The Steps You Need To Take If Another Driver Crashes Your Car
Every now and then, a car accident can happen when someone else drives your car, so you need to know your rights when someone else wrecks your car, as well as what your responsibilities are to your car insurance company after the car crash. This includes your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, family member or even strangers that drive your car for short periods of time. For example, when you go out to nice hotels or restaurants, valet drivers may meet you at the door of your car to park your vehicle for you.
Will My Car Insurance Company Cover Damages If Another Driver Crashes?
Car insurance is usually designed to cover the car, not the driver of the car. Therefore, when you let someone else borrow your, you are generally held personally responsible for the other driver’s actions. That being said, in some cases your car insurance can be the primary coverage for your vehicle, while the driver’s coverage will cover any expenses over and above your own coverage.
For example, if another driver crashes your car and causes $11,000 worth of damage and repairs to another vehicle, and you have $10,000 of the state’s required minimum liability insurance, your car insurance company would reimburse you the first $10,000. Then, the other person’s insurance would pay out the additional $1,000 needed to fix the car.
However, in other cases, your car insurance company might not pay for the damage to your car or anyone else’s when another driver crashes your car. To find out if your insurer will pay for another driver wrecking your car, you need to call your auto insurance company and find out what driver exclusions are stated on your policy.
For example, some car insurance company driver exclusions will not cover drivers who live in your household but are not listed on the policy as drivers, while other car insurance companies will not cover any person under the age of 18 who drives your vehicle. In any case, you have to contact your insurance company or review your policy to learn whether your carrier will pay for the damages or not.
What Happens To Your Car Insurance Coverage When Another Driver Crashes Your Car?
Honestly, if another driver wrecks your vehicle, your auto insurance company will probably raise your rates. Your car is your responsibility, and when you “lend” that responsibility to another person and a car accident occurs, your auto insurance company feels that you have neglected your responsibility. Your rates will probably just go up a little bit if the other driver did not cause the accident, and most likely be able to maintain your affordable car insurance rates.
What If A Valet Driver Crashes Your Car?
If a valet driver crashes your car, you are not legally responsible for the damages incurred in the automobile accident. The valet company operating at the establishment will be held responsible, and their insurance company will pay for the damages. However, you must inspect your car when the valet returns it to you, and get as much information as you can from the valet driver, and establishment, before you drive off of the parking lot. Get the valet driver’s full name, driver’s license number, address and company car insurance information. If another car is involved in the accident, get personal information from the other driver, including the vehicle identification number, or VIN, of his or her car. Then, contact your car insurance company and get that information to them immediately to start the claims process.
What If A Thief Crashes Your Car?
If someone you know, such as your best friend’s underage brother, takes your car without your permission, you will not be held responsible for that person’s actions. Furthermore, if a thief steals your car, you will also not be responsible for that person’s actions, either. You are only legally and financially responsible for another driver crashing your car if you give them verbal permission to drive you car. However, if a thief or joyriding little brother wrecks your vehicle, you need to contact your car insurance company immediately to let them know what happened so that they can take any actions they need to take to help you with the judiciary process.
Finding The Best Car Insurance
If you are not sure about where your insurance company stands on other drivers using your car, call your auto insurance agent and directly ask them what their policies are on this issue. Then, ask your agent to send you a written confirmation of the verbal answer.
If you are not satisfied with your current insurer’s position on the matter, check MyCarInsuranceRates.com to get instant, free car insurance quotes from multiple auto insurance companies who might be more lenient on who you let drive your car – and cover another driver in the event that an accident happens when you are not in your vehicle. Comparison shopping and car insurance quotes can help consumers find cheap car insurance.
