By Staff Reporter
A drunk driver who caused a crash that left a luxury vehicle worth Dh293,099 completely destroyed has been ordered by the Abu Dhabi Commercial Court to repay Dh86,099 to an insurance company. The amount represents the outstanding balance the insurer covered after compensating the car owner and later selling the wreck, according to a report by Emarat Al Youm.
Court documents reveal that the insurance company filed a civil claim demanding Dh86,099, in addition to interest and legal fees. As evidence, the firm submitted the traffic accident report, the insurance policy, a total-loss assessment, and the criminal judgment confirming the driver’s conviction for driving under the influence. The defendant did not attend the hearings despite formal notification.
The insurer explained that it paid the vehicle owner the full insured value of Dh293,099 after the accident, which occurred while the defendant was intoxicated. The damage exceeded the car’s market value, leading to it being declared a total loss. The wreck was later sold for Dh207,000, leaving a deficit of Dh86,099 that the company sought to recover.
The court noted that the driver’s conviction for drunk driving constituted a violation of the unified insurance policy, which allows insurers to reclaim compensation if the driver was under the influence at the time of the incident. The defendant did not dispute the accident report or the intoxication findings.
The court ruled that the driver must repay the Dh86,099 shortfall, along with 5% annual interest capped at the principal amount, and cover all court fees and legal expenses.
