What happens if a family member dies to the car and car insurance coverage?
Angela : What Is “Legal Responsibility To Maintain and Use” Your Covered Auto? What happens if a family member dies to the car and car insurance coverage?
Response : “Legal responsibility to maintain and use” refers to coverage to drive the car to repair shops, oil changes, tire dealers, etc. A legal representative using the car for personal use is not permitted. Nor does the policy allow the legal representative to let others drive the car.
The personal auto policy contains overly restrictive coverage limitations that aren’t consistent with what happens in the real world. In practice, when someone dies, it’s common for surviving family members to use the deceased’s car for personal use until the car is sold as part of the estate resolution. Not only does the deceased’s insurer not cover such use, but even the personal auto policies of family members won’t either! Non-owned auto coverage specifically excludes vehicles “furnished or available for your regular use.” Those policies also exclude your legal liability for damage you cause to the deceased’s car under the “care, custody, and control” exclusion.
Who Needs Coverage?
Following a death with no surviving spouse, the following need coverage for the ownership of the deceased’s vehicle until it is sold: the deceased’s estate, the legal representative of the estate, and any possible drivers. If the vehicle is new enough to need collision and comprehensive coverage, the ownership interest of the estate needs to be protected for vehicle damage or theft as well.
This is something which is not know by all persons. Compare your auto insurance coverage and rates constantly and be aware that you can save on auto insurance.
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