A basic car insurance question
Sm704
but I think it is.
My car insurance policy just has me listed. My 18 year old son just
got his driver's license, and would like to use my car occasionally
before he goes out and buys his own car. My question is, do I *have*
to list him on my car insurance policy? I don't see why I would have
to. If he's just going to be using the car occasionally, I can't see
any sense on listing him. It would cost about $1400, and I don't think
it is worth it.
If I don't have him listed on my policy, and he gets into an accident,
would my car insurance company cover the damages? I always assumed,
and was informed by many people, that the owner's car insurance
follows the car. Meaning, no matter who was driving it, if the driver
was involved in an accident, the insurance company should handle the
situation as if the owner of the car had been involved in the
accident. As long as the driver had permisson from the owner of the
car to use it. That makes sense. I mean, if a neighbor of mine wanted
to use my car, would I have to list my neighbor on my policy? That
makes no sense at all! I talked to my insurance company about this,
but they gave me a bunch of BS.
Can anyone please clear this up for me? I live in Massachusetts in
case that makes any difference. Thanks.
CW9371
>got his driver's license, and would like to use my car occasionally
>before he goes out and buys his own car. My question is, do I *have*
>to list him on my car insurance
Well if he lives in your house, he needs to be listed on your policy or have
his own.
Isa
declarations page. The whole key is "household member".
The last time I saw a Massachusetts policy, on the front page was this
wording that went something like, "failure to list a household member
on this policy, when listing such a member would result in additional
premium due to surcharges or inexperienced operator rating, can result
in " (can't remember the exact wording next) us only paying the
minimum mandatory bodily injury (part ONE limit, on public property
only, $20,000 limit) and no collision coverage.
So yes, if you do not list your son, and he lives in your house, and
he cracks up the car, not only is it possible that the car won't be
paid for, but you could be writing a really big check if he seriously
injurs someone.
Isa
rai...@hotmail.com (Sm704) wrote in message news:<4c517b80.0306...@posting.google.com>...
TTRoberts
<< <I>My car insurance policy just has me listed. My 18 year old son just
got his driver's license, and would like to <b>use my car occasionally</b>
before he goes out and buys his own car. My question is, do I *have*
to list him on my car insurance policy?</I> >>
If he's living in the same household . . . . yes. If he's not a student and
living somewhere else, then probably . . . no. You're agent is the BEST
source for help on such issues.
<< <I>I don't see why I would have to. If he's just going to be <b>using the
car occasionally</b>, I can't see any sense on listing him. It would cost about
$1400, and I don't think it is worth it.</I> >>
Hmmmm??? Maybe you should have HIM pay the insurance. After all, if he's
going to be buying a car he's got to be able to afford the insurance. Huh?
A teenager driving "occasionally" is a VERY high risk to insurance companies.
Can you guess why? Of course, if you don't feel there's much risk in you're
son's case, then let him drive but don't expect the insurance company to pay.
<< <I>If I don't have him listed on my policy, and he gets into an accident,
would my car insurance company cover the damages? </I> >>
Not likely. This is a question you should be asking of your agent as your
agent can really be specific on this matter.
<< <I>I always assumed, and was informed by many people, that the owner's car
insurance follows the car. Meaning, no matter who was driving it, if the driver
was involved in an accident, the insurance company should handle the situation
as if the owner of the car had been involved in the accident.</I> >>
You know the old saying that when I "assume" something I make as "ass" out of
"u" and "me"? Well, DON'T assume anything. Your agent is your source for the
definitive answers. And if your agent tells you something that you don't quite
feel is correct, have the agent give you the answer in writing. Then you'll
have legal recourse should the agent be incorrect.
BASICALLY, yes . . . the coverage follows the car. BUT, when someone who isn't
insured drives the car and has an at fault accident . . . the insurance company
may pay and protect YOU from any loss, but the insurance company will go after
that driver to recover the loss. That driver is NOT covered . . . YOU are.
<< <I>As long as the driver had permisson from the owner of the car to use it.
That makes sense. I mean, if a neighbor of mine wanted to use my car, would I
have to list my neighbor on my policy? </I> >>
No, you wouldn't have to list your neighbor . . . UNLESS that neighbor was
going to be an "occasional" driver. Any licensed driver within one's own
household is presumed to be able to drive the car at any moment and present a
much higher risk exposure than someone like a neighbor who might just borrow
your car for some special situation. And don't forget that damage to your car
would be covered, but the neighbors liability is his own and your insurance
company may still make your neighbor pay them back.
<< <I>That makes no sense at all! I talked to my insurance company about this,
but they gave me a bunch of BS.</I> >>
If your agent is "the company", you'd be wise to listen closely. It's your
agent that has the definitive answers for you. If you have a good experienced
agent, those answers should be correct.
<< <I>Can anyone please clear this up for me? I live in Massachusetts in case
that makes any difference. </I> >>
Certainly state insurance laws tend to be a little different from state to
state. So, what I'm am saying is in general though mostly correct throughout
the U.S. Because laws ARE different from state to state and so the insurance
contracts can be different accordingly, this is why I stress that you really
need to get answers from your agent or some other local agent you have
confidence in - paticularly when you're after specific answers like this.
Randy Cindy Wright
it if he has an accident.
good luck
Randy Wright, CPCU
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