Common exclusions in insurance policies

There are times when an insurer will not pay out damages, due to exclusions that are included within the policy detail. This is why it is important that you always look at exactly what your insurance policy covers and that you understand the exclusions.

An example of an exclusion

You are under the influence of alcohol and drive a car into a pile. You file a claim with your car insurance company and want to receive compensation for the damage. In this case, the insurer will not pay for the damage because there is an alcohol clause in the car insurance policy.

Overview of insurance exclusions

There are many exclusions within insurance policies, with some specific exclusions differing from insurer to insurer and case to case. There are more exclusions than you may initially think, so we’ve put together an overview list of what you can expect to be excluded on certain insurance policies.

Exclusions from WA third-party insurance

• You are driving without a valid driver's licence

• The damage occurred because you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• The driver drove your car without permission

• The damage occurred during a speed race

• The damage was caused intentionally

• The car was rented to someone else

• Other passengers were transported for a fee (no carpooling)

Exclusions from AVP

• Intentionally inflicted damage

• Damage to certain items without supervision

• Damage caused to property belonging to the insured parties

• Damage caused by or with motor vehicles

• Damage by or with aircraft

• Damage due to acts of war or nuclear reactions

• Damage caused by someone living abroad

• Damage caused by weapons without a permit and hunting (hunter's risk can often be co-insured)

Exclusions from car insurance

• You are driving without a valid driver's licence

• The damage occurred because you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• The driver drove your car without permission

• The damage occurred during a speed race

• The damage was caused intentionally

• The car was rented to someone else

• Other passengers were transported for a fee (no carpooling)

Catastrophe

With all insurance policies, including car insurance, damage that occurs in the event of a catastrophe is not insured. By catastrophe we mean a natural disaster, war, riot or a nuclear event. A flood is popularly called a catastrophe, but it is covered by car insurance.

Damage to victims

Damage to victims (personal injury) is always compensated. This is the principle of liability insurance. After all, a victim should not be the victim of the driver's mistake.

Exclusions in practice

Classic insurance policies cover the situations that are covered in the policy, and by definition this excludes anything not mentioned. An all-risk insurance policy, on the other hand, covers almost all forms of damage if a number of conditions are met, except for situations that are explicitly excluded by the policy conditions.

General exclusions that always apply

In addition to the specific exclusions that may be stated in the policy conditions, there are also general exclusions that always apply, even if they are not explicitly included in the contract. These are specific to contract law. One of these general exclusions is cheating. If the Insurer can prove that the Insured has intentionally misrepresented the facts or has deliberately lied, the Insurer may refuse to pay any compensation. It is important to know that these general exclusions always apply and cannot be prevented by means of additional insurance. Below, you can find ther exclusions by insurance type.

Motorcycle insurance

• Use other than permitted by law

• Atomic Nuclear Reactions

• If the engine is impounded or requisitioned

• Conflict, civil war, insurrection, riot

• Driving around with an invalid driver's licence

• Driving under the influence

• Off-road driving

• Motorbike rental

Legal assistance insurance

• Impending natural disasters

• Acting negligently

• Disputes related to claims of others

• Industrial or intellectual property disputes

• Tax disputes

• Disputes about allowances and the like (with the exception of the Fiscal and Assets module)

• Disputes about laws or regulations that the government has adopted or intends to adopt and that apply to everyone

• A dispute about the insurance itself

• A dispute taken on by the insured person's own lawyer or other legal expert

• On suspicion of a criminal offense

Accident Insurance

• Fraud

• Dangerous sports

• When you risk your own life

• Brawls

• Medicines and stimulants

Contents insurance

• Damage from riots or war

• Damage from natural disasters

• Atomic Nuclear Reactions

• Damage as a result of a poorly maintained home

• Construction errors related to the home

• Damage as a result of precipitation (because, for example, you left a door or window open)

• Intentional loss of or damage to your belongings

• Limited coverage: audio-visual equipment, art and antique objects, personal jewellery, money

Building insurance

• Flooding

• Earthquakes

• Atomic Nuclear Reactions

• Rioting

• Uprisings/war

• Design defects

• Recklessness

• Deferred maintenance

Casco insurance

• You are driving without a valid driver's license

• The damage occurred because you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• The driver drove your car without permission

• The damage occurred during a speed race

• The damage was caused intentionally

• The car was rented to someone else

• Other passengers were transported for a fee (no carpooling)

Professional liability insurance

• Liability for property damage or personal injury

• Damage due to intent

• Damage due to recklessness

• Damage resulting from an infringement of intellectual property rights

• Branches abroad

• Property crimes (such as fraud and theft)

Business liability insurance

• Damage to delivered goods

• Recalls, replacements, enhancements, repairs

• Re-executing work that has already been done

• Damage caused with or by motor vehicles

• Professional misconduct

• Limited cover for damage from third parties related to environmental degradation

Liability insurance for self-employed persons

• Damage to delivered goods

• Recalls, replacements, enhancements, repairs

• Re-executing work that has already been done

• Damage caused with or by motor vehicles

• Professional misconduct

• Limited cover for damage from third parties related to environmental degradation

Youngtimer insurance

• Damage caused by intent

• Damage caused by driving without a driver's license

• Damage caused by the abuse of alcohol or drugs

• Damage caused during rental or transport against payment

• Roadside assistance

Classic car insurance

• Damage caused by intent

• Damage caused by driving without a driver's license

• Damage caused by the abuse of alcohol or drugs

• Damage caused during rental or transport against payment

• Roadside assistance

All-risk car insurance

• You are driving without a valid driver's license

• The damage occurred because you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• The driver drove your car without permission

• The damage occurred during a speed race

• The damage was caused intentionally

• The car was rented to someone else

• Other passengers were transported for a fee (no carpooling)fa