Court Rules Ant Infestation in Car Computer is Covered Accident
A Rehovot court ruled that an ant infestation in a car's computer system qualifies as a covered accident under comprehensive insurance, awarding 30,000 shekels in compensation.
A court ruling in Rehovot has recognized the invasion of ants into a car's computer system as an accident covered by comprehensive insurance, awarding a total compensation of approximately 30,000 shekels to the vehicle owner.
The case involved a hybrid Hyundai Ioniq whose owner filed a lawsuit against Hachaklait Insurance Company. On June 26, 2022, a warning light activated on the dashboard, signaling a malfunction in the high-voltage battery. The car was towed to a garage, where it was discovered that ants and ant eggs had infiltrated the battery control computer, causing a short circuit and irreversible damage to both the computer and the high-voltage battery.
Legal Proceedings and Ruling
Initially, the insurance company refused to cover the damage to the battery, arguing that it constituted mechanical or electrical wear and tear excluded from the policy. However, Judge Keren Wexler rejected this argument, ruling that the ant invasion constituted an external accidental cause rather than natural wear or an internal manufacturing defect.
"The fundamental purpose of an insurance policy is to provide the insured with peace of mind and a safety net, rather than leaving them helpless before a broken trough," Judge Wexler noted in the verdict.
Compensation Breakdown
The court ordered the insurer to pay approximately 19,400 shekels for direct damage and appraiser fees (deducting the initial amount already paid), 3,000 shekels for inconvenience and lost time, and 6,000 shekels in legal fees. The plaintiff was represented by Adv. Gad Liebman.
