Thailand: Rule change excludes drunk drivers from insurance cover
Source: Asia Insurance Review | Apr 2017
The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has announced that motorists caught driving when drunk will soon find that they are not covered by insurance in cases of accidents.
A driver will not be covered if his blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds the legal limit of 50 milligrammes per cent (about two glass of beer), compared to 150mg per cent at present.
OIC Secretary-General Suthiphol Thavichaikam said that the regulator would amend the regulations covering exclusion for claims so that insurance policies would be in line with the 1994 Land Traffic Act, which sets the BAC ceiling at 50mg per cent.
“The amendment is necessary because the existing rule may encourage motorists to get drunk, knowing they are covered if accidents happen,” said Mr Suthiphol.
Around 24,000 people are estimated to die on Thai roads every year. Drunk driving and speeding account for a significant proportion of the fatalities.