Reader’s Question:

I live in my father’s house in Brandon, Florida, but I hardly ever use his vehicle. If I have to drive her car, can I receive a ticket for failure to maintain financial responsibility even though the vehicle has auto insurance, I am not in the car insurance policy, and I am not a regular motorist.

Paul

Brandon, FL

Generally, the owner of the car is responsible to properly insure the car. However, as a motorist, you can be held accountable for not carrying enough car insurance to meet Florida financial responsibility law. So, on a separate issue, if you live with your father and you drive your father’s car - even once - you need to be listed on his insurance policy as a motorist. If your father fails to list you as a driver, he runs the risk of having his insurance carrier deny a claim for an accident that involves you. Therefore, if you are not going to be added as a driver on his policy in Brandon Florida and you are concerned about meeting your state’s financial responsibility laws, you can buy a “non owner” policy. Many insurance carriers offer a “non owner policy to those who drives occasionally but doesn’t own his/her own car. A “non owner” policy typically includes liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages and medical payments.

Tags: auto insurance, automobile, driving without insurance, non owners insurance