Car insurance help

G

garyt1957

Member
Not sure where to post this, so I put it here. My Dad is 92 and still drives. Very seldom, but he'll go to the corner bank or donut shop once a month or so. I've driven with him and he drives fine .His car insurance is sky high. They always say it's something about Medicare being his first insurance?
Anyway, I'm thinking of putting his car in my name and paying the insurance for the extra car and letting him use it. Is there any downside to me for doing this? Could I be sued if he got in an accident? He's not ready to give up his independence yet, but over $900 for 6 months coverage to drive maybe 10 times total is outrageous.
He has no tickets or accidents in the last 25 years at least.
 

Seriously, I would be more worried about someone hitting him. At 92, I believe his, or anyone's bones who is 92 would be at serious risk to a debilitating injury, even if it would be a slight bump from another driver. If that was my dad, I would have him take the bus.
 

You could get some online insurance quotes to see if your present insurance coverage is in the ball park. Then you're the one to take on the responsibility of putting your 92 year old father behind the wheel. You're the only one, who can judge his mental and physical abilities.
I don't know any law stuff, but it's entirely possible you could get stuck for a lot more than $900/6 months if he has ANY problems while on your policy.
 
The answer to your question about getting sued varies from state to state. In my state the answer is yes, as you would be the owner of the car.

I think the idea of his premiums being raised because Medicare is his first health insurance is crap. Neither I nor anyone I know has had rates raised because they are on Medicare, including myself and my neighbor, who is 90. His rates actually went down because he drives fewer miles.

I think you should call the insurance company yourself and ask them what the deal is. ALSO, check around with other insurance carriers and see what they say.

I wouldn't put the car in my name, because I wouldn't want to risk the liability in case of an accident.

Is your dad a veteran? If the answer is yes, check with USAA insurance.
 
Gary, All states differ but your father's premiums are outrageous. There are plenty of insurance companies to get information from. I would check to see if the car is in your name and you list him as an additional driver on your policy, what would your policy be. Similar to adding your child, when they get their license, to your policy. Your policy rate goes up but I doubt as high as he is paying on his own.
 
We have State Farm. My wife drives about 1,500 miles/year. We get a tremendous discount keeping her car under 7,500 miles/year. We pay less for insurance on her 2015 Impala than on my 2014 truck, simply because she puts so few miles on. Find a company that will give a discount for low mileage driving.

I would be really hesitant about adding him to my own policy. Depending on your insurance, if an insured on your policy has an accident, that might throw you into a higher risk category. Should your dad pass in the next few years, you could be stuck with the high risk cost of insurance for a long, long time. If it came down to it, I'd be more apt to help him with payments of his own insurance than add him to mine.

Respectfully, 92 years old is too old to be driving on the streets and highways. If I do live that long, the kids well better have taken away my keys!!! Reflexes, sight, hearing... nothing works quite as well as it once did. It is wonderful that your dad is still able to drive at that age. It isn't wonderful if his age becomes the cause of someone else's death or severe injury. The independence of driving to the corner market isn't worth having to live with that.
 
One additional thought. I am 69, soon to be 70. Am still working so drive 25,000 to 30,000 miles/year. I know I'm not as sharp as I once was. Driving the amount I do in all kinds of traffic, I believe keeps me cognizant of what it takes to keep myself and other drivers safe. My wife is in excellent health and is a year younger than I. She could not navigate heavy traffic situations as well as I, simply because she does not drive that much. You dad's taking occasional short trips does not keep him "tuned up" to meet what can happen in a split second on the streets and highways.
 
My neighbor is 90 and he is a fine driver. I ride with him quite often. He's also in very good physical shape and still does his beautiful woodworking and his (and some of my) home repairs. Age isn't always a gauge of how "with it" a person is.

Having said that, I would still strongly advise against putting his car in your name and/or adding him to your policy. An accident could have VERY serious long term, and possibly disastrous, financial repercussions on you. As Grumpy said above, if it comes to it, help him with him premiums, but don't add him to your policy.
 

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