14 cases in which comprehensive insurance will not cover you

Having car insurance is an essential requirement to be able to drive a car. Without insurance, we can forget about driving, but there are several types of insurance, so we can choose one type or another according to our needs. Comprehensive insurance is the most complete and protects us even in the event of an accident caused by our own hand. But although it is often thought that comprehensive insurance will compensate us for any reason, there are occasions when it will not. These are 14 cases in which comprehensive insurance will not cover you.

Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol

Even if you are covered by comprehensive insurance, if it is proven that the accident occurred while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the insurance will not cover it.

Car with more people than authorised

Most cars have a maximum capacity of five occupants, including the driver. Others, such as city cars, have four seats and there are others that have seven seats. Either way, if the maximum number of occupants is exceeded, the insurance will not cover the accident.

Self-inflicted damage

No insurance will cover damage deliberately caused by the owner, in order to claim the insurance. For this, it has assessors and, if necessary, private detectives who can investigate the specific case.

Non-payment of insurance premiums

Watch out for the insurance premium payment deadlines. If one is unpaid or the payment has simply been delayed, you could find yourself facing the company’s refusal to pay the compensation.

Collisions with family members or close people

Insurance companies are distrustful and if there is a collision with a family member, a neighbour or a close friend, they will suspect fraud. The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” does not apply to insurance. In this case, they could refuse outright and investigate the case through assessors or private detectives.

Taking part in races

Racing drivers have a specific insurance. If you use the car to take part in races, such as rallies, or take it onto a track to race alone, you will find that the insurance does not cover these situations. It goes without saying that the insurer will not want to know anything if it is an illegal race.

Cars with unapproved or undeclared modifications

The insurer will not pay for the damage if the car has been modified and these replaced parts have not been declared to the insurer, nor approved. Even in the second case, if it is not reported to the company, it may refuse to pay for the damage.

Being under 25 years old

Drivers under 25 find it hard to get insurance that covers them. Either the premiums are very high or they simply cannot sign them. Even if a person under 25 has insurance in another person’s name, if they are not named on the policy, the insurance company may not cover the accident.

Driving with an expired MOT

The Vehicle Technical Inspection must always be valid. If it has not been carried out, there is not only the possibility of a hefty fine, but also that in the event of an accident or breakdown, the company may not cover it.

Driving near the sea or a lake

If the car falls into the sea or a lake through carelessness, you can forget about comprehensive insurance. If you transport the car by ferry or any other type of vessel, it is the boat’s insurance that covers the car’s integrity, not the car’s own policy.

Off-road driving

Even if it is a SUV, not all insurance policies cover off-road driving. It is better to make sure and, if you have to drive off-track, across the countryside, it is better to take out insurance that covers it.

Failure to assist at an accident

Failure to assist is an offence, so you must always give help at an accident, to the extent of your abilities. Therefore, if this rule is not followed in an accident you are involved in, the company may refuse to pay for your own damage, although it will always pay for damage to third parties.

Natural disaster or riot

If the damage to the vehicle has been caused by a natural disaster, such as a downpour, a hurricane, an earthquake or any other cause considered a natural disaster, we must forget about compensation from the insurer. If the damage was caused by a riot, such as a strike or a demonstration, it will not be covered either.

Car theft

If the car has been stolen and damage has been caused by the thief, the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (Spanish Insurance Compensation Consortium) will be responsible for it. However, if the perpetrator is identified, it may claim it back from them.