Never Driven in My Life... "Pay 4 Million Won for Accident Costs" Demanded by Insurance Company

70-Year-Old Woman with No Driving Experience Lifetime
Identity Stolen to Enroll in Car Insurance

A story has emerged about a woman in her 70s who had never driven in her life, yet her name was used to take out a car insurance policy. According to a KBS report on the 7th, Ms. A, a woman in her 70s, received a lawsuit last May demanding she pay 4 million won in accident settlement costs for a car accident she did not cause.

Complaint received by Mr. A. [Image source=KBS news screen capture]

Ms. A, who suddenly found herself responsible for someone else's accident costs, was baffled. She had never had a driver's license or driven a car in her life, nor did she own a vehicle. Ms. A’s son told KBS, "She had no idea she was insured, and when the lawsuit arrived, she just said 'Oh my'."

It was later discovered that a man had stolen a copy of Ms. A’s ID and secretly signed her up for the insurance. Ms. A’s son explained, "She had given a copy of her ID to an acquaintance when registering for a trip with a social club, and it turned out to be that copy." The signature on the insurance application form was also reportedly forged.

If documents are available, enrollment is possible without 'identity verification'... "Preventing recurrence"

However, the insurance policy was able to be taken out without any particular issues. The insurance company allowed enrollment without separate identity verification as long as a copy of the ID and the application form were submitted. Due to this lax procedure, the accident settlement costs Ms. A was forced to bear amounted to at least 4 million won.

Ms. A’s son pointed out, "When the accident was being processed, they even called my mother to confirm. She told them twice that she was not involved, but the accident was still processed under her name."

In response, Ms. A’s side filed complaints with the Financial Supervisory Service and the insurance company, and filed a police report accusing the man who stole her identity and the insurance agent of forgery and use of forged documents. The insurance company stated, "It is true that the insurance agent did not obtain Ms. A’s handwritten signature," and added, "We will establish measures to prevent recurrence."