Q: I am the registered owner of a car. My daughter drives the car and has it insured on her own policy in her name.
My daughter is 33 years old. I would transfer the car to her name, but when I bought the car I purchased an extended warranty that is good for another year. If I don't make a claim on the warranty the money I paid for it ($2300) will be refunded to me. I'd like to have the chance to get the money back, but don't want to risk my assets to do so. My question: If she has an accident could I be held liable, since I am the legal owner? Could an injured party sue me for an amount in excess of her policy's liability coverage?
A: A lot depends on Washington law but generally, your insurance would be secondary to hers. Do you have the car listed on your policy? If not list it as a covered vehicle. In most states the person has to show you were at fault to hold you (as oppsed to your insurance) personally liable.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
