QuestionIf I am driving an uninsured vehicle, owned by me, that I thought was insured and I get hit by someone who is 100% at fault can their insurance carrier deny me coverage for my damages? My vehicle is financed through Toyota and I was told that the insurance company cannot deny to pay me. Please if you can let me know I live in NJ
Nancy
AnswerHello,
The first thing I will tell you is that I am not a lawyer nor am I familiar with the State laws of New Jersey as they relate to driving without insurance, forcing my answer to be very limited and very general.
There are 2 ways this event can be looked at.
If the other driver was deemed 100% at fault, the other driver's insurance company is required to pay 100% of all damage related to your claim.
The flip side is this however and would be the insurance company's argument: If the State of New jersey requires the driver of any vehicle to be insured, the problem for you is technically, you were not supposed to be on the road without insurance and if you were not on the road, this accodent would never had happened. This argument may keep them from compensating you for your loss.
I find it hard to believe that Toyota would have let your insurance lapse. Most finace companies will force the owner of their vehicles drive the vehicle without insurance in order to protect their interist of the car. Commonly lenders will insure the car for a ridiculous rate that you are responsible for.
There is the potential here for a financial nightmare here for you.
My suggestion to you is to contact a local attorney, even if it costs you an hour of thier time, it would be well worth it, just to know where you stand. That way you are not surprised as to what may or may not happen.
A quesrion like yours although it is a good one cannot be answered fully on the web by anyone without knowing every detail about the accident without knowing every detail.
I hope everything works out in your favor, but I highly recomend speaking with a local attorney on this matter.
Good luck!
