Danish Thief Entitled to Insurance

The Danish Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a car’s insurance covers anybody who rides in it – even a thief. Last month, the court ruled that a man severely injured during a crash in a stolen car is entitled to full coverage from the car owner’s third-party insurance.

The decision was first reported Tuesday in the newspaper Politiken according to the Associate Press. Under the ruling, the thief is entitled to $101,800 in insurance benefits. The accident in question occurred in 1992 when the thief, then 15, and two other passengers were riding in the stolen car, which was driven by a 14-year-old driver who lost control at 105 mph.

The 15-year-old and the other two passengers were fined for the theft, while the driver was let off because he was too young to be held criminally responsible under Danish law, the Associated Press reported.

Unlike the other three boys, the 15-year-old was hurt in the crash. He was the only one to file for compensation. The insurance company, Alm. Brand, claimed the now-23-year-old man was not entitled to compensation because he displayed gross negligence by stealing the car.

However, the court said in its June 26 verdict that only the driver can be blamed for gross negligence and the passenger was therefore entitled to full coverage.

Topics Auto