"Neighbor" post question... Insurance and exercise

[path1]

Don’t you love “neighbor” posts? After reading a “neighbor” post of what the supposedly “Neighbor” did, you realize it wasn’t the “neighbor” but the poster that actually goofed something up..


Well this post is really is a “Neighbor” post. Let me explain…

One of our neighbors, became a widower about a year ago and recently had a minor stoke a couple months ago. He has been told he can’t drive at all. His Class A or any other vehicle till he has more re-hab (if ever again IMO) anyway after his wife passed he has not used OR started (their) his Class A, maybe a 35 footer. RV has not moved maybe 6 months or more in his steep driveway.

He has a daughter in San Diego (long way from Seattle) so no help there. He has very little contact with the outside world, especially since his wife passed. Wives clothes still in RV and he can’t bring himself to take them out. Also made me really think about my own situation.

I’m retired and time to help him.. He called his insurance agent (no call back yet) about somebody else driving his RV. He doesn’t “do computers” so I’m posting a "Neighbor" post here to maybe get some answers of what others think. I don’t want to work on any of his maint stuff but thinking about taking his RV for hour drive and then have and dealer “winterize” his RV would not be out of line.. Which the “winterize” could be for long time (IMO) I wouldn’t mind driving his RV once a month or 2 till he gets back into it, if he can. But not going to do anything that involves anything mechanical (change oil, filters, etc).

Our talk boiled down to 2 questions.


Question 1… His driveway is step, I would say less step than 4/12 pitch roof but still pretty steep. Is it alright to run gen at that angle? Gen is Onan, looks bigger than my Microquiet 3500 in my small class C. We Don’t want to run gen if not it’s not getting oiled properly because of his driveway angle. We booth agree on that point. He used to run gen going down the road to exercise engine and gen due to the steepness.

Question 2…If I drove it around to exercise other parts (motor, trans etc) or anywhere on a public road is there any liability put upon me?

Thanks

[path1]

OP here...another update.

After printing out some responses and both of us (rv owner and myself) we came up with "plan B" which should solve the problem, atleast for awhile.

He is going to pay to have his RV driven to a storage lot. The drive to the storage lot is about 45 min away so RV will get exercised and gen will be running so it also will get some exercise. RV will be winterized by his RV dealer on the way to storage.

Today we're going to make sure batteries are OK or put them on charger for the drive tomorrow.

Seems like a good deal for him and I after reading the answers to the question. Or atleast the best we could come up with.

Sure is sad that it is so hard to help out people nowdays.

Thanks for all the responses.

[toedtoes]

Mr.Mark wrote:
Toedtoes, I think you hit the nail on the head. You are covered by your insurance but the insurance on the car is the first carrier then onto yours if needed.

My info comes from our TN insurance as they basically stated that the insurance follows the car.

MM.

Generally, yes. But there are so many variables that you cannot plan on the vehicle's insurance to pay. It is far better to speak to the insurance agents for the driver's insurance AND the vehicle's insurance and determine if either will provide coverage. Also, apparently, there are some states that have specific laws that affect the general rule also.

[CA_Traveler]

OP,

It's great that you want to help, my concerns:
1. Apparently the rig is parked at a steep angle based on your gen question. As soon as you get behind the wheel the brakes must be fully functional but the rig has been sitting for an extended period of time. Who knows their condition?
2. The rig breaks down while you're driving - who resolves the issues?
3. Insurance is a big concern. You're driving - who's insurance is in effect? If his and a claim exceeds the limits then what? Or if it's your insurance?

[path1]

OP here... Thanks for all the replies...

Going to look at his gen to get model number then look up or call Onan and see if it has a shut down switch if not enough oil getting slashed around.

And printed out several remarks to give to him so he can see what both of us are up against.

I have no problem helping this neighbor out but not going to put myself in a possible jam.

[Mr_Mark1]

Toedtoes, I think you hit the nail on the head. You are covered by your insurance but the insurance on the car is the first carrier then onto yours if needed.

My info comes from our TN insurance as they basically stated that the insurance follows the car.

MM.

[toedtoes]

My insurance has specifically told me that they will cover me if I am driving someone else's vehicle. Now they may go after that person's insurance for reimbursement, but regardless, I am covered. I know some folks whose insurance will specifically NOT cover them in any other vehicle but the one on their policy.

It's all very convoluted and there is no "one way" regardless of location, company, individual. (For example, within the same company and same location: a sibling was not covered driving any vehicle but the one on her policy; I was covered with any vehicle).

[Mr_Mark1]

toedtoes wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
I asked this specific question to my agent about letting someone not living in my household drive my vehicle. She said in the event the driver CAUSES an accident, I have complete coverage BUT the fault of the accident will be marked against me (6 years) if/and any related rate increases would be against me.

These would be Canadian insurance regulations.

S

This is where it gets tricky. Depending on who reports the accident and to whose insurance company, the marks (and rate increase) could hit either or both (driver and/or vehicle owner). With my insurance, if a friend drives my vehicle, is in an accident, and I report it to my insurance, they will pay out and I will see the effects of that claim. They likely will go after the friend's insurance to get reimbursed (in which case, the friend will see the effects of that claim also). If I am driving a friend's vehicle and am in an accident, my insurance will pay out. They will likely not go after the vehicle owner's insurance. Only I will see the effects of the claim.

My understanding is that insurance follows the car. No matter who is driving the car or who is at fault, the insurance follows the car. If a friend is borrowing your car and is in an accident and it's the other driver's fault, the other driver's insurance will fix your car and the 'friend's' insurance will not be of any importance.

If the accident is the 'friend's' fault who is driving your car, then your car insurance will pay, not your friends. I just can't think of a situation where the 'friend's insurance will be involved when his/her car is not involved.

MM.

[toedtoes]

spud1957 wrote:
I asked this specific question to my agent about letting someone not living in my household drive my vehicle. She said in the event the driver CAUSES an accident, I have complete coverage BUT the fault of the accident will be marked against me (6 years) if/and any related rate increases would be against me.

These would be Canadian insurance regulations.

S

This is where it gets tricky. Depending on who reports the accident and to whose insurance company, the marks (and rate increase) could hit either or both (driver and/or vehicle owner). With my insurance, if a friend drives my vehicle, is in an accident, and I report it to my insurance, they will pay out and I will see the effects of that claim. They likely will go after the friend's insurance to get reimbursed (in which case, the friend will see the effects of that claim also). If I am driving a friend's vehicle and am in an accident, my insurance will pay out. They will likely not go after the vehicle owner's insurance. Only I will see the effects of the claim.

[spud1957]

I asked this specific question to my agent about letting someone not living in my household drive my vehicle. She said in the event the driver CAUSES an accident, I have complete coverage BUT the fault of the accident will be marked against me (6 years) if/and any related rate increases would be against me.

These would be Canadian insurance regulations.

S

[blangen]

Unfortunately, even assuming the insurance obstacles can be overcome, there is a fairly large can of worms just waiting to be opened. Maybe you're going down the road and something (anything... and there is a LONG list of possibilities) breaks. His memory is that whatever it is was working last time he drove. You could EASILY wind up in a less than pleasant relationship with your neighbor... and his family. I'm really sorry to have to say this. It's really sad. But this is, more likely than not, the reality.

Edit: I'm assuming he won't be going with you on these drives because, if he's having trouble with the clothing, he probably isn't much more comfortable being in the rig. If he goes with you, and he's of sound mind (yep, another can of worms), maybe that somewhat tempers what I said previously. It's sad. I know. And I feel for him... and you. You're trying to be a good guy. But this is, these days, more difficult than just helping a neighbor.

[dmeck]

As far as the generator goes it might have a low oil switch that won't let it run if it's not getting enough oil.

[msredneck84]

The insurance normally follows vehicle. Each state has different policy language.
If the neighbor did not have insurance then your automobile policy would come into play.
The state legislature governs policy language and the state insurance commissioner enforces the insurance laws of the state. By the way you can call your insurance commissioner for any questions you have. That is what they are there for.
This is the way it is where I live anyway.

[Paul_Clancy]

Because of the litigious society that stems from the lack of admission of fault.

[travelzoo]

Seems it gets more difficult everyday just to be a good neighbor. I have health issues that at times keep me from doing a lot of the outdoor yard chores. My neighbor has asked me several times if he can help out by mowing or doing yard chores for me. You have to love a neighbor like that. I ask my insurance agent about him helping me like that and what if he hurt himself while doing so. My agent said to just have him give me a bill and pay him, even if he uses my equipment. So I asked my attorney friend the same thing. His answer was there is no way to do it and be 100% safe in doing it. Why does it have to be so hard to just help a neighbor or let them help you?