Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 4/6/2011

Question
I was in a car accident yesterday. What happened was a vehicle 2cars ahead of me braked unexpectedly which caused the vehicle in front of me to do the same. She barely stopped on time. I unfortunately wasn't as lucky. The car I was driving is my moms who doesn't live in the same household as me. Apparently she never registered her new address with her insurance however the DMV registration for her car does have her new address. Her car is salvage and therefore doesn't have full coverage. My question is whether or not her insurance would cover damages done to the other vehicle since we do not live in the same household and have not done so for a few months now?  I am not a regular driver of the car.

Answer
Hi Jackie,

Not to worry. Your mom's insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicles upto the amount of liability coverage she has.

You may be asked to provide proof that you live at a different address. Assuming you can do that by showing a bill in your name at a different address then all should be just fine. Your mom is able to loan her vehicle to anyone that does not live in her household and they will be covered. Only household members must be listed as drivers on the policy.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh