Q: Am I liable if I drive someone else car with their permission and damage it in Florida
I paid someone to use their car and I got a flat tire. They are saying I damaged the the rim and interior of the car. Am I liable for the damages? I didn’t sign any contracts
A: You are liable if you in fact caused the damage. Your inquiry is vague as to whether you caused the damage, or if it was instead caused by forces beyond your control, or whether you agree or dispute that it occurred while in your possession. Whether you paid them or not, and whether you had a written contract or not, is irrelevant. The issue is whether or not you negligently (carelessly) damaged someone else's property. (For example, if you were visiting someone and picked up their vase to admire it, then accidentally dropped it, you'd be liable.) However, if you have potential liability and the car owner has comp/collision coverage under their insurance policy, one option is for the owner to use his/her insurance and have you pay him/her the deductible, likely to be $500 (that is, if the repair will cost over $500). Another issue is whether you have liability insurance that would cover you while driving someone else's vehicle.
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