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Madras High Court· 08 September 2026

Does the onus lie on the insurer to prove that the driver had no valid driving licence and that policy conditions were breached?

HDFC ERGO GENERAL INSURANCE CO LTD v. P.ANILKUMAR
CMA.3505/2021 · CMA No. 3505 of 2021
Coram: Justice M.Jothiraman
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Answer

The onus lies on the insurer to prove that the driver had no valid driving licence and that policy conditions were breached.

Yes. The onus lies on the insurer to prove that the driver had no valid driving licence and that policy conditions were breached. Where the driver did not possess a valid driving licence and there is a breach of policy conditions, pay and recover can be ordered in cases of third-party risks.

Headnote

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — s.61 — s.66 — Third-party claim — Fundamental breach of policy conditions — Pay and recover — Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — s.147 — Third-party risk — Pay and recover — Held: An insurer must satisfy a third-party award first and recover from the insured, the principle of pay and recover applying even where a fundamental breach of policy conditions is proved. (¶14) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — s.61 — Unregistered trailer — Liability of the tractor's insurer — Held further: The insurer of a tractor is liable for third-party compensation though an unregistered trailer was attached to it, the trailer having no independent motor of its own. (¶14) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — s.149 — Driving licence — Onus on the insurer — Held further: The onus lies on the insurer to prove that the driver held no valid driving licence and that policy conditions were breached. Appeal partly allowed. (¶13, 15)

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In the Court's own words
Paragraph 13A perusal of Ex.R5= Ex.P6 – Driving Licence of the Tractor driver by name Saravanan shows that the licence was issued on 11.08.2005 and valid up to 13.08.2008 and the accident occurred on 19.10.2016. The fact remains that as per Ex.R5 = Ex.P6 – Driving Licence shows the licence to driver vehicle throughout India with the descriptions mentioned therein and valid up to 13.08.2008. However, the Tribunal has come to the conclusion that on perusal of the Driving Licence, the same was issued on 11.08.2005 and valid upto 12.08.2008 and rejected the contention of the Insurance Company that the Tractor Driver had no driving licence at the time of accident is unsustainable in law and the said finding is liable to be set aside.
Paragraph 14As per the evidence of PW1, Trailer was attached with Tractor and on perusal of Ex.R2 = Ex.P5 – copy of the Insurance Policy shows that the Insurance Policy was issued only in respect of the Tractor only bearing Reg.No.TN 83 W 5427 and no details of the Trailer attached was neither mentioned nor any premium was received by the Insurance Company covering any liability. At this juncture, it is relevant to refer the judgment of this Court dated 22.02.2021 in CMA.No.1640 of 2017 [Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., v. Lakshmi and Others] wherein it has been held as follows:
Acts & Sections
s.61 Motor Vehicles Act, 1988s.66 Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

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Also decided in this judgment
Must an insurer satisfy a third-party award first and recover from the insured where a fundamental breach of policy conditions is proved?Is the insurer of a tractor liable for third-party compensation though an unregistered trailer was attached to it?
Plain-language answer prepared by the LexStreak Editorial Desk — verify against the judgment. Source: Madras High Court. Corrections