Rental car insurance quandry

[Scottobot]

In the summer of 2009 a friend of mine from out of country was visiting. We rented a vehicle (Dodge Nitro) for a drive up to Quebec City. The agreement was in my name as I qualified for a corporate discount, and he was listed as an additional driver.

He took his wife down to Niagara Falls while I was finishing up work before we were to set off on the road trip. On the way back from Niagara he ended up rear-ending someone on the QEW. Apparently there was an accident a few cars ahead and everyone came to a sudden stop. Due to the weight of the vehicle (he says it had bad brakes, but hey, it's a Dodge) he didn't stop in time and bumped the car in front of him. The only visible damage to the car was two nicks where the license plate screws tagged the bumper. The lady he bumped insisted on calling the police regardless as she said her insurance was already high and she wanted to avoid any trouble, and she was concerned there may be damage to the vehicle that wasn't immediately apparent.

Fast forward to yesterday. My insurance company calls. Looks like I'm being sued for injuries sustained in an accident. Even though I wasn't in the car at the time, I'm being targeted since the policy was in my name.

I think there is likely not much I can do here, but there's no harm in putting it out there.. any suggestions as to what I can or should do about this?

[midnightfxgt]

http://www.lsuc.on.ca/faq.aspx?id=2147486372

Free 30min consultation with a lawyer. Should help... I have no idea how liable you are, so hopefully this helps

[Booost]

was the insurance your personal insurance or purchased from the rental company? thanks

[Pyro]

In the summer of 2009 a friend of mine from out of country was visiting. We rented a vehicle (Dodge Nitro) for a drive up to Quebec City. The agreement was in my name as I qualified for a corporate discount, and he was listed as an additional driver.

He took his wife down to Niagara Falls while I was finishing up work before we were to set off on the road trip. On the way back from Niagara he ended up rear-ending someone on the QEW. Apparently there was an accident a few cars ahead and everyone came to a sudden stop. Due to the weight of the vehicle (he says it had bad brakes, but hey, it's a Dodge) he didn't stop in time and bumped the car in front of him. The only visible damage to the car was two nicks where the license plate screws tagged the bumper. The lady he bumped insisted on calling the police regardless as she said her insurance was already high and she wanted to avoid any trouble, and she was concerned there may be damage to the vehicle that wasn't immediately apparent.

Fast forward to yesterday. My insurance company calls. Looks like I'm being sued for injuries sustained in an accident. Even though I wasn't in the car at the time, I'm being targeted since the policy was in my name.

I think there is likely not much I can do here, but there's no harm in putting it out there.. any suggestions as to what I can or should do about this?

Your insurance should cover you in this situation - normally you get like 1 or 2 million liability in your policy i believe, but you should check. if this is a real serious attempt to sue with letters from lawyers etc contact your insurance with the details and they should handle it - that's why you pay them. Sounds like a fraud case, tell your company the damage to the car (minimal) and they should investigate whether or not it's fraud.

If you bought the rental insurance, i don't know if they would cover you for that ... i doubt it, its probably only the damage for the car but if you have the paperwork check

[Scottobot]

We did purchase the insurance through the rental car company, and it's collision-only, no liability.
Yes my personal insurance will cover the liability suit.. it's just a pain, and I'm really pissed because not only was I not driving, I wasn't even in the car.

[Pyro]

We did purchase the insurance through the rental car company, and it's collision-only, no liability.
Yes my personal insurance will cover the liability suit.. it's just a pain, and I'm really pissed because not only was I not driving, I wasn't even in the car.

ya i feel you buddy , unfortunately thats how it is since you signed the car under your name.

I wonder if this would affect your rate - the collision was covered by the rental company, and you weren't driving the car....maybe you should "hypothetically ask"