SANLAM INSURANCE COMPANY LTD v KIZANYE N’ABANDI

SANLAM INSURANCE COMPANY LTD v KIZANYE N’ABANDI

The insurer is not liable for damages resulting from an accident where the insured vehicle was driven by an unlicensed driver and carried unauthorized passengers, as these acts constitute a fundamental breach of the insurance contract, excluding coverage for both the insured and third parties.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCA00079/2022/HC/RWG
Parties
Appellant: Sanlam Insurance Company Ltd; Respondent: Kizanye n’Abandi (family of Ndahayo)
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
22 September 2023
Case Number
RCA00079/2022/HC/RWG
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment
Outcome
appeal allowed; lower court judgment reversed
Legal Topics
Motor Vehicle Insurance, Liability Exclusion, Breach of Insurance Contract, Unauthorized Driver, Overloading Passengers
Source Language
rw
Insurance Law Tort Law Motor Vehicle Insurance Liability Exclusion Breach of Insurance Contract Unauthorized Driver Overloading Passengers

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Sanlam Insurance Company Ltd

Appellant

Kizanye n’Abandi (family of Ndahayo)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the insurer is liable for damages caused by a vehicle accident when the driver lacked a valid license and carried unauthorized passengers
  2. 2 Whether breach of insurance contract terms by the insured excludes insurer liability

Ratio Decidendi

The insurer is not liable for damages resulting from an accident where the insured vehicle was driven by an unlicensed driver and carried unauthorized passengers, as these acts constitute a fundamental breach of the insurance contract, excluding coverage for both the insured and third parties.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed; lower court judgment reversed

Orders

  • Appeal of Sanlam Insurance Company Ltd is allowed.
  • Judgment RC00046/2021/TGI/NYG of the Intermediate Court of Nyagatare is reversed in all its parts.