My "friend" was driving my car today and got in an accident. He hit an object, no injuries – it was a short concrete barrier thing. I notified the police because it's extensive damage in the car and the airbags deployed. He left the scene… witnesses said they saw a man get out of the car so they know it wasn't me driving. They said though since they can't prove he was driving I can't really pursue anything against him.
I am not sure if I should involve insurance for a few reasons – I do have collision but I am not 100% sure if my insurance allows someone else to be driving. I think it does but I can't get ahold of them til Monday. I assume the car is going to be a write off because it's a 2014 and the damage to the front might be too much. I am worried that if I put in a claim my premiums will go up a lot and it might be better to just buy a beater car in the meantime.
The "friend" is now ignoring me and I am worried he might not have an active driver's license because the police couldn't find him in our province's license database. He did move here so it's possible he has a license from another province which they are going to look into. If I report to insurance do I need to give them his license? If he doesn't have one then they could refuse the claim I would think? Should I just pretend I was driving or will they likely require the police report because of the amount so then they would know it wasn't me driving.
I am panicking right now and very stressed out and really regret letting someone borrow my car! Any advice would really help.
Tricky situation – Friend crashed my car
byu/marpix17 inInsurance
Posted by marpix17
7 Comments
If you have collision you’re covered with insurance most likely. Also, if he has his own car insurance use his. He will be covered under his insurance (most likely) assuming he has collision coverage as well
Insurance generally follows the car, not the driver. If they don’t live with you and you let them borrow it one time or infrequently you would likely be covered. You need to file a claim if you want to get paid for the loss. There is a good chance that your premiums will increase but no one knows that for sure. Even with that considered it seems silly to me not to file a claim when you have a total loss. You’re out a vehicle and have paid premiums for coverage, time to use what you paid for.
you need to file a police report and fill it out honestly. And you need to contact your insurance company and answer their questions honestly as well. And then when your insurance settles it you sue your friend in court for your out of pocket expenses. Dishonestly seems to be clouding your judgement here
Do not say you were driving. That is fraud.
I lent a friend my truck because she was moving and she almost totaled my vehicle. I thought her insurance would cover it, but nope, it follows the car, not the driver. My insurance paid and IIRC my premium didn’t increase. I honestly don’t know whether or not an insurance company would be willing to cover damages for a driver who didn’t have a valid license, I believe that probably varies with each provider. Who are you insured with?
If you gave your friend permission to use your vehicle they won’t pursue him for the accident. They will cover you and your friend as the permissive use driver. It will be an at fault loss and your rates will go up unless you have accident forgiveness. If there’s any damage to what he hit you’ll probably have to file anyway to cover that.
Some “friend”!
Left the scene of an accident and now he is ghosting you.
Take off the gloves! Give the police and your insurance carriers your friend’s information and get him to man up whether he has insurance or not.
I agree that your insurance should pay the physical damage if you have collision as long as your friend had your permission to drive the car and didn’t live in your house.