networkn:

 

Heh, that reminds me. I once a near new S4 for a drive, legitimately interested in purchasing it. I wouldn't say I thrashed it, but I drove it like I owned it and was pretty keen on it, till the guy told me what he would offer as a trade to which I laughed. He then proceeded to pull an ipad from the back seat document holder and low and behold there were a bunch of driving stats on the screen. He made a very pointed comment about how the average speed was much faster than people who usually test drive cars. 

 

When I test drive a car, I drive it like I stole it. I drive far harder than I ever plan on driving it normally. If it gets back to the dealer and the brakes aren't on fire and the engine isn't making contracting ticking noises then I haven't worked it hard enough. I once thrashed an Alfa 147, and when I took it back to the dealer I said. "I'll take one...but not this one" ok I probably went over the top with that poor car but you get the idea.

If I am buying privately it is a different story. I would expect the owner to come with me. I will still drive it hard but with more respect. I also check the owner has insurance and that it covers me to drive it. if not, I'm not touching it.

If you go to a dealer, they will make you sign a form that says you have to pay excess if something happens. If you are selling privately, it may be a good idea to get a similar type of form of someone to fill in. Or you drive the car on the test drive . Or you take the risk. Although I guess it depends on the the value of the vehicle. 

gzt: Driver is liable. If your insurance covers the driver, that driver is insured.

In a test drive situation at a dealer? That's an interesting one. Don't know the answer.

The driver is responsible. If you are the driver ask if he car is insured and what the excess is.

SATTV:

 

 

 

It is the same if you take your car to the mechanic and while they are taking the car on a test drive and have an accident.

 

 

 

Actually the business is Liable in that situation 

When I worked as a Car Valet I was the only one allowed to drive the expensive or exotic cars because I was the only one with a full license and was over 25 the companies insurance wouldn't cover the other 3 members of staff who were either under 25 or did not hold a full license

in your case even though the mechanic was hit from behind they should still have covered your excess next time tell them you don't want anyone under 25 or not a full license holder to drive your car simple as that

gzt: Driver is liable. If your insurance covers the driver, that driver is insured.

In a test drive situation at a dealer? That's an interesting one. Don't know the answer.

The OP is talking about the excess, rather than just the insurance cover. IANAL Although someone maybe insured, if it is the drivers fault, they still have to pay an excess. If it is the fault of the other driver in the case of two cars being involved, then if the driver can prove the fault was the other driver, than the insurance comapny may refund the excess. It is potentially quite complicated. I had an issue where an unsecured load came off a truck that I was following, and it hit my car. I had to pay the excess initially even though it wasn't my fault, but the insurance eventually got it off the truck driver, so they refunded me. Although that took the best part of two years chasing it up with the insurance company.Poor experience,

afe66: Ask your insurance company, no one else's opinions count..

This is going to sound smart arse but I am really trying not to be.... If you crash someone else's car you are going to pay for it.  If the car is insured for you as a driver (hopefully the policy isn't named driver only etc) they might pay out. Any excess is down to you. If someone else caused it, the insurance company might bother to chase it but they don't have to. It is your problem. How do I know this? Because I can read. (that's the smart arse bit).

My insurance company, and yours, are a pack of mongrels. You don't ask them for advice, you read there policy document and if you don't understand it you ask a Lawyer. You don't ask them.

mdooher:

 

 

 

My insurance company, and yours, are a pack of mongrels. You don't ask them for advice, you read there policy document and if you don't understand it you ask a Lawyer. You don't ask them.

 

 

 

Or the nicer term for them is, fair-weather friends.

mattwnz:

 

mdooher:

 

 

 

My insurance company, and yours, are a pack of mongrels. You don't ask them for advice, you read there policy document and if you don't understand it you ask a Lawyer. You don't ask them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or the nicer term for them is, fair-weather friends.

 

Indeed

BlinkyBill: For goodness sake! The misinformation.

If you own a car, you are responsible for the car, and for who drives it, and for insuring the car. If you let someone drive your car, that driver is not responsible for insurance. This is excepting professional situations such as a mechanic testing your car or similar where that mechanic will hold public liability insurance.

Unless you specifically and in writing make it clear to the test driver that they are responsible for all damages to the car, and they in writing accept that responsibility, then the car owner is responsible for any insurance arrangements. The policy describes if the insurance arrangements are named-driver only, or 25+ only, or dogs only, and those conditions apply to the test driver also. Excess provisions apply also.

This could not be simpler: the car is insured according to an insurance policy, the provisions of the policy apply to any driver of the car (i.e. whether that driver is covered or not, to what extent, and what excess applies), and it is up to the policy owner to make sure the car is driven within those bounds/limits. Otherwise there is no insurance coverage for the usage.

I do not understand why people don't clearly understand this. The same principle applies to any insurance policy.

This is so wrong, I almost don't know where to start.

If you let someone drive your car and that person crashes it is their problem. If your insurance covers them, then they, and you, are lucky. If it doesn't cover them you are both unlucky. But in any event the person causing the damage is ultimately responsible.

If you are stupid enough to drive someone else's car without enquiring into the insurance arrangements you could be in for a very big shock. If it is not insured or has a $5000 excess then you are going to be paying.

So as for the "in writing bit" above it is exactly the opposite. Unless you have it in writing that the car is insured.... it isn't! and you are a fool to drive it.

What do you thinks happens if you go to a car dealer and test drive his car and crash it? You pay! "Oh I thought it was insured" doesn't work in court. This is why you ask the dealer "how much is the excess" and "how far from the yard am I covered for"