If my 19 year old son hit a pedestrian with his own car, can I be held liable if I insured it?

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If my 19 year old son hit a pedestrian with his own car, can I be held liable if I insured it?

My insurance company says I am liable for Bodily Injury Liability over $50,000 because I insured his vehicle even though he owns his car and is a adult. Is this true?

Asked on October 22, 2014 under Accident Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

Normally, a non-owner, non-driver of a car is not responsible for the accidents, etc. of his or her adult children. However, if your son is on your insurance  (as opposed to the much safer for your situation of you merely giving your son money with which he can buy his own insurance, with which you are not connected) and if the policy states that you would be liable for bodily injury over $50k, then you would be--a contract (and an insurance policy is a contract) making person A liable or responsible for the acts or damages of person B is legal and enforceable. So if you have signed your name to policy that would make you liable, you could indeed be held liable.


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