New Delhi: Insurance companies are not liable to pay compensation to the families of drivers who died in accidents caused by negligent driving. The Supreme Court has ruled that there will be no compensation for deaths resulting from daredevil driving. Persons who die while driving in a negligent and dangerous manner, or during stunt-driving performances, are not entitled to compensation,” the justice stated. On June 18, 2014, the Supreme Court dismissed the request for compensation by the family of N.S. Ravisha, who died in a vehicle accident in Karnataka.
The court pointed out that Ravisha was driving negligently and at excessive speed in violation of traffic regulations. The court noted that Ravisha was a contractor earning ₹300,000 per month, and hence, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal’s claim for ₹8 million in compensation was rejected. The Supreme Court has confirmed that when someone is responsible for their own accident, it is not covered by their insurance policy.