insurance and test drives

[thgear]

Insurance in canada is based on the vehicle

so if i let John Doe test drive my car, and they get into an accident, my insurance has to pay out (according to my insurance broker)

does that meant to get that money back, i have to go to small claims court to get the money out of John Doe?

what about the increase in my premium?

[Mike H]

I believe the answer is yes to getting the $$ from Mr Doe and your premiums will be treated as if you had been driving the car.

[Cliff96]

Each province is a little different (they all have slightly different rules, but are generally similar).

Easiest way to sum it up: you lend your car, you lend your insurance.

It's not up to you as the policy holder to sue the driver, it's up to the insurance company (you delegated your rights to the insurance company when you bought and agreed to the policy).

In almost all cases you as the policy holder are on the hook for the increase in premiums. An exception for some insurance companies would be if you could prove the driver who was at fault while driving your car is being rated for the accident by another company.

[abrracing]

From experience I can tell you that if one of our techs is road testing your vehicle and has an accident, its YOUR insurance that is responsible for the claim. A test drive would also be the same.

[thgear]

that's pretty scary

so what happens if your tech does get into an accident, do you guys just shrug your shoulders and walk away.

that seems like a rather scary proposition

i'd like to sell my car very soon, so i'm preparing all the documents.

is there any way i can protect myself? Can i make the test driver sign a contract?

I'm worried about the worst case scenario. Let's say the dink that test drives my car decides to run a late yellow and t-bones someone, do i have no recourse?

[darcyw]

If and when my car goes to the dealer, i tell them specifically NOT to drive my car off the lot. I haven't had to take it in until just recently for an alignment- that i paid too much for.

I don't take my car to the dealer typically.

Originally Posted by thgear

is there any way i can protect myself? Can i make the test driver sign a contract?

I'm worried about the worst case scenario. Let's say the dink that test drives my car decides to run a late yellow and t-bones someone, do i have no recourse?

I'd say, go on the test drive for him/her, but you drive them to a deserted parking lot and let them test drive it there(?).

darcy

[BlackLineRacing]

When they ask to test drive the vehicle ask to see valid drivers license and sign a sheet stating that any damage to the vehicle and or accidents will be paid by the test driver, sign and date the sheet and you should be fine. I also am always in the passenger seat as a witness to anything that may happen. Just because you get in an accident doesn't mean you have to claim it through your insurance.