Car Insurance Experts? Hypothetical? Who pays?

Question

Okay...your car gets stolen and the thief smashes up 9 cars on the same block, flips your car and flees the scene before he can be indentified.

Who's insurance pays for the damage? Each individual car owner's policy? OR the owner of the stolen vehicle? What about if one of the victims only have liability can they sue the car owner?

Just curiouos. I saw on the news last night that this happened to people recently. A stolen SUV side wiped a bunch of cars, flipped it and took off.

Answer 1

In this case I will refer to you as the person who had their vehicle stolen. Your liability insurance would not pay for the nine vehicles that were damaged because "you" were not liable for the damage. In order for insurance coverage to "kick in" on a vehicle the vehicle has to be driven by someone who fits the policies definition of an "insured". A criminal who has stolen a vehicle most certainly does not fit the definition of insured.

The nine damaged vehicles would have to submit a 1st party comprehensive or collision claim, depending upon their policies wording.

The vehicle that was stolen would also be covered under its 1st party coverages.

There is no liability claim to be made for this situation, because there are no wrongful acts committed by any insured.

Answer 2

the stolen car (veh 1) is covered under the comprehensive coverage

the subsequent vehicles are would be paid under the liability coverage up to the limit of the policy,

in this case the nine cars would have to submit there property damage and would be paid proportionatly to there losses as opposed to nine way split.

but before the insurance company pays anybody they must receive a release of liability from all parties to protect the insured. or everybody goes to court.


best way is to have your own carrier handle it and subrogate to the primary insurance. let them fight the battle that's why we pay premiums

Answer 3

Your own insurance company would be the prime insurer. This is likely a case where your liability coverage might be exceeded.
If the culprit is ever caught, the insurance company can go after him to recover the damages. The process is called subrogation.

Answer 4

whats up, this declare will in common words be coated on your own coverage once you've finished disguise. TPFT gained't disguise damage brought about with the help of yet another activities motor vehicle to yours. the fireplace element is disguise on your motor vehicle being vandalised and set alight. when it comes to the thief being courtroom it is likewise maximum perfect. your own insurers will nevertheless not settle for a declare if the thief is stuck, the in common words decision you've is that if the thief is stuck you could then declare off the insurers of the stolen motor vehicle as a nil.33 social gathering. because it stands at present both your self and the stolen motor vehicle proprietors are both innocuous sufferers of the thief and since the stolen motor vehicle's insurers haven't any individual to get better they expenses off then they haven't any criminal responsibility to fulfill your declare

Answer 5

IF and only if your vehicle is reported as stolen BEFORE any accident, you should not be held liable for any damages caused by unauthorized use of your vehicle. (That's assuming due vigilance on your part, not parked in a bad neighborhood unlocked with the keys hanging in the ignition.)

Answer 6

This would be paid on each cars insurance under collision, however, they will not be charged an accident...no rate increase...

Answer 7

Too bad for those who only have liability