A family in Otautau, Southland, are urging people to check their insurance policies after being left out-of-pocket for a $33,000 ute.
Rachel Green and Jarrett Green’s son used the family ute to go hunting on a farm near their home on May 9.
The ute slipped off a hill, rolled three times down a bank and was severely damaged.
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Their 18-year-old son was covered in the comprehensive insurance plan for the 2014 Mazda BT-50 ute insured for $33,000.
However, the Greens say their insurance claim was denied because the accident occurred off a public road.
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They were told the vehicle needed to be insured as a farm vehicle, Jarett said.
When they initially set up the insurance on the phone they were simply asked if it was used for private, business or farm use, he said.
The vehicle was not used for work on a farm, so they felt that private use fitted the description but private use of a four-wheel drive should include off-roading, he said.