Driving without insurance, even for hours, may turn costly: Kerala MVD highlights ₹42 lakh fine case

Kerala: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has issued a strong warning to vehicle owners following a tribunal ruling in Kottayam that ordered a car owner and her son to pay ₹42 lakh to the family of a motorbike rider who died in a collision.

The MVD highlighted the dangers of driving with expired insurance, noting that even a lapse of a few hours can lead to serious liability. Officials stressed that vehicle owners must check expiry dates carefully and avoid using vehicles in public without third-party insurance.

Under the 1988 Central Motor Vehicles Act, Sections 146 and 196, driving without valid insurance can attract three months’ imprisonment, a fine of ₹2,000, or both. Third-party insurance is mandatory to protect vehicle owners from the enormous compensation liabilities arising from accidents.

Fatal accident on NH 183

The tribunal case stemmed from a crash on 27 March 2023 at 4:25 pm on the Kottayam-Kumali National Highway 183. The car, travelling from Kanjirappally towards Kottayam, collided with 19-year-old Ananthu K. Venu’s motorbike near A.K.J.M. School, Kanjirappally.

Ananthu was thrown from his bike and fell face down. Despite being rushed to Kottayam Medical College Hospital, he died on the same day.

Tribunal verdict and compensation

The Additional Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Kottayam, presided over by Judge S. Subhash, ruled that the car owner and her son must jointly pay ₹42 lakh in compensation to Ananthu’s family.

The car was being driven by the owner’s 19-year-old son, Nabeel Basheer, and its insurance had expired, though it had coverage under United India Insurance Company until midnight on the day of the crash.

Advocate V.B. Binu, representing the petitioners, said the ruling underlines the importance of renewing insurance on time, noting the vehicle had coverage only hours before the incident.