damaged their vehicles in accidents.

The Island's two biggest insurers Colonial Insurance and BF&M will refuse claims for damages to vehicles where the drivers have been found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And smaller companies are considering the same course stepping into line with public opinion.

President and Chief Executive Officer at BF&M Mr. Glenn Titterton said it had been company policy for some time.

And from May 1 this year Colonial customers were told: "We have considered for some time excluding damage to your vehicle if the driver is found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Recent claims involving serious personal injury to innocent third parties have persuaded Colonial that this exclusion must become part of your policy.

"At Colonial we ask you not to drive under the influence and to please remember that if you have an accident as a result of doing so, we will not pay you for the damage to your vehicle.'' Neither company felt the rule change was a result of an increase in claims after accidents involving drunken drivers.

Colonial Managing Director Mr. Alan Peacock said: "This only applies to their own vehicles, it is not included in third party insurance if someone else is hurt or their property damaged.

"It is a general policy to try and discourage people from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.'' Mr. Peacock said the company was responding to public opinion which tends to frown on drunken driving.

Mr. Titterton said the BF&M policy was the same, only affecting the vehicle belonging to the driver, and not personal injury or third party insurance.

He said: "Basically the insurers view it as the driver making a conscious decision to drive and jeopardising his vehicle by driving under the influence.

"There is no particular reason why the insurers should pay for the repair of any damage to the vehicle under these circumstances.'' Mr. Titterton said the company would not take money out of the "pool'' to pay for these damages, at the expense of other drivers who could suffer increased rates as a result.

MR. ALAN PEACOCK -- Colonial Managing Director.