Uninsured Driver Denied Compensation in Dispute with QBE
Uninsured Driver Denied Compensation in Dispute with QBE
The uninsured motorist, disputing QBE's decision to hold him responsible and requiring payment for damages, sought redress through AFCA. He claimed the QBE-insurer's customer triggered the incident by stopping abruptly, without warning, following the fire truck's activation of sirens and lights.
Despite lacking dashcam footage, AFCA reviewed a Queensland Fire Department statement suggesting the distraction and subsequent collision were foreseeable due to the fire truck's presence at a blind corner. Although acknowledging that the QBE customer was potentially negligent for stopping suddenly without adequate warning, AFCA maintained the road rules require drivers to maintain a safe distance to prevent such accidents.
The adjudication concluded that a sufficient following distance was lacking, which could have otherwise allowed the uninsured driver to avert the collision, rendering the complaint unsubstantiated for coverage of his damages. Consequently, the tribunal found him responsible for a portion of the crash alongside the QBE-insured driver.
The ruling bars the uninsured from receiving compensation for his vehicle damage, legal fees, or money paid to QBE, citing jurisdiction limits. Yet, it mandated QBE to issue a $500 compensation for originally misleading the uninsured driver with incorrect statements regarding cost bearing.
Published:Friday, 21st Mar 2025
Source: Paige Estritori
Share this news item:
| Heightened Road Risks During Holiday Season: Insurers Issue Warnings 20 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori As the Australian summer school holidays coincide with peak freight activity, insurers and transport specialists are raising concerns about heightened road risks. The surge in freight traffic, coupled with increased holiday travel, amplifies the potential for road incidents, particularly involving heavy vehicles. - read more |
| Insuregroup's Remarkable Growth in Truck Insurance Policies 20 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori Insuregroup, a specialist insurance brokerage serving Australia's transport and logistics sector, has recently announced a significant milestone: processing over 10,000 insurance policies since its inception, with a 25% increase in policy volume over the past year. This growth underscores the escalating demand for comprehensive truck insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of Australian freight operators. - read more |
| NTARC Report Identifies Inattention and Speed as Primary Factors in Major Truck Crashes 20 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has released its latest Major Incident Investigation Report, shedding light on the predominant causes of significant truck crashes across Australia. The findings reveal that human factors, particularly inattention, distraction, and inappropriate speed, continue to be the leading contributors to these incidents. - read more |
| TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Policies 19 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori In a significant development for policyholders, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection (IP) policies. This initiative, effective from August 8, 2025, aims to incentivise proactive health management by offering premium discounts to clients who engage in preventative health checks. - read more |
| From Illness to Injury: Understanding the Scope of Income Protection Insurance In the uncertain times we face today, where both health and economic climates are unpredictable, safeguarding your financial stability becomes paramount. This is where income protection insurance steps in as an essential safety net. For many Australian families, it's the buffer that ensures life's financial commitments are met, even when ability to work is compromised. - read more
|
| What Australians Need to Know Before Choosing an Income Protection Plan Income protection insurance is a critical safety net for Australians, offering financial security in the event that one is unable to work due to illness or injury. The peace of mind it brings cannot be overstated, as it ensures that individuals and their families can maintain their standard of living even when the unexpected happens. - read more
|
| The importance of Income Protection Insurance for Employees While some people might think that income protection insurance is only for self-employed individuals, this is not accurate. This type of insurance is just as beneficial for employees, because accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. Workers' compensation provides only limited coverage, and most employees don't have much more than a few weeks' sick leave accrued. Of course, if you have more than one job, the situation becomes more of a concern if you are injured at one workplace resulting in being unable to work at either. - read more
|
| The Impact of Health and Medical History on Insurance Premiums Life insurance is a critical component of a sound financial plan. It provides financial security and peace of mind to you and your loved ones, ensuring that they are taken care of in the event of your untimely death. - read more
|
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for expenses before your insurance company covers the remaining costs.