NO to No-Fault for Drunk Drivers

by Ryan Hanley
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New York’s Gov. David Paterson recently vetoed a bill that would repeal the Alcohol Exclusion law.  The Alcohol Exclusion act allows insurance carriers to deny personal injury protection coverage (commonly known as no-fault) to drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.  However no-fault benefits are provided to passengers of DWI violators.

In this article on IIABNY.com, IIABNY Chair Neil L Sullivan claimed Paterson’s veto as a victory for all NYS law abiding citizens.  However the medical community did not applaud Gov. Paterson’s decision as can be seen in this Nassau County Medical Society press release.

Despite medical providers noble words that the Alcohol Exclusion law promotes inequality, there efforts seem more like an attempt to divert the cost of treating these individuals from Health insurers onto Auto insurers.

Personally, I congratulate Gov. Paterson for making a strong decision to not penalize drivers who choose not to drink! (At least he’s done ONE thing right…)

How would repealing the Alchohol Exclusion law penalize law-abiding citizens (atleast the one’s that don’t drink and drive)?  The increased cost to Auto insurers, if forced to cover the medical expense resulting from a DWI accident, will most certainly be passed along to all drivers.  Basically your premiums go up because someone else decided to get hammered and go for a ride.  I’m not really a big fan of that as an agent or as an Auto insurance consumer.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposely only. There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered and the author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions take or not taken by the readers based upon such information.

Thank you,

Ryan H.

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About Ryan Hanley

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  • http://www.blogengage.com/blogger/ bbrian017

    Well I’m sort of the fence with this one. Firstly don’t get me wrong I hate people who drink and drive but if they are loaded enough to not think about the consequences should they be help liable and not covered for personal injury?

    This really is a tricky situation but once again the insurance companies are trying to scam. They want to collect collect but pay less all the time. What an amazing business to get into.

  • http://www.blogengage.com/blogger/ bbrian017

    Well I’m sort of the fence with this one. Firstly don’t get me wrong I hate people who drink and drive but if they are loaded enough to not think about the consequences should they be help liable and not covered for personal injury?

    This really is a tricky situation but once again the insurance companies are trying to scam. They want to collect collect but pay less all the time. What an amazing business to get into.

  • Pingback: Higher Liability Limits Save Families with Teen Drivers | Albany Insurance Professional

  • http://www.guilderlandagency.com Ryan Hanley

    In NYS, the coverage commonly referred to as No-Fault is officially called Personal Injury Protection and would be more appropriately nicknamed “regardless of fault” benefits. In a non-dwi scenario, these benefits pay no matter what the situation and regardless of who’s at fault.

    Thank you

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • http://www.ryanhanley.com/about Ryan Hanley

    In NYS, the coverage commonly referred to as No-Fault is officially called Personal Injury Protection and would be more appropriately nicknamed “regardless of fault” benefits. In a non-dwi scenario, these benefits pay no matter what the situation and regardless of who’s at fault.

    Thank you

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.

  • Heimer

    How is it even possible that someone can be drunk and involved in a no-fault accident? If somehow it is possible, then alcohol certainly can’t play a part in it. Therefore I’d say it’s unfair to deny no-fault claims.

  • Heimer

    How is it even possible that someone can be drunk and involved in a no-fault accident? If somehow it is possible, then alcohol certainly can’t play a part in it. Therefore I’d say it’s unfair to deny no-fault claims.