Title: Navigating Vehicle Damage Liability: An Auto Insurance Perspective for Homeowners in Michigan
Understanding Liability When Vehicles Collide in Your Driveway
Dealing with vehicle accidents on private property can be complicated, especially when it involves multiple parties and insurance policies. Recently, a collision occurred in my driveway involving two unoccupied vehicles—an incident that prompts many questions about liability, insurance coverage, and financial implications.
The Incident Overview
I am an individual residing with my fiancé and her son. My primary vehicle, a 2017 Ford Expedition, was parked and stationary at the time of the incident. Her son, a 20-year-old who drives on his mother’s insurance policy, was operating his vintage 1974 Ford F100 truck—a work-in-progress project vehicle. According to available footage, he exited the truck after parking it uphill from my Expedition. Upon closing the truck’s door, it unexpectedly shifted out of park, rolled backward, and collided with the front corner of my vehicle.
Damage Assessment
My Expedition sustained notable damage: a flat tire, bumper harm, damaged headlight, and potential issues with aftermarket wheels, tires, lift modifications, and possibly the A-arm. In contrast, his truck only has superficial scratches. My vehicle’s estimated value ranges between $12,000 and $14,000, and it is fully paid off. I carry comprehensive collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible, though repair costs are likely to exceed this amount.
Insurance and Liability Questions
Given the circumstances—specifically, that he was out of the vehicle when it rolled—the question arises: Who bears responsibility? Is this a homeowner’s insurance issue, an auto liability matter, or does it qualify as an unforeseen act of God? In Michigan, particularly in Wayne County, the nuances of insurance policies and liability can be complex.
Specifically, I am pondering:
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Is the driver’s action at fault since he was outside the vehicle, even if it was in gear?
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Would homeowner’s insurance cover damages caused by a moving vehicle on insured property?
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Are these damages considered a collision under auto insurance, making auto coverage the primary recourse?
Financial and Practical Considerations
Given my vehicle’s value and the damage sustained, I am contemplating whether to proceed with repairs to keep it functional or accept its decline into a ‘good used vehicle’ category. Repair costs, especially outside professional shop standards, could be significant.
This situation also raises concerns about financial resilience, considering past insurance claims on my home
