I bought a car for

by Guest » Tue May 27, 2008 03:01 pm
Guest

I bought a car for my 18 years old, no financing was required. Car dealer suggested that I put myself as Primary owners and my kid as secondary owner. Is this the best thing to do with respect to the insurance etc.

Total Comments: 18

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 09:57 pm Post Subject:

I don't know of any place that allows the distinction of "primary" and "secondary" owner. As far as ownership, it's either "and" or "or" but both indicate both parties are the owners. As far as the insurance, the company may ask you which person drives each vehicle on a primary basis.

Each person who is listed as an owner should be listed on the policy. Also, anyone who lives in the household and drives that vehicle should be listed on the insurance policy.

Take insurance advise from a car salesman with caution.

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 05:47 am Post Subject:

Hi Member-nick,

The age criterion for someone to be the legal owner of a car would vary from one state to another. This is due to the variance of state laws governing the ownership of cars & other vehicles.

It is not possible for a juvenile to get into a contract with someone legally & hence it is not possible for him to be the sole owner of any vehicle.
In order to let the minor have his share of ownership the parents would need to own that property.

If in a particular case the parent would opt for a so-signed loan then it is possible for the minor to buy a car for himself wherein the parent would be the authorized owner.
I have read about some states wherein we do encounter with some exceptions to the normal rulings. The emancipation statue associated with minors in Arizona for instance, would allow minors with exceptional maturity (with an age equal or more than 16) & capable of managing their own finances to enter into agreements regarding the procurement of properties..car being not an exception.
I'd wish that things work out in your favor...though you have not mentioned which state you belong to..
keep visiting the forums..
Lamepatient

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 06:01 am Post Subject:

Guys! All having said, would like to simply add that even when we find states that allow teenagers to register, would surely mandate parents to sign of the legal bonds on their behalf. We'd often see motor vehicle bureaus issuing the minor consent form to the parents. In order to get the vehicle title in their names, the minors would need to get their parents along with them whenever they would visit the title offices.
Regards, Plasticmind

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 06:01 am Post Subject:

An 18 year old can enter into a contract in any US state.

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:21 am Post Subject:

Personally because my state holds owners responsible as well...when our kids got their first cars I put them in their names only and T.O.D. to me...I wouldn't have my name on a title of a car that my kids drove...although they were good kids, just didn't want the 'possibilities'....

It is not possible for a juvenile

What state considers an 18 year old a juv?

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 04:29 pm Post Subject:

Lamepatient said:

It is not possible for a juvenile to get into a contract with someone legally & hence it is not possible for him to be the sole owner of any vehicle.
In order to let the minor have his share of ownership the parents would need to own that property.

:?

To quote Lori:

What state considers an 18 year old a juv?



Agreed. No state considers an 18-year old a juvenile. Under the United States Civil Code (USC), a minor is "under the age of 18 years." Additionally, a minor IS legally allowed to contract under the age of 18 in all states. The difference is that a minor cannot be held to the contract except in certain contractual obligations deemed "necessities." This would include things such as housing, medical care and the like. A minor who enters into such a contract can absolutely be held to the contract. :cry:

Lori stated:

Personally because my state holds owners responsible as well...when our kids got their first cars I put them in their names only and T.O.D. to me...I wouldn't have my name on a title of a car that my kids drove...although they were good kids, just didn't want the 'possibilities'....



Agreed again. If a parent is on the title to a motor vehicle, in most states that parent is legally liable for acts performed surrounding that car. In other words, if mommy or daddy are the legally titled owners of a car, they are legally liable for the acts of the kids. As soon as our kids turn 18, ownership of the vehicle will be transferred to the kids. They can still be on your insurance or can be separated from the parent's policy by purchasing their own coverage with most carriers.

Never heard of "primary" and/or "secondary" owners either. The vehicle would be owned by one person (a single person listed as the titled owner) or co-owned with more than one person on the title.

InsTeacher 8)

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 04:42 pm Post Subject: is it same in india too

Is this same applicable in India too. I suppose it is same but wanted to confirm.

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 06:14 pm Post Subject:

I will never suggest that I know anything about this outside of the USA

InsTeacher 8)

Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 06:49 pm Post Subject:

What does your insurance agent mean by secondary and primary owner? If something unfortunate happens, nobody will ask about the owner-you or your kid, the only that will matter is who was the faulter.

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 10:29 am Post Subject:

If something unfortunate happens, nobody will ask about the owner-you or your kid, the only that will matter is who was the faulter.

That's our point, the owners (in most states) are held liable as well as the driver...I disagree most instances will want to know who the owner (s) of the vehicle are assuming the driver of that vehicle is 'at fault'.

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