Auto Insurance Claims: auto insurance coverage when driving other car, auto insurance coverage, freinds car

Question
QUESTION: my son had an accident while driving his freinds car. He had been given permission to drive the car by his friend, but it turns out that his friends insurance only covered the friend to drive the car. my insurance only cover our cars and my son to drive these cars and does not cover him to drive other peoples cars. he was not cited for the accident. is my son (18) or are we liable for the damages to the car?
thanks

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

Generally, you can loan your vehicle to anyone and they are covered. I don't understand why your son would not be covered while driving his friends car. In some states there is what is referred to as "named driver" insurance. So it is possible that the friend had this type of insurance. This would mean that only the "named driver" is covered.

You did not mention if your son was found to be at fault in the accident. If he is found to be at fault, he will be responsible for that damage to his friends car as well as the car that he hit. You will not be liable since he is 18 years old.

If your son if nound not to be at fault, then the at-fault person or their insurance will be responsible for the damage to the car your son was driving as well as their own vehicle.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbauh

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Richard
Thanks for the answer.
I believe you are correct - his friend must hacve had the "named driver insurance".

Actually the friend had given my son permission to drive so he assumed he was covered. While driving he swerved to avoid a coyote and flipped the car. The policeman did not give him a ticket after the accident since that road has a lot of coyotes along the road at night and there had been several similar accidents over the previous weeks; so I am not sure if he is considered "at fault". if he was not at fault - would you have to blame the coyote... :-)

Answer
Hi Mike,

Unfortunately you can't blame an animal. It's always someones fault. They may try to say he was driving too fast and was unable to control the vehicle or that he swerved to miss the animal but then over corrected loosing control of the vehicle.

Either way unfortunately your sone may be required to pay for the damage.

Good Luck
Richard Hixenbaugh