Reader’s Question:
If the guy from the auto shop drove your vehicle and got into an accident, whose insurance carrier covers the damages or pays for the car if it is totaled? I live in Houston Texas
Ben
Houston, TX
If a repair shop or mechanic drove your vehicle and had an accident you should check to see first if they have car insurance to cover the accident. The auto repair shop might have a business insurance policy to cover their mechanics when they are operating customer’s cars.
The car garage might instead say that you will need to put accident through your own personal car insurance policy. If so, you may check with your insurance carrier about making a claim. To check your consumer rights in a situation like this in Texas check with the TX Department of Insurance.
Texas Insurance is like most other states in that insurance typically follows the car first and driver second. For instance, liability coverage in Texas normally covers you, your family members and other person driving your vehicle with your permission thus if a friend operates your car with permission and is at-fault in an accident your insurance would be used as primary and the friend’s secondary.