Driving a motor vehicle with faulty components such as worn-out tyres or malfunctioning headlights can increase the likelihood of being in a car accident. If you experience an auto crash and don't upkeep your vehicle appropriately, your insurance company may refuse your claim, blaming negligence. Your motor insurer can ascertain the state of your vehicle before the accident by consulting a variety of sources.
Operating a vehicle that has damaged, hairless, or underinflated tyres can be unsafe, as it can result in traffic mishaps. Defective tyres can cause blowouts, which can lead to catastrophes. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, yearly, nearly 11,000 accidents involving tyres occur, resulting in more than 600 deaths.
Maintenance of your car is an essential expenditure associated with owning a vehicle. If you don't keep your vehicle well-maintained and have an accident, your insurer might reject your claim.
Similarly, worn-out brakes can cause brake failure, while low oil levels can make your vehicle's engine overheat and potentially shut down on the road. Similarly, faulty headlights or indicators reduce your car's visibility, increasing the chance of an accident.
Insurers stress vehicular maintenance, and some policies have maintenance clauses mandating you to keep your car in a safe operating condition. If an insurer proves that negligence led to the accident, they may deny your claim or reduce the payout amount since proper maintenance could have averted the accident.
Most states permit insurance companies to reject requests based on insufficient vehicle maintenance. Insurers use several resources to establish your vehicle's state before submitting a claim. Police reports often mark visible issues such as bald tyres or damaged lights. Claims adjusters inspect the car thoroughly, scrutinising service records or Carfax reports to determine if regular maintenance was overlooked.
To evade potential claim denial, maintain a record of your car's maintenance history, encompassing inspections, repairs, and routine services such as oil changes and tyre replacements. A well-documented maintenance history can shield you against claim denial and facilitate a quicker settlement. It can also assist you in adhering to a regular auto service schedule. Remember, if you own a vehicle, it's your duty to keep it in a roadworthy condition. Damaged or worn-out parts can cause a traffic accident, and inadequately maintained vehicle could result in your insurance claim being rejected.