What can I do if my car was hit by a stolen car but I only have liability insurance?
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What can I do if my car was hit by a stolen car but I only have liability insurance?
Asked on January 8, 2016 under Accident Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
You may not be able to do anything, unfortunately:
1) If you only have liability insurance, your insurer does not need to pay.
2) The owner of a stolen car is not liable for any accidents the car thief gets into, because the thief did not have his permission to drive or take the car. And since the owner is not liable, his insurer is not liable, either.
3) You could sue the car thief, but a) you have to find him; b) he'd have to have money to pay you. This is unlikely.
This is why it is a good idea to have collision coverage: to provide compensation when there is no one else to get it from.
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