When a Vehicle Collision Strikes at Home: Navigating Insurance Dilemmas in a Family Scenario

Recently, I found myself grappling with a rather frustrating dilemma: two parked vehicles collided right in my own driveway. As a car owner living with my fiancée and her son, the incident sparked a whirl of questions about who holds liability and how to address the damages.

Let me set the scene: My 2017 Expedition was parked safely when my soon-to-be stepson, a 20-year-old driving his 1974 Ford F100 project truck, pulled into the driveway. After exiting his vehicle, he accidentally closed the truck door with enough force to disengage the parking gear, sending it rolling backward into my Expedition. Thankfully, we have the entire incident on camera, documenting that he was only briefly outside the vehicle when this occurred.

The damage to my Expedition is concerning. It has suffered a flat tire, a damaged bumper, and potentially affected parts like the headlight and A-arm. In contrast, my future stepson’s truck only received a minor scratch. The resale value of my Expedition is approximately $12,000 to $14,000, and since it’s fully paid off, I’ve opted for Broad Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible—though I suspect repair costs will far exceed that amount.

Given these circumstances, I’m left pondering a few critical questions. Is it his fault, even if he had already exited the vehicle? Should we consider filing through homeowners insurance, viewing this as an unforeseen event? The prospect of an insurance claim is daunting. We dealt with a significant claim a few years back for ice dam damage to our home, and I’m wary of how this might affect our rates.

Complicating matters further, my stepson has faced his share of responsibility claims in the past, and this incident could mark his third, with two already logged this year. While we want to ensure that both vehicles are safe for the road, my Expedition has been well-maintained, and I had hoped to keep it in great condition for a few more years without incurring additional payments.

The truth is, my stepson is a good kid, and I’ve supported his passion for working on cars ever since he was little. While I believe in his project truck and others he plans to tackle, the timing couldn’t be worse financially. Our family isn’t exactly flush with cash or time to spare for repairs or adjustments in insurance.

As we make decisions