Collision Coverage Auto Insurance Apple Valley California CA
Filed under: Auto Insurance Quotes, Auto Insurance Tips, Insurance Quotes
Reader’s Question:
A car was stolen from a dealership, hit my car. My car is totaled and I only had liability insurance in Apple Valley, California. The auto dealership’s insurance carrier said that since they reported the car stolen three months prior to the accident they are not responsible and will not pay for my vehicle. Is this correct?
Sandy
Apple Valley, CA
Generally unless the at-fault driver is found, the one who stole the car from the dealership and hit your vehicle, there is no one to go after for the damages to your automobile. If you had collision coverage on your car you could place a first party insurance claim with your own insurance carrier however with since you only have liability coverages in Apple Valley, California, this is not possible.
The owner of the car, to be held liable for damages sustained to your vehicle, they would have to have given permission to the driver to drive the car. Since it was stolen obviously there was no permission given for the vehicle to be driven and so usually the dealership could not be held liable for the thief hitting your car with their stolen automobile.
You may want to check with a lawyer to be sure what the stolen car owner can be held responsible for in your state.