What happens if you let an uninsured driver use your car

[CrzyforPiglet]

Let's see how clear I can make this response:

Option A: The son is living somewhere else and only occasionally uses his moms car. In that case then he does not need to be added to her policy the insurance is on the car and that is good enough.

Option B: He is living with her and has use of the car all the time. Yes the mom should call her insurance and add him to her policy. Why? Because insurance companies are all about risk factors. That's why here in Michigan my age, credit, driving history, town I live in, etc. are factored into how much I pay. If the insurance company only cared about the car then they would give it a rating and price based on safety, features, etc. and everyone would pay the same price for insurance but they don't. Despite his other problems with the law if he has a clean driving record then adding him may not add any cost at all and she'd be better safe than sorry. If he has an accident the insurance company would be within their rights to deny coverage if listing all resident drivers is a violation of the policy terms.

And for the record when I worked insurance I had an insured whose teenage daughter had an accident, was never added to the policy, and the grace period to do so had expired. The insurance company initially denied the claim but did eventually pay out. My insured was pretty freaked while waiting for the appeal so it can happen.

 

[Leajess99]

Yes, driving without insurance is against the law and no her insurance company won't pay if he causes any damage to her vehicle.....some people are idiots unfortunately!!

The car is what is covered and NOT the driver so even if he gets in an accident it will be covered. It does not matter who is driving the car as long as they are legally licensed to drive.

 

[sayheyrenee]

In NJ, I could only exclude my adult sons (who lived at home) from my policy, IF they had their own car, registered and insured under their name. And yes, I had to provide proof of that to my insurance co. They were still listed on my policy, but as "unrated". NJ also asks questions about each car, who drives it, and for what % of the time.

But I think other states are different. I have a friend in Pa. who did not, and does not, list her teen aged boys on her policy...... they don't own a car, and drive hers with permission, and have licenses..... (and she used to work in the insurance industry there). I never understood that, because NJ most definitely would not allow that.

This is true in PA. My adult son (in college) was able to use both my husbands and my car when he got his license at 16 without our insurance going up or listing him. When we got a third vehicle in the household, he was automatically placed as the lead driver on the vehicle and our insurance went up (he is on our policy).

I agree with a previous poster. You said your peace when you were having a conversation with her, I would now leave the conversation dead. She will have to deal with whatever consequences fall her way.

 

[Friendly Frog]

So if it is the car that is insured, why is the rate for the same car higher for bad drivers?

The insurance method for car insurance is about as clear ( or less clear) than the "reasonable and customary" charges clause in health insurance.

 

[3boymthr]

OP - since you live in Massachusetts, and if I'm guessing correctly, work in Mass as well, then the rule is as long as the car is insured and the driver has the permission of the owner to drive the car then any accidents he gets in are covered by her insurance - that's why in Mass you have to have the registration stamped by the insurer and not the driver's license. It doesn't matter if he doesn't live with her, how old he is, whether he has insurance of his own or not. So no matter how bad a driver nor how crazy her child allowing him to drive her car is techincally not a problem nor illegal. ETA - My bad I didn't realize he lived with her - that's a different story.

 

[Kathi OD]

But I think other states are different. I have a friend in Pa. who did not, and does not, list her teen aged boys on her policy...... they don't own a car, and drive hers with permission, and have licenses..... (and she used to work in the insurance industry there). I never understood that, because NJ most definitely would not allow that.

This is true in PA. My adult son (in college) was able to use both my husbands and my car when he got his license at 16 without our insurance going up or listing him. When we got a third vehicle in the household, he was automatically placed as the lead driver on the vehicle and our insurance went up (he is on our policy).

Actually, this is not the norm. In PA, your son should have been listed on your insurance policy when he got his license (some companies require you add a child when they get their permit), UNLESS he had his own insurance policy or you specifically excluded him from your policy. Your insurance company may have chosen not to charge you (highly doubtful), but he should have been listed as a part time driver.

From PA Insurance Department Guide: (bolding mine)

To obtain automobile insurance in Pennsylvania

You need to know what coverages you want, what limits of liability you require and what deductibles you desire. Also, you need to have the following basic information available on all drivers in your household:



All drivers’ names, ages, sex and marital status
Driving record (accidents and moving violations)
Annual mileage driven
Full vehicle identification number
Year of vehicle
Cost of vehicle
Special equipment, such as anti-theft devices, airbags, etc.

Teen drivers

Insuring a teen driver is often an additional cost for many parents. Some companies require that a teenager be added to the policy upon obtaining his/her learner’s permit. Check with your insurance producer (agent) or company to determine their requirements. Many companies consider drivers under the age of 25 a higher risk, and this often translates into higher premiums.

Your child may be eligible for discounts. Ask your insurance company if they offer discounts for good grades or completed driver education courses.

To the OP, I really don't understand why this bothers you. It's really none of your business.

 

[Halbleib1]

This is true in PA. My adult son (in college) was able to use both my husbands and my car when he got his license at 16 without our insurance going up or listing him. When we got a third vehicle in the household, he was automatically placed as the lead driver on the vehicle and our insurance went up (he is on our policy).

I agree with a previous poster. You said your peace when you were having a conversation with her, I would now leave the conversation dead. She will have to deal with whatever consequences fall her way.

Sorry but you are wrong. In PA you must tell your insurance about anyone living in the household with a valid license. The only way around this is to exclude them if the insurance allows which means they are not covered if they drive your car. This answers any questions regarding teen drivers. http://auto.erieinsurance.com/Parent-teen-resources.aspx Also I am married but do not have a license-never have had one and even I am listed on my husbands policy. This took effect right after our wedding in 2003. The possibility is there that I could decide to get in the car and drive off is how they look at it I guess.

As for the pp that asked why they are covered if they rent a car it is not the case for everyone. It depends on the policy as some do not cover rentals.

 

[eliza61]

So, the major question in these scenerios seems to be "frequency" of use of car.

I have Travelers insurance and I live in NJ.

Two scenerios:
Scenerio #1
An adult/or young adult with a valid drivers license living in the residence is assumed to operate the vehicles UNLESS adult has his/her own car, registration and license. So I do pay for my oldest son EXEPTIONS: my youngest son is 19 has a license but he attends college 60 miles or more away from home. so he is covered under my insurance as a casual driver. If he comes home for the summer he would be covered if he used my cars as long as he is a matriculated student at an out of state college (he goes to University of Cincinnati).

Scenerio #2
I need a lift to the airport my sister drives me and borrows the car then gets into the accident. The car is covered as long as she has a valid drivers license and does not reside in the household. She does not need automobile insurance. I did not ask if travelers would pay her medical (doubt it) if she was injured.

So Basically as long as I'm not throwing the keys to her every day then she and the car would be covered. Agent said that is why the id card has the name of the person along with the car information and why many people leave the id card in the car. So when or if you're stopped by the cops, the cop wants to make sure the CAR has minimum coverage.

whew, I was concerned because I do have some one drop me off at the airport at times and they have a license but not a car.

My policy covers rental insurance and the credit card I use also covers rental insurance.

 

[rockydek]

Her car insurance should cover an uninsured driver. Why are you so worried about something which isn't really any of your business?

I live in the area and consider this my business....So I can avoid him
He should be listed on the policy!
Now if you can just describe the car I can avoid.

 

[MELISAZACK]

as long as he is not and "excluded" driver on the policy and had permission to drive the car - she has insurance so there is coverage.
there is no problem with him driving it then.

Some policys will say no one under 25 can drive the car - and if thats the case the exclusion would apply and there would be no coverage if he was in an MVA....but if that exclusion isn't there then fine - if he isn't a "listed" driver and has the mva they may cover him but make her put him as a listed driver on policy after that and in turn raise her rates -- the people who don't list drivers on the policy do so to keep their rates down till caught. sucks but they do it.

 

[mel&me]

Don't know about others states, but New York requires people to list all eligible drivers in a household on a policy, if they do not have there own car. My brother found it less expensive to get his son his own car, then pay to have all his vehicles list his son on the policy. Many people don't list their kids, car would still be covered in an accident, but the insurance company can drop them for not having listed them in the first place. Seen that happen also.

 

[robsmom]

the people who don't list drivers on the policy do so to keep their rates down till caught. sucks but they do it.

Yes people do it and it is called insurance fraud.