Reader Question

My car just broke before I went to work, because I will be late for work, I asked my boyfriend if I could borrow his car and of course he agreed. However, since I was in a hurry, I bumped into a parked car. Both the parked car and the car of my boyfriend were damaged. I called up my boyfriend and he told me the bad news that his car does not have any car insurance.

I would like to know if it is possible that my car’s auto insurance policy will cover the damage done to the parked car.

Sally, Chicago IL

Sally dear,

You have engaged yourself into a complicated situation and it seems there is a slight chance of getting out of that mess.

Your idea of having your policy stepping in and eventually pay for the damages to the parked car that you hit, would now depend on how your policy was worded. Try to check your policy. In your policy, if you can read this line, exclusion for vehicles ‘available for your regular use’, you may be screwed up.

As to your boyfriend’s car, your policy will not cover for the damage done. Your insurance policy excludes any damages done to non-owned vehicles, which are under your care, custody and control.

In the state of Illinois and like any other states in the US, it is illegal to drive without insurance. Therefore, if the owner of the car that you bumped or the insurance company will not be paid for the damage done, what they can do is report the matter to the Illinois Secretary of State office and what is worst you and/or your boyfriend will face sanctions such as fines or even revocation of your driver’s license.