QuestionShould I pay for the damages?
I let my niece put her car in my name, but I let her get the car insurance. She call me and told me that she got the insurance. I told ok that's good and now we have nothing to worry about, drive safe. The months later I ask to borrow the car to run to the supermarket. On the way back I got in to an accident. I call her to let her know and the that's when she told me that the insurance she got was fake. Now I have a bill of $2500 to pay for the damages. I feel like I shouldnt have to pay for it because she got fake insurance and if the insurance had been real the the insurance company would've paid it.
I don't do stuff like that, Im not into illegal actions and she know that.
She told me its her business and she don't have to tell me nothing. But I feel like I should know about everything going on about the car because it's in my name.
If I would've known the insurance was fake then I would took the car out of my name right away because I'm not into that and anything can happen and I will be held responsible.
I think she should pay for the damages.
If the insurance was real then the insurance company would have paid.
Should I pay or should she pay???
Answer Hello Felicia,
It is not my place to intervene in your family matters as to who should pay. I can set you in the right direction to correct the situation.
First of all, if the car is in your name the insurance must be in your name. No exceptions. You are the owner of the car and you are liable for damages that the car might create. As the owner, an innocent party could sue you for damages. So the first thing I would do is to decide who owns the car. If it is your niece, get your name off of it. If it is going to be your car, take her name off and purchase insurance in your name only.
Second, this is not about fake insurance, this is about NO insurance. Most states provide stiff penalties for failing to have required insurance coverages. Depending on the state, this can cause higher rates and penalties on your driving license.
Finally, you do not indicate the circumstances of the accident. If you were at fault, then you are responsible in full for your own damages. Your bigger problems could come in if you were at fault and the other driver comes after you for their damages and injuries. There is nothing in place to protect you.
If you were not at fault, you can file a Property Damage (PD) liability claim against the policy of the at fault driver.
Regardless of your decision regarding payment for this accident you need to straighten this out immediately!
Good luck
Jane Pytel
http://SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com
http://FloridaAutoInsuranceCentral.com
