Loaned Vehicles
My 21-year-old son has his own insured vehicle, but he lives out of town while attending school, so his legal address isn’t mine. He frequently drives my fully insured spare vehicle and accidentally damaged it. I believed that the car would be covered under those circumstances.
I recently submitted a claim, and their first response was to send me a form asking whether he “may live in the household” and “may regularly drive the vehicle.” From what I gather, they define “regular use” as driving it more than once a week. He typically drives it occasionally and leaves his car at my place.
Will they deny my claim? The damage is probably under $5,000, so it’s not the end of the world, but it’s still concerning.
It sounds like you’re in a tricky situation regarding your insurance claim. Since your son has his own vehicle and insurance but also drives your spare vehicle on occasion, the insurance company may be trying to determine how they classify his use of your vehicle.
Here are a few points to consider:
Insurance Policies: It’s essential to review the specific terms of your insurance policy, particularly the sections regarding coverage for non-permanent residents or occasional drivers. Definitions of “regular use” can vary greatly between policies.
Household Definition: Since the insurance company is asking about whether he “may live in the household,” it’s crucial to clarify that he technically does not live with you full-time, even if he uses your vehicle intermittently.
Claim Denial Risk: While there’s a possibility of denial due to the classification as “regular use,” the insurance adjuster may take into account your explanation regarding how often he drives your vehicle. It might help to provide additional context about his use of the vehicle being infrequent and more on an as-needed basis.
Mitigation Steps: If you feel comfortable, reach out to your insurance agent to discuss the situation directly. They may have tools or options available to help you navigate this claim.
Future Considerations: To avoid similar issues in the future, you might want to consider updating your insurance policy or discussing with your insurer the best way to cover occasional drivers—especially if your son will continue to use your vehicle.
While it’s hard to predict the insurance company’s final decision, being proactive and transparent can help improve your chances. Good luck!