If I was in a car accident in a car that belonged to my dad but I was not named in the policy, do I have to pay for the damages or will the insurance company cover any of it?

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If I was in a car accident in a car that belonged to my dad but I was not named in the policy, do I have to pay for the damages or will the insurance company cover any of it?

Asked on February 8, 2016 under Accident Law, New Jersey

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

If you were not at fault in the accident, then the property damage claim (cost of repairs to your dad's car) and your personal injury claim (if you were injured) would be filed with the at-fault party's insurance company.
If you were at fault in the accident, your dad's insurance might deny the claim of the other party because you were not on the policy and were therefore an unauthorized driver.  If that occurs, the other party would sue you and your dad for negligence (since he is the registered owner of the vehicle) for property damage (cost of repairs to the other party's vehicle) and if injured a separate personal injury claim.  The personal injury claim would include compensation for the medical bills, compensation for pain and suffering, an amount in addition to the medical bills, and compensation for wage loss.  


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