Is My Family Member Liable?

When financial situations get rough for recently graduated students or the victims of job loss, many turn back to their families for help. Whether renting out a room in a brother’s attic or staying with an aunt and uncle for a month, at some point, a family member may need to use another family member’s car to get around. When these situations occur, some confusion can arise concerning who is responsible in the event of an accident. In insurance law, the family purpose doctrine is the philosophy behind several state laws that govern liability in the case of a relative caught in a traffic accident.

Of course, these laws are largely put in place with the assumption that the car is legally insured. With car insurance, a legal necessity in the vast majority of states, obtaining coverage that satisfies state requirements should be one of the primary steps in the car-buying process. If you need insurance or would like to switch your policy to an insurer with local agents and a record of reliability, contact the Illinois car insurance agents of Insure on the Spot at 1-888-972-SAVE today to discuss your coverage options.

Illinois Standards

According to previous court cases concerning negligence and liability, Illinois has some specific precedents when state law is tested. The following may help you understand if your relative can be found liable:

• The family purpose doctrine does not exist in Illinois, meaning that the driver, not owner, will generally be held liable for damages
• Guests driving a vehicle require a clear sign of negligence to be held liable
• To clear themselves from liability issues and protect themselves, passengers can and should interfere with drivers unable to uphold standards of safe driving

As insurance liability can prove complex and troublesome at times, creating a relationship with your insurance company to keep you informed can be a valuable plan of action.

Contact Us

Contact the Illinois car insurance agents of Insure on the Spot at 1-888-972-SAVE to learn more about your local insurance options today.