Understanding Vehicle Collision Liability in Private Driveways: What Homeowners and Auto Insurance Cover
Dealing with unexpected vehicle accidents on private property can be a complex and stressful experience, especially when it involves multiple vehicles and insurance considerations. Here’s a scenario many homeowners and vehicle owners might find relatable, along with insights on navigating such incidents.
Scenario Overview
Imagine living in a quiet suburban neighborhood, where your parked vehicle is suddenly involved in an unexpected collision. A family member or guest’s vehicle, parked nearby, accidentally strikes your car while exiting or maneuvering in your driveway. The incident is captured on home security footage, showing the involved person has just exited their vehicle when it starts rolling back and hits yours.
Key Details
- Your vehicle: A 2017 Ford Expedition, parked in your driveway, with noticeable damage including a flat tire, bumper, headlight, and potentially suspension components. Its estimated value ranges from $12,000 to $14,000, and it is fully paid off.
- The other vehicle: An older, project-oriented Ford F100 truck, which was parked uphill from your vehicle. The 20-year-old driver, who is covered under their mother’s insurance policy, parked and then exited the truck. Upon closing the door, the truck inadvertently rolled backward, striking your parked vehicle.
- Insurance situation: You have broad collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible, which would likely cover at least part of the repairs. The other vehicle, being a vintage project truck, has license and insurance but sustained only minor scratches.
- Location: Wayne County, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit).
Critical Questions
When such an incident occurs, many individuals wonder about liability and insurance coverage:
- Who is at fault if the driver simply exited their vehicle?
- Would homeowner’s insurance policies extend coverage to such vehicle damage?
- Could this incident be considered an act of God or a random accident?
- From a financial perspective, which insurance claim is more costly in the long run?
Legal and Insurance Considerations
Liability generally hinges on control and negligence. If the vehicle was properly parked, and the driver had just exited the vehicle without intentionally causing damage, liability often defaults to the vehicle owner’s insurance. Since the truck inadvertently rolled and hit the parked Expedition, the parked vehicle’s owner might file a claim with their collision coverage.
Your homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover damages caused by moving vehicles, unless the damage resulted from a specific covered peril,
