Understanding Collision liability in Personal Driveway Incidents: What Homeowners and Auto Insurance Cover
If you’ve ever experienced a vehicle collision right in your own driveway, you know how stressful and confusing it can be to determine liability and insurance responsibilities. Recently, I faced such an incident involving two parked vehicles, which has sparked questions about how insurance policies handle these situations.
The Scenario: A Driveway Accident
Living in a Detroit suburb in Wayne County, Michigan, I observed an incident where my 2017 Ford Expedition, parked in my driveway, was hit by another vehicle. My fiancé’s 20-year-old son, who drives a vintage 1974 Ford F100 truck, was entering the driveway and had just parked his vehicle uphill from mine. As he exited his truck, which was insured and registered, the door unexpectedly swung out of gear and rolled backward, striking the front corner of my Expedition.
Despite being outside the vehicle at the time, the truck’s movement caused damage to my Expedition’s bumper, headlight, and potentially more — parts that, after modifications like lift kits and aftermarket wheels, have a total repair estimate around $12,000 to $14,000. His truck sustained only minor scratches.
Insurance and Liability Concerns
This incident raises important questions: Who bears responsibility when a parked vehicle causes damage? Is it the vehicle owner, the homeowner, or an act of God? Since the truck was properly insured, and the driver was out of the vehicle, does that impact fault determination?
In this case, your homeowner’s policy typically wouldn’t cover vehicle damage unless the vehicle was also used to protect or safeguard your property. Auto insurance is designed to handle damages caused by vehicles, but coverage specifics depend on the policies’ terms and the circumstances of the incident.
Financial Implications
Given the value of my Expedition and the extent of damages, the repair costs far exceed the $1,000 deductible I have on my broad collision coverage. If the liability falls on the other driver, their insurance should cover the damages. However, since this is his third at-fault incident since age 16, with two this year, there’s concern about how future insurance premiums may be affected.
Considering the financial strain, repairing the vehicle to safe and roadworthy condition is possible but unlikely to restore it to its original state, putting it into the “good enough” category rather than pristine. It’s disappointing, especially since I’ve maintained the vehicle well and was hoping to
