Understanding Vehicle Incidents in Your Driveway: Insurance and Liability Considerations
When two parked vehicles unexpectedly collide on private property, it can raise many questions about liability and appropriate insurance coverage. Recently, a situation occurred in a residential driveway involving a 2017 Ford Expedition and a vintage Ford F-100 pickup truck, raising important points for car owners and homeowners alike.
The Incident
In this scenario, a single homeowner was present along with their fiancé and her son. The teen, aged 20 and covered under his mother’s auto policy, was driving his ongoing project truck—a 1974 Ford F-100—when he parked it on the driveway. After exiting the vehicle, which was parked uphill from the family’s main car, the door inadvertently popped out of gear. This caused the truck to roll backward, striking the homeowner’s Expedition, which was stationary nearby.
Damage Assessment
The homeowner’s Expedition sustained noticeable damage, including a flat tire, bumper, headlight, and potential issues with aftermarket wheels, tires, lift kit, and possibly the suspension components. Estimated repair costs far exceed the deductible of their comprehensive insurance policy, which is set at $1,000. The teen’s truck, on the other hand, only incurred minor scratches.
Insurance and Liability Questions
This incident prompts several key considerations:
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Who holds responsibility for damages when a parked vehicle moves unintentionally? Generally, if the vehicle was properly parked and the driver exited without overt actions that could cause movement, liability might be less clear, but vehicle control and parking situational awareness are important factors.
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Does homeowner’s insurance cover such damages? Typically, homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect against incidents involving the dwelling and personal liability, but not necessarily damage caused by parked vehicles unless there’s a defined coverage or specific endorsement.
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Is this considered an auto insurance claim? Since the damage involved two vehicles, it’s likely appropriate to file a claim under the auto policy rather than homeowners.
Financial and Practical Implications
Given the vehicle values and repair estimates, the homeowner faces a difficult decision. Filing an auto insurance claim could cover repair costs but might impact the teen’s driving record and premiums, especially since this is his third at-fault incident since age 16. Conversely, using personal funds or repair budgets might strain finances, especially for a non-fully restored project truck.
Additional factors include prior claims on the homeowner’s insurance, such as a recent ice dam repair, which could influence rates if a claim is filed again.
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