Clarke said:
@Cameron How do you think this should be handled then?
If the parents are willing to file a police report, insurance should treat it as any other theft case. It’s not like the kid had any permission, and this isn’t some minor violation. It’s a real issue when an unlicensed minor takes a car.
Even if it’s considered theft, insurance might just subrogate the parents anyway, so the claim ends up being more trouble than it’s worth.
Cameron said:
Clarke said:
@Cameron How do you think this should be handled then?
If the parents are willing to file a police report, insurance should treat it as any other theft case. It’s not like the kid had any permission, and this isn’t some minor violation. It’s a real issue when an unlicensed minor takes a car.
Even if it’s considered theft, insurance might just subrogate the parents anyway, so the claim ends up being more trouble than it’s worth.
In a lot of states, ‘use without authority’ is still legally considered a theft-related offense, even if there’s no intent to keep the car. The consequences can be pretty severe.
Freeman said:
Cameron said:
Clarke said:
@Cameron How do you think this should be handled then?
If the parents are willing to file a police report, insurance should treat it as any other theft case. It’s not like the kid had any permission, and this isn’t some minor violation. It’s a real issue when an unlicensed minor takes a car.
Even if it’s considered theft, insurance might just subrogate the parents anyway, so the claim ends up being more trouble than it’s worth.
In a lot of states, ‘use without authority’ is still legally considered a theft-related offense, even if there’s no intent to keep the car. The consequences can be pretty severe.
So you’re saying it should be covered, but the insurance would then go after the person who took the car, which in this case would be the kid. That’s why this whole situation is so tough.
@Cameron If a toddler takes the car and crashes it, you’d have bigger problems than the car…
Hunter said:
@Cameron If a toddler takes the car and crashes it, you’d have bigger problems than the car…
You’re missing the point. The issue is that just because someone has access to the keys doesn’t mean they have permission. Insurance should cover theft when there’s clearly no permission given.
You keep saying you don’t want to make a police report just to have it not covered. The bigger question is: are you ready for your son to face serious legal trouble if you do file one?
Oli said:
You keep saying you don’t want to make a police report just to have it not covered. The bigger question is: are you ready for your son to face serious legal trouble if you do file one?
Good point. Defending against a felony charge could end up costing way more than the car is worth.
No police report, no claim. Simple as that. If you don’t report the theft, the insurance won’t cover it, even if it’s just a formality.
It’s a tough spot to be in, but if you don’t file the report, you’re probably going to have to take the hit on this one. In the future, maybe make sure your keys are better hidden if you think something like this could happen again.
It’s not likely to be covered under comprehensive as a theft, especially if your son has access to the keys and lives with you. You’ll probably have to accept this one as a loss.
Hunter said:
It’s not likely to be covered under comprehensive as a theft, especially if your son has access to the keys and lives with you. You’ll probably have to accept this one as a loss.
He hasn’t driven it before, at least that’s what he says, but yeah, that’s what I expected. Thanks.
Hunter said:
It’s not likely to be covered under comprehensive as a theft, especially if your son has access to the keys and lives with you. You’ll probably have to accept this one as a loss.
He hasn’t driven it before, at least that’s what he says, but yeah, that’s what I expected. Thanks.
In many places, car theft is a serious felony that can impact your son’s future for a long time. Be careful how you handle this.
Keenan said:
Hunter said:
It’s not likely to be covered under comprehensive as a theft, especially if your son has access to the keys and lives with you. You’ll probably have to accept this one as a loss.
He hasn’t driven it before, at least that’s what he says, but yeah, that’s what I expected. Thanks.
In many places, car theft is a serious felony that can impact your son’s future for a long time. Be careful how you handle this.
I had a claim a while back where a 13-year-old took their parent’s car and got into an accident. Even though they weren’t at fault, being unlicensed had a lasting impact on them.
On the bright side, you’ll probably save some money not having to pay insurance for a 16- or 17-year-old driver for a while. If it were my kid, they wouldn’t be driving again until they’re an adult. Gotta face the consequences.
Jay said:
On the bright side, you’ll probably save some money not having to pay insurance for a 16- or 17-year-old driver for a while. If it were my kid, they wouldn’t be driving again until they’re an adult. Gotta face the consequences.
That’s pretty much the direction I’m leaning.