Liability

by Guest » Thu Dec 18, 2008 05:35 pm
Guest

I have a question on liability. I have an 18 year old son that is the primary driver of a car that he is also the registered owner. The insurance company is aware. On the same policy, my wife and I are primary drivers of two other cars, and those cars are in our registerd in our name. If my son is sued for an accident he has with his car, would the lawsuit have the ability to go after us as well because our names our on the policy as drivers of other cars?.....or....would the liability stop with my son?.....

as far as insurance costs go.....yes it was more expensive to have a seperate policy for my son, but the insurance company didn't care if he was on same policy with the car registered in his name while the other cars were registered in his parents name.

thanks Jon

Total Comments: 4

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 06:24 pm Post Subject:

They would at least sue the driver (your son) and in most state they can also sue the owner of the vehicle. If this is also your son and only your son, then they cannot sue you. Having insurance, who it's with, who is listed on the policy, etc. is not an issue (unless it's a direct action state like LA... but there are not many of these). If a person is sued and goes to court, no one can even mention that the person has an insurance policy. Of course, the jury will assume that they do.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:49 am Post Subject:

Well, it may greatly depend upon the state laws. Some state can allow the plaintiff to sue the owner of the policy as well. I think you are required to check with the DMV for more information.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 01:55 pm Post Subject:

If my son is sued for an accident he has with his car, would the lawsuit have the ability to go after us as well because our names our on the policy as drivers of other cars?.....or....would the liability stop with my son?.....

As tcope posted, who's names are on the policy are of no importance, if your boy and only your boy is the owner of the vehicle, the liability stops with him...if you are also an 'owner' not a loan 'co-signer' then you could be drug in as well...

Some state can allow the plaintiff to sue the owner of the policy as well

Sorry Fabiana, ut, uh, nope, the policy owner doesn't matter, the vehicle owner does.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 06:26 pm Post Subject:

This is the way I have always heard it to be. Insurance follows the car and the care owner. I do not believe they even release all the policy information. In some states like PA you can sue and the never even get to look at the other persons policy.

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