As we move into 2026, many of motorists are reassessing their budgets, but there is one costly mistake that continues to catch South African motorists off guard. Many drunk drivers believe that if they aren't breathalysed or blood-tested at the scene of an accident, their insurance is safe. But according to the National Financial Ombud Scheme, that is a dangerous and expensive misconception. Insurers are increasingly using tracking data, bank statements, and witness reports to reject claims on the balance of probabilities. To unpack the party-to-penalty pipeline and how a single drink can lead to a lifetime of financial exposure, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to National Financial Ombud Scheme Head Ombud, Reana Steyn