The applicant, a limousine driver, was kidnapped at gunpoint in his vehicle and forced to drive into the countryside before the vehicle was stolen.
He suffered psychological injuries and applied for accident benefits.
The insurer denied the claim, arguing the incident did not involve the use or operation of an automobile.
The arbitrator found that the forced operation of the vehicle at gunpoint directly or indirectly caused the psychological injury, satisfying the definition of an accident under the No-Fault Benefits Schedule.
The applicant was awarded $3,600 in weekly income benefits and his arbitration expenses.
