Expert: Bennie719 - 12/19/2007

Question
My daughter attends college out of state and has her car on campus.  She had planned to leave her car there for the month that she will be home between semesters.  Now she tells me that she is planning to let her boyfriend take it home with him to keep an eye and and start up once a week or so.  I understand that mine is the primary coverage, and if he is not on the policy, my rates (theoretically) should not go up in case of an accident.  I am wondering, though, if there isn't some way that his insurance could be charged as opposed to mine as I would prefer to not have to involve mine at all, in the event of accident.

Answer
Hi Shelley,
A very bad idea.  I hope you can talk to your daughter and change her mind.
Once you gave her permission to drive the car, that permission allows her to give someone permission to drive, which allows that person permission to give someone else to drive the car, and there becomes a neverending list of permissive users.
Your daughter is senselessly putting all your assets on the line.  Not only is your policy primary, it is the ONLY coverage on the car.  Even if her boyfriend has a car, his policy does not extend to a car that has been left in his care and custody, and if he is also on his parents policy, there is definitely no coverage.  You become the only person liable NO MATTER how many times your daughters 'newest' love for life loans her car.
You simply can't jeopardize your future financial stability
by allowing your daughter to take this action.
Take whatever action that you deem necessary, even if it means having a family member drive up with you to retrieve the car, if your daughter can't realize the seriousness of the situation.
The next time that the car is home, transfer the ownership into your daughters name and put her on her own policy.
If you have properly notified the insurance company that her car is garaged at a different address, then the rates for 2 policies will be the same as you are now paying.
This will remove all liability from your shoulders.
And no, in the event of an accident his policy can't be charged, only yours.
I hope this has been of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will ne appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 12-19-07 8:55 AM PST