Case Studies

The following case summaries highlight common issues and consumer tips. Cases can be filtered by subject below and names have been changed to protect confidentiality. Access to the full case study database is available for IFSO Scheme Participants in the Participant Area.

Showing all Vehicle Insurance case studies

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No evidence of car service; claim declined

Ani's insurance claim was declined because she had breached the service requirement condition in her policy.
Vehicle Insurance

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Fraudulent insurance claim backfires

A man who made a fraudulent insurance claim for his car is now uninsured and could lose his house.
Vehicle Insurance fraud

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Business or displeasure?

Graham’s insurance claim was declined because he had not told his insurer he was using his vehicle for business purposes.
Vehicle Insurance

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Flood damaged car not fully covered

In this case, the insurer should have clearly notified its customer of the unusual reduction in the agreed value of his car.
Vehicle Insurance Agreed Value

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Payout brings more pain

Cover confusion causes more pain for severely injured man

In a recent complaint to the IFSO Scheme, Sai* was seriously injured in a car accident, and suffered...
Vehicle Insurance Agreed Value Sum Insured

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Complaint insurer misunderstood the term “off-roading”

A man complained his insurer had an incorrect understanding of the term “off-roading”.

He told the IFSO Scheme his claim was declined after his 4-wheel drive stopped in the middle of a river.
Vehicle Insurance

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Son crashes car, no cover

Check your policy for exclusions. Insurers must act with reasonable care and skill.

Cora's car insurance claim was declined because her son was excluded as a driver. But Cora said he was covered.
Vehicle Insurance

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Stolen car, no cover

Disclose past criminal convictions when you apply for insurance.

Tim's claim, for his stolen car, was declined because he hadn’t mentioned his criminal convictions. Tim said he wasn’t asked.
Vehicle Insurance

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The van, the can and the boom

Don’t tell tall tales – your claim will be checked.

Jean Paul claimed his van caught fire because a petrol can was knocked over during “sort of a romantic meeting”.
Vehicle Insurance False Statements

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A car bumped into me - no it didn’t

False statements can’t be retracted, and all policy holders are implicated.

Mr Green tried to withdraw a claim as he had told a “bit of a lie”. But it was too late.
Vehicle Insurance False Statements

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Teenage son flips parents’ car

It’s unlikely you’ll have cover if an accident occurs when you’re in breach of licence.

Simon, on a restricted licence, flipped his parents’ car while his sister was in the passenger seat.
Vehicle Insurance

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No cover for learner driver with passengers

Don’t expect to be covered if an accident occurs when you’re in breach of licence.

When Karl, with a learner driver’s licence, crashed on the Rimutaka ranges, he had 3 passengers. His claim was declined.
Vehicle Insurance

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