Bad Eyesight Threatens Your Car Insurance Policies.

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Claiming on car insurance policies can be a mind blowing experience if you have not kept your vehicle in good roadworthy condition. For example if you had an accident and it was discovered that your tires were too worn, or your brakes weren't working to standard, even if you were not initially to blame you might find yourself being accused of being a contributory factor in the accident even if you are not initially to blame and your car insurance company may refuse to pay out on any car insurance policies you hold. The police might also take an interest in your failings too and lack of car insurance cover.. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

But what if your health affects your driving and was not reported to the insurance company before, such as bad eyesight? You often hear "I never saw the other vehicle, motorbike, pedestrian or cyclist". Has your eyesight deteriorated to such an extent that it is not fit for purpose? Well we all, without doubt might not realize that we even have an eyesight deficiency, but help us at hand in your local optician, to get checked out and they will advise a regular check up probably once a year to keep and eye (no pun intended!) on things for you. They can also detect other health problems in your eyes as well like diabetes for one so it's well worth the time for a check up or your will invalidate any car insurance policies.

Remember too, that if you need contact lenses or glasses for driving then you must wear them at all times you drive and if your eyesight deteriorates you should get a new prescription. It's your legal responsibility as a car drive to ensure that you are safe to drive. Recently I was following an older driver who apparently couldn't see very well as she was constantly looking at the road signs next to traffic lights and didn't put her foot on the brake pedal and rolled forward through the red light and hit a pedestrian walking across with a cycle. She never saw her crossing the road along with several others. Quite frightening! Thankfully no one was hurt and the bike was OK.

The UK eyesight test for drivers clearly says that you must be able to read a number plate containing letters and figures 50 mm wide and 79mm high from a distance of 20 metres. most countries have similar requirement. You can , of course wear your required specs.The law is quite clear on this "any holder of a driving license who cannot meet the minimum level of eyesight must not drive and in many cases if it is not easily correctable they have to surrender their driving licence or agion they will inavalidate their car insurance policy.

In the UK there's actually no legal requirement to have frequent eyesight tests but you are required to tell the authorities if you develop any medical problem that could affect affects your ability to drive, such as diabetes and heart problems. It would be a criminal offense if you failed to inform them in any country and would affect any car insurance policies , besides who would be so stupid?!. In America some states require drivers to take an eye test every 5 years, but in the UK drivers over 70 years of age have to fill in a medical form every three years swearing their fitness to drive. Failure to do so or to not tell the truth results in a fine, and often a loss of their drivers license.

With car insurance companies, when you are involved in an accident where defective eyesight may have been a contributory factor,  an insurance firm cam legally reject any claim and you become personally liable. And the ridiculous thing is that the reason for your defective eyesight on this occasion may simply have been you forgot to put on your glasses!

The moral of the is tale is make sure you are fit to drive at all times when you take the car out including being able to see properly, you are responsible for the validity of your car insurance policies! take care.