Minor Driving is Fundamental Insurance Breach: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that permitting or negligently allowing a minor without a valid licence to drive constitutes a fundamental breach of the insurance policy under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The case arose from an accident caused by a minor, prompting the Court to examine liability. Emphasising that driving requires legal competence and maturity, the Court stated that elders have a clear duty to prevent minors from operating vehicles. 

The Court ruled that such a breach disentitles the insurer from liability, thereby placing responsibility for compensation on the minor driver and the vehicle owner. The Tribunal’s contrary findings were set aside accordingly.

[Branch Manager United Insurance Pvt. Ltd. v Maneesh Kumar Singrore]