Income Insurance Australia :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Uninsured Driver Denied Compensation in Dispute with QBE

Uninsured Driver Denied Compensation in Dispute with QBE

Uninsured Driver Denied Compensation in Dispute with QBE?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has ruled in favour of QBE Insurance in a case where an uninsured driver attempted to secure compensation following a collision involving a fire truck.
The incident occurred when the QBE-insured driver paused at an intersection to allow a fire truck to pass, leading to the uninsured driver impacting their vehicle.

The uninsured motorist, disputing QBE's decision to hold him responsible and requiring payment for damages, sought redress through AFCA. He claimed the QBE-insurer's customer triggered the incident by stopping abruptly, without warning, following the fire truck's activation of sirens and lights.

Despite lacking dashcam footage, AFCA reviewed a Queensland Fire Department statement suggesting the distraction and subsequent collision were foreseeable due to the fire truck's presence at a blind corner. Although acknowledging that the QBE customer was potentially negligent for stopping suddenly without adequate warning, AFCA maintained the road rules require drivers to maintain a safe distance to prevent such accidents.

The adjudication concluded that a sufficient following distance was lacking, which could have otherwise allowed the uninsured driver to avert the collision, rendering the complaint unsubstantiated for coverage of his damages. Consequently, the tribunal found him responsible for a portion of the crash alongside the QBE-insured driver.

The ruling bars the uninsured from receiving compensation for his vehicle damage, legal fees, or money paid to QBE, citing jurisdiction limits. Yet, it mandated QBE to issue a $500 compensation for originally misleading the uninsured driver with incorrect statements regarding cost bearing.

Published:Friday, 21st Mar 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Income Protection Demand Rises as Australians Revisit Personal Cover
Income Protection Demand Rises as Australians Revisit Personal Cover
24 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
New market data points to a meaningful lift in Australians taking out individual income protection insurance, suggesting more households are reassessing how they would manage financially if illness or injury interrupted their pay. - read more
HESTA Announces Significant Insurance Fee Reductions and Enhanced Member Protections
HESTA Announces Significant Insurance Fee Reductions and Enhanced Member Protections
26 May 2026: Paige Estritori
HESTA, a prominent Australian superannuation fund, has unveiled a series of changes aimed at providing more accessible and affordable insurance coverage for its members. Effective from 1 July 2026, these adjustments include an average 12% reduction in insurance fees across all cover types, encompassing death, total and permanent disablement (TPD), and income protection cover. - read more
Acenda Life Introduces Significant Updates to Income Protection Policies
Acenda Life Introduces Significant Updates to Income Protection Policies
26 May 2026: Paige Estritori
Acenda Life has recently implemented a series of updates to its Retail Life Insurance portfolio, effective from 11 April 2026. These changes are designed to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for Australians seeking income protection insurance, addressing common concerns about policy limitations and entry age restrictions. - read more
AFCA Backs Insurer in Income Protection Offset Case
AFCA Backs Insurer in Income Protection Offset Case
26 May 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of Nippon Life Insurance in a dispute concerning income protection (IP) offsets, confirming an overpayment of nearly $18,000 and supporting the insurer's decision to suspend benefits during the reconciliation of compulsory third party (CTP) income. - read more
HESTA Announces 12% Reduction in Insurance Fees to Benefit Members
HESTA Announces 12% Reduction in Insurance Fees to Benefit Members
18 May 2026: Paige Estritori
HESTA, a leading Australian superannuation fund, has unveiled a significant reduction in insurance fees, aiming to make coverage more accessible and affordable for its members. Effective from 1 July 2026, the fund will implement an average 12% decrease across all insurance cover types, including death, total and permanent disablement (TPD), and income protection. - read more


Life Insurance Articles

Income Protection Insurance: A Must-Have for Australian Adults
Income Protection Insurance: A Must-Have for Australian Adults
Insurance is a crucial component of financial planning. While many Australians understand the importance of life insurance, there's another vital type of coverage that often gets overlooked: income protection insurance. - read more
Why Every Australian Entrepreneur Needs Income Protection Insurance
Why Every Australian Entrepreneur Needs Income Protection Insurance
Entrepreneurship in Australia - a landscape overview: The allure of entrepreneurship in Australia is undeniable, with the promise of innovation, personal autonomy, and potentially limitless earnings. However, the path of an entrepreneur is often unpaved and unpredictable. Without the safety nets traditionally provided by corporate employment, Australian entrepreneurs must proactively safeguard their personal finances against the capricious winds of business fortune. - read more
The Role of Rehabilitation Benefits in Income Protection Insurance
The Role of Rehabilitation Benefits in Income Protection Insurance
When the unexpected strikes, such as an illness or injury hindering our ability to earn a living, the financial repercussions can be devastating. This is where income protection insurance becomes a pivotal part of our financial safety net, ensuring a stream of income during challenging times. - read more
Navigating Pre-existing Conditions in Income Protection Insurance
Navigating Pre-existing Conditions in Income Protection Insurance
Income protection insurance is a safety net that many Australians rely on to secure their financial future in the event of illness or injury preventing them from working. It's a type of policy that provides a replacement income if you are unable to earn your regular income due to a health-related absence from the workplace. - read more
Breaking Down Common Income Protection Insurance Terms
Breaking Down Common Income Protection Insurance Terms
Income protection insurance is designed to provide financial support if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It aims to replace a portion of your income during such times, ensuring you can maintain your lifestyle and meet financial obligations. - read more


Start Here !
disability protection
Apply now for your free Insurance assessment and price comparisons!

Start Here:

Cover Type:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.