Should you be able to insure yourself against breaking the law? Well you can. Just buy a L.O.L. Assist policy (and not, it is not "Laughing Out Loud" insurance…). It is Loss of License Assist insurance from Ezy Insurance. And the tag line reads "Can you afford not to insure with us?"
On the one hand it is good to see some innovation in the insurance market, but on the other hand you've got to wonder: Surely this makes a joke of the law? No wonder the press is calling it "hoon insurance". And people are not happy about it. But "any publicity is good publicity" right? LOL!
Source: news.com.au
Anger at "hoon insurance"
NEW "insurance for hoons'' products that offer banned drivers big taxi and chauffeur-fare payouts have angered road safety campaigners.
Ezy Insure is offering a speeders' package that provides drivers who lose their licences over a series of traffic infringements $1000 a month for three months to cover the cost of alternative transport.
Penny Martin, of Working Against Culpable Driving, said the company was cushioning punishment for reckless drivers.
Ms Martin, whose son, Josh, and his friend, Jack Gilhooley, both 16, died in a car driven by a drink-driver, said: "It tells drivers it doesn't matter what they do because they won't be inconvenienced. This is the wrong message to be sending to drivers, especially younger ones.''
The RACV and traffic police described the policy as "perverse'' and "inappropriate''.
Ezy Insure states on its website it does "not condone speeding or reckless driving''.
But it adds: "If you lose your driving licence through an accumulation of points, we will assist you with the cost of alternative transport during your suspension.''
The cash could help motorists use taxis or hire a personal driver so they can continue life as usual, it says.
Cover starts from $10 a month and drivers must not receive more than three demerit points per offence.
Company director Alan Brewis said the policy was aimed at the "normal driver''.
"It's for the sort of person who is driving along and loses concentration, goes over the limit by a five or 10kmh and gets snapped,'' he said.
He would not provide figures, but said since the package was launched in January the response had "exceeded expectations'' and was "very, very popular''.
The RACV said Ezy Insure was obviously targeting a niche clientele, but it had picked the wrong market for this kind of product.
"It's hoon insurance -- this is a totally perverse offer,'' RACV public policy general manager, Brian Negus said.
He said the nature of the policy encouraged unsafe driving because motorists would feel protected against punishment.
"If you lose enough demerit points often enough to lose your licence then you have a problem,'' he said.
A police spokesman said the insurance package was a commercial matter, but it appeared to be "inappropriate''.
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