Money is one of the biggest issues most car owners face after a car accident. Everything from hospital bills to car repairs to compensation for the other driver requires a significant amount.
An auto insurance policy can help alleviate these costs, but the situation becomes complicated if an excluded driver is involved. An excluded driver is someone listed explicitly on the insurance policy as not covered.
If they get into an accident, the insurance company will likely deny any claims, leaving the car owner fully responsible for all expenses. If you want to know what happens in this situation, read this guide, as we’ll answer what happens if an excluded driver gets into an accident.
What Does An Excluded Driver Mean On Insurance?
When you insure a car, the insurance company asks for a list of all the licensed drivers in the household who may drive it. The insurance company compensates for the loss if the car gets into an accident with one of these listed drivers behind the wheel.
However, there’s an issue: the insurance company may decide not to include someone from your family in the list due to their poor record of accidents or traffic violations. Sometimes, the policyholders may choose to exclude a family member from the list.
The person excluded in these situations is considered an “excluded driver,” meaning they are not allowed to drive that vehicle. If they do, the insurance company will not be liable to pay for any loss.
What Happens If An Excluded Driver Gets In An Accident?
So, what happens if an excluded driver gets in an accident in California? In this type of situation, the insurance company won’t cover the loss because the driver was specifically excluded from the policy coverage.
This leaves only one solution: paying out of pocket. The person behind the wheel or the car’s owner will have to cover the expenses, including medical bills, car repairs, and any compensation for the other driver.