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Auto Liability Insurance New York NY
Reader’s Question:
I didn’t know that my friend used my car this morning and I was relieved nothing bad happened. If she or somebody uses my car again without my permission and got into an accident, will my car insurance here in New York cover any damage? It also got me to thinking, if someone steals my car then gets into an accident, who pays for any damage?
Santos
Mount Vernon, NY
You will not probably be held responsible for any damages if your friend drove your car without your authorization. If this happens and she has car insurance coverage, her insurance would have to pay for the damages first. However, if she does not have car insurance, you almost certainly have to use your collision coverage out of your own car insurance in New York to pay for the damages to your car and your auto liability coverage would pay for the damages to other properties. Remember that car insurance providers would presume that your friend has your approval to drive your vehicle except that there are apparent signs that you didn’t give authorization or there are justifying situations like she was drunk when she took your vehicle without permission.
On the other hand, if your car was stolen and then the person who took it had an accident and caused damages, you will not be held liable for it; however, you most likely would have to utilize your collision coverage to cover those damages on your vehicle. But don’t expect that the robber has car insurance coverage and has sufficient money to cover for repairs and pay for medical bills. If the robber has car insurance, his insurer will not pay for his unlawful action.