Drivers taking prescription medications need to check when it is safe to drive to ensure they are covered by their car insurance, according to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme). This warning follows a case where a sleeping pill nearly led to a denied insurance claim.
“Many people think ‘driving under the influence’ only applies to recreational drugs and alcohol, but one in four prescriptions are for medications that can impair driving. Vehicle insurance policies contain conditions which can mean cover may be declined if they drive while under the influence of medication,” Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens said.
A recent case reviewed by the IFSO Scheme involved “Rose”, a named driver on her sister’s car insurance policy. Rose had an accident at 10 a.m. after failing to stop at a red light, resulting in a collision. When her sister filed a claim for the damages, the insurer inquired whether Rose had taken any medication in the 24 hours before the accident. Rose admitted to taking half a sleeping pill at 11 p.m. the night before.
The insurer declined the claim based on a policy exclusion for any loss, damage, or liability if the vehicle is driven by someone under the influence of an intoxicating substance or drug. The IFSO Scheme's investigation revealed that Rose's doctor advised not driving within eight hours of taking the medication. Since the accident occurred 11 hours after Rose took the sleeping pill, she was in compliance with her doctor's guidance and the insurance policy conditions.
“In this case, Rose had followed her doctor’s guidance and had not driven within eight hours of taking the medication. This meant she was complying with the conditions of her insurance policy, and the insurer could not decline her claim. There was no evidence that Rose had been under the influence of an intoxicating drug,” Stevens said.
Following the investigation, the insurer agreed to settle the claim, covering the cost of the damaged vehicles, storage fees, and an additional $1,000 for special inconvenience.
Rose’s case shows that insurers consider whether prescription medications have been taken when assessing vehicle accident claims. Stevens advises those who take prescription drugs—even painkillers, heart, and allergy medications—to check the guidance about when it is safe to drive after taking it.
“If you take sleeping pills later in the night and then drive to work early the next morning, you are at risk of causing problems if you need to claim on your insurance. Not to mention you’re also breaking the law and being unsafe on the roads,” Stevens said.
