Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance - Son, insurance company claims, curve ball

Question
My son wrecked his friends motorcycle.  He has rode the motorcycle several times before this happened, they room together at college and lots of the guys in the apartment have rode the motorcycle.  We now have found out that the insurance company is denying my son coverage because the motorcycle(Unknown to my son)was actually owned and insured to his friends father.  The insurance company claims that my son would only be covered if he had permission from the father.  We are really confused by this because my son thought the motorcycle was his friends and his friend taught him how to ride it and allowed him to ride it.  Should we dispute this with the insurance company

Answer
Hi,
It sounds like the company is just throwing you a curve ball to get you to pay the claim.
Under the legal wording of the policy, once the Father gave his Son permission to drive the motorcycle, then the son is allowed to pass that permission on to any other user.
I suggest that you meet with or talk to the father and have him read the policy definition of 'permissive user'.  It would be a good idea to have him photocopy that portion of the policy and mail it to you so you will firmer ground on which to discuss the matter with the insurance company.
Or he can simply scan it into his computer and e-mail it to you.
I hope this is of help.  Please write again if I can be of more assistance.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 10-16-07 7:29 PM PST