Court Awards 30,000 Shekels to Car Owner After Ants Damage Vehicle
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
A car owner will receive approximately 30,000 shekels in compensation after a court ruled that an ant infestation damaging his vehicle's battery control unit is a covered insurance event. The Rehovot Magistrate's Court awarded the damages, including direct costs, appraiser fees, and legal expenses, to the policyholder who sued Agricultural Insurance Company. The court criticized the insurer's passive handling of the claim, stating the policy's purpose is to provide security, not create obstacles. The insurance company is currently reviewing the ruling.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A car owner was awarded approximately 30,000 shekels after ants damaged his vehicle's battery control unit.
- The Rehovot Magistrate's Court ruled the ant infestation was a covered insurance event under a comprehensive policy.
- The insurance company initially denied coverage, claiming it was an excluded mechanical or electrical malfunction.
- Judge Keren Wexler criticized the insurer's passive approach to handling the claim.
- The court awarded damages for direct costs, appraiser fees, court expenses, and attorney fees.
- The insurance company is reviewing the court's decision and its legal implications.
A car owner has been awarded approximately 30,000 shekels in compensation after a court recognized an ant infestation damaging a vehicle's computer system as an insurable event. The Rehovot Magistrate's Court ruled in favor of the policyholder, who had sued Agricultural Insurance Company after ants and their eggs infiltrated the control unit of his Hyundai Ioniq hybrid's high-voltage battery in June 2022. The incident caused a short circuit and irreparable damage.
The insurance company initially refused to cover the damage to the battery itself, arguing it was a mechanical or electrical malfunction explicitly excluded by the policy. They claimed the damage was limited to the Battery Management System (BMS) and that the garage's diagnostic process was unprofessional. The insurer had previously paid 6,747 shekels before the lawsuit was filed.
However, the court, presided over by Judge Keren Wexler, had previously determined that the ant infestation constituted an "accident of any kind" and was covered under the comprehensive insurance policy. In a recent ruling on the extent of damages, the judge awarded the plaintiff approximately 19,400 shekels for direct damages and appraiser fees (minus the amount already paid), 3,000 shekels for expenses related to court appearances, and 6,000 shekels for attorney fees.
Judge Wexler criticized the insurance company's passive approach, stating that the policy's purpose is to provide peace of mind, not to create obstacles. She noted that the insurer should have actively sent an expert to oversee the diagnostic process rather than waiting to dispute it after the fact. The court rejected the plaintiff's request for special interest due to the insurer's conduct.
Attorney Gad Leibman, representing the plaintiff, stated that the ruling reaffirms the essence of an insurance contract as a safety net. He highlighted that the court found the insurance expert's claims to be unsubstantiated and that the situation placed an unreasonable burden on the average citizen. Agricultural Insurance Company stated it is reviewing the ruling and its legal implications.
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