Posted on 09/13/2010 2:33:55 PM PDT by texan75010
Vanity Post - I have a question about automobile liability for the state of Texas. I have a step daughter who had her license suspended for a month for a probation violation.
But, she also got a speeding ticket that she has not yet gone to court for. She was driving 70mph in a 45. I do not want her driving any of my vehicles ever again. The auto insurance company tells me I can sign a waiver that absolves them from all liability if she were to ever get behind the wheel of any of my cars.
My question is, if she did take one of my cars and wrecks, could I be held liable for damages she causes? Does it make a difference if she no longer lives with me and my wife?
Bottom line is, if I carry her on my insurance, my rates will go sky high. She is 16 years old, she will be going to live somewhere else in 10 days either juvenile detention or a group home. But she has been sneaking out, stealing keys, so for the next 10 days who knows if she will get her hands on a key and who knows what she will do.
And yes, if I could have her locked up now I would. She was in court today and she will be locked up in 10 days...just how things work.
In the meantime, she stays with us and I just want to make sure I am not liable for any of her bad behavior.
Thanks
Free advice is usually worth every penny. Keep that in mind. I think you’d need to be able to show that you took concrete steps to prevent her from using the vehicle(s). Good luck to you and prayers that she sees the light soon.
There is a good chance that she has already made copies of your key(s), unless they are chipped.
Every night when your done and going to stay home, pull the ignition fuse on the cars, show your wife how, very easy. Should she steal the keys the car will not start, she can crank it forever, wont start. Depends on what kind of car you drive on how easy it is to locate. You can be held responsible for her actions.
You have way more problems than a car wreck. You are watching a train wreck. The young lady needs help. Hide your keys and let her hit her bottom. Be its Juvenile Detention or jail. I suspect substance abuse and possible mental disorders. Don’t enable her. Cut her off and let her learn on her own. Don’t bail her out. Your sanity comes first.
It’s still alive and kicking :-). I bought one of these years ago ... it should do the job to help prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle even if the daughter has the keys.
I’d do the club + remove a plug wire or two ... that’ll be more than enough. Sure, it’s a pain, but it’ll prevent more problems.
I own an agency and would agree with many of the comments here. First and foremost, do not sign an exclusion. If she does get a car and cause damage to someone else you would no longer be covered. At least you have coverage now. Later, if she moves to another home, permanently, you can exclude her and if she comes and steals your car, you are no more liable than if I stole your car and ran someone over. Buy an umbrella liability policy. Cheap to purchase and adds coverage in increments of $1M. Finally, pray for your daughter and your family and know that you will eventually get through this.
“Emancipate her a.s.a.p.” as the pp stated...Only thing that saved my parents from ruin by the system and my crazy sister
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