Deferred driver status?

by scklein » Thu May 28, 2009 11:05 pm

My son is going to college in another state and will come home 3-5 times per semester and any school breaks. He will be driving our cars periodically. My insurance co. says we can put him down as a "deferred driver" and save a bundle. Is this true? Legal? Wise?

Total Comments: 8

Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 04:33 am Post Subject:

Hi Scklein, What have they promised as premium payment? Would you be getting special rates for including your son as deferred driver?

Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 05:04 am Post Subject:

Hi Scklein,

My insurance co. says we can put him down as a "deferred driver" and save a bundle.


Did they tell you whether your class and points would be considered on your son's policy or not? I think irrespective of whether he's 'deferred' or not, you'd be responsible since you're the principal operator. Please get things clarified with your carrier and share with us here, before you accept anything in writing.

Steven

Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 06:31 pm Post Subject:

I know my insurance company will cover people that are driving my vehicle if it is only occasionally. However, with being home 3-5 times per semester and school breaks...that seems like a pretty regular rotation. I don't know that it would be very wise to have him as a deferred driver...if you do, make sure you understand how often he would be expected to operate the vehicle and make sure you understand what implications there are if there is an accident.

If the insurance premium is high, there may be a few other options to investigate. Is his permanent address still at home...or will he be establishing residency when he is away at school (if out of state)?

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 02:10 pm Post Subject: deferred driver status

My daughter is listed as a deferred driver on my auto policy which has her listed as excluded.....if she happens to drive another persons car and causes an accident or is hit by another vehicle is she covered under our policy?

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 06:24 am Post Subject:

Hello Jean! A “deferred driver” means that the driver is taken off the policy until you put him back. The reason might be various and that's not our concern.

So she is not covered if she drives someone else's car without his/her prior permission. If she causes an accident while driving with permission, she is covered. Again, if she is hit by another vehicle while walking by the pathway, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier is supposed to bear for the treatments.

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 01:22 pm Post Subject:

Jean asks

is she covered under our policy


Mango answers

she is covered



Jean . . . be sure to get MangoQurious' address and bank account number, because his shoddy advice is going to cause you financial harm.

If your daughter is "deferred" it means she has no coverage unless driving one of your vehicles. She has no coverage driving where she is "residing" away from your home. If the vehicle she drives with permission is insured, she will have coverage up to the limit of that policy. What happens if she does more damage than that?

Your daughter should not be driving anyone else's vehicle unless she has her own insurance. You can pay a higher premium to have her "deferred" status upgraded to that of an additional driver, and provide her with the same limits of liability your policy affords. Or she can obtain a "named non-owner" policy of her own that will cover her when she drives anyone else's vehicle, including rental vehicles.

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 05:16 am Post Subject:

Max!You are quoting me wrong. I did never say that. You just didn't comprehend my answer. So better leave it and put down your own. Thanks!

Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 09:31 am Post Subject:

What part of the question

is she covered under our policy?

didn't you understand when you typed the words "she is covered"? No one asked if there is coverage provided by another insurance company. And no one asked about coverage as a pedestrian. That's why some of your answers are dangerous.

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