Will My Car Insurance Cover My Car If I Loan It To a Friend in New York?
Reader’s Question:
What will happen if I loan my vehicle in Hamburg, New York to a friend and he got cited for driving without a license and a ticket for speeding. Will it affect my auto insurance?
Carol
Hamburg, NY
If your friend borrow your vehicle and he got cited for driving without a license and a ticket for speeding, normally the ticket will be written to your friend and will not affect your automobile insurance rate premium. However, if the ticket was written against the car then it could affect your auto insurance rate depending on what the violation was.
Usually it is best that you lend your vehicle to someone who has a valid drivers license. Some insurance carriers will not cover if the driver does not have a valid drivers license and got into an accident, depending on the exclusion on your car insurance policy. Even if the insurance company will cover it, your automobile insurance rate in New York will be affected.
My Car Was Stolen In New York Will My Liabilty Insurance Cover It?
Reader’s Question:
My vehicle was stolen last week and I only have liability insurance so I am pretty sure it is not covered. Should I cancel my auto insurance in NY? Would I be held liable if the thief cause damages to other property with my vehicle?
Cory
Levittown, NY
Since you did not have comprehensive coverage on your car in NY unfortunately you are correct it is not covered for being stolen. You should still have notified your insurance companies of the car being taken without your permission and verify from your insurance broker when you should cancel your insurance policy on the car.
Typically if your stolen car has been recovered but is found to have caused damages to other cars when it was in the possession of the thief, you are not held liable for these damages. Normally to be held liable for damages caused by your vehicle, you would have to give the driver permission to operate the car.
To get consumer help about this situation, beyond what your car insurance agent can tell you, you may try contacting your state’s insurance regulator.
I am Moving Out Of State – Do I Keep My Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I am planning to move to Colorado from Ramapo, New York. I still have a New York State license. I would like to know if I wait until I change my New York State license to CO before I purchase car insurance?
Russell
Ramapo, NY
According to the Colorado DMV if you have recently moved to CO, you must apply for a CO registration and title for your car within thirty days from establishing CO residency. You must provide proof of car insurance to your county clerk before registration can happen. You may use your copy of your car insurance policy, auto insurance card, or a letter from your insurance provider, as proof of your car insurance.
It is a personal decision if you want to wait to buy insurance until after you have changed your drivers license from a New York one to a CO issued driver’s license but if you want wait to change over your car insurance from New York to Colorado you should be sure that your NYS insurance provider will cover you properly until this is done.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Stolen Car With Keys Left In Ignition?
Reader’s Question:
If your vehicle is stolen while the keys are still in the car does full coverage car insurance still cover the car in New York? What if the car is under someone else’s name?
Allan
New York, NY
Let’s say you are using a friend’s vehicle with their permission and it was stolen while the keys were in it, your friend’s comprehensive coverage should cover the car. But, there are certain exclusions that may apply. Ultimately, the claims adjuster would know if this loss would be covered.
The claims process differs by insurance company. You can expect it to take three to thirty days depending on the situation. It would be best to keep your car insurance payments current until the lien has been settled. You may also want to consider getting GAP insurance too.
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