My Friend Crashed My Car In Michigan FAQs

In Michigan, if a friend crashes your car, your auto insurance will generally cover the damages because coverage usually follows the vehicle, not the driver. However, this depends on your specific policy, including whether you have collision coverage and if your buddy had your permission to drive. You will likely be responsible for paying the deductible. If the repair costs exceed your policy limits, your buddy’s insurance—if they have coverage—may provide secondary protection.

If your friend crashed your car in Michigan and they were at fault, then both you as the vehicle owner and your buddy as the negligent driver could be sued if the accident resulted in injury or death to someone else or damage to another person’s vehicle. Your auto insurance will likely cover your liability exposure.

If your buddy had his or her own auto insurance policy, then their insurance company will also provide coverage for what he or she owes as a result of the auto accident your buddy caused.

In Michigan, as the owner of the vehicle, it is important to remember that if your liability for injuries, death or vehicle damage resulting from when your friend crashed your car exceeds the bodily injury insurance coverage limits in your auto policy, then you have potential personal liability for the amounts in excess of your insurance policy.

This is why as a auto accident lawyer I always recommend that drivers purchase as much liability insurance coverage as they can. Liability coverage is very inexpensive and represents just a small fraction of your auto insurance premium. In comparison to liability insurance, collision coverage is now over half of your insurance premium. This incremental increase in price compared to the enormous expansion of protection and additional coverage that comes with selecting higher bodily injury liability insurance limits is why it is such a good value for consumers. Plus, the small amount of increase in premium should be more than offset by the much larger sense of security that comes from knowing you have a lot more protection from ever being personally and financially responsible if tragedy strikes because your pal got into an automobile accident in your vehicle.

How insurance coverage workers if your friend crashed your car in Michigan?

In Michigan, if your friend crashed your car, your auto insurance typically covers the damages—assuming they had your permission to drive. This is known as permissive use, and most Michigan auto insurance policies include this coverage.

• Primary Coverage: Your insurance policy is considered primary. That means your policy will pay for damages (like vehicle repairs or injuries to others) up to the limits of your coverage. If you have collision coverage, it may help repair or replace your vehicle, but you’ll likely be responsible for the deductible.
• No-Fault Benefits (PIP): Michigan’s no-fault law ensures that anyone injured (including your buddy) will usually seek medical and wage-loss benefits from their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy, regardless of fault. If your buddy doesn’t have their own auto insurance, they may be covered under your PIP policy or a resident relative’s.
• Secondary Coverage: If the damages exceed your policy limits (such as for property damage or liability to others), your buddy’s auto insurance—if they have any—might serve as secondary coverage. However, if they’re an excluded driver on your policy, coverage could be denied entirely.
• Potential Liability: If your buddy was at fault and causes injury or damage to another party, and your policy doesn’t fully cover it, you both could be exposed to a liability claim.

What exclusions or potential issues that can arise with insurance coverage after a friend crashed your car in Michigan?

In Michigan, if a friend happens to crash your car, there are several important exclusions and potential issues to be aware of. First, insurance coverage generally requires that your buddy had clear permission to use your vehicle. If they drove without your authorization, your insurer may deny the claim. Similarly, if your buddy is listed as an excluded driver on your policy, no coverage will apply—even if you allowed them to drive.

Your insurance may also be voided if your buddy was unlicensed or driving under the influence at the time of the accident. Additionally, if the vehicle was being used for business purposes, such as food delivery or rideshare driving, your personal policy may not cover the accident unless you have special commercial or rideshare coverage.

It’s also important to note that your policy will only cover damages up to its stated limits. If the costs exceed those limits, your buddy’s insurance—if they have any—might serve as secondary coverage. Without that, you could be personally responsible for the remaining expenses. And if you don’t have collision coverage on your policy, damage to your own vehicle may not be covered at all.

Finally, even if your insurance covers the accident, a claim caused by someone else driving your vehicle can still lead to increased premiums. To avoid complications, always review your policy and make sure you understand who is and isn’t allowed to drive your vehicle.

What happens if my friend crashed my car in Michigan?

In Michigan, if a friend happens to crash your car and if he or she was at-fault for the accident, then your buddy and you can both be sued by the people who were injured and/or the people whose vehicles were damaged. Your buddy’s liability arises from being the driver and your liability arises from your status as the vehicle’s owner.

Under Michigan’s “owner liability” law, a vehicle owner “is liable for an injury caused by the negligent operation” of his or her vehicle. (MCL 257.401(1)) The only exception to this liability rule is if the owner’s vehicle was being driven without the owner’s “express of implied consent or knowledge.”

What to do if a friend crashed my car in Michigan?

If your friend crashed your car in Michigan, it’s important to act quickly and follow the right steps to protect both your legal and financial interests.

1. Ensure Everyone’s Safety:
   First, check to make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 if there are injuries, and make sure emergency responders are on the way.
2. Report the Accident:
   Michigan law requires all accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 to be reported to the police. Make sure a police report is filed, even if the accident seems minor.
3. Gather Information:
   Collect the names, contact info, insurance details, and license plate numbers from all parties involved. Also gather witness statements and take photos of the scene and vehicle damage if possible.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company:
   Notify your insurer about the accident as soon as possible. Since auto insurance typically follows the vehicle in Michigan, your policy will likely be the primary coverage—as long as your buddy had permission to drive.
5. Review Your Policy for Coverage:
   Check your policy for collision coverage, liability limits, and whether your buddy is listed as an excluded driver. If your buddy wasn’t authorized to drive or is excluded, your claim may be denied.
6. Have the Vehicle Inspected and Repaired:
   Depending on your coverage, your insurer may cover repairs minus your deductible. If you don’t have collision coverage, damage to your own vehicle may not be reimbursed.
7. Monitor the Claim and Potential Rate Changes:
   Work closely with your claims adjuster throughout the process. Be aware that even though your friend caused the car crash in Michigan, the accident may still impact your insurance premiums.

What can I be sued for if a friend crashed my car in Michigan?

If a buddy wrecked your vehicle and if your buddy was at-fault for causing the accident, then you as the vehicle owner could be sued for pain and suffering compensation and other economic damages by victims of the crash or their families if they suffered bodily injury or they lost a loved one.

Additionally, if your buddy was at-fault for causing an accident while driving your vehicle and if the accident damaged another person’s vehicle, then you as the vehicle owner could be sued in a mini tort lawsuit in Small Claims Court for up to $3,000 in vehicle damage (that was not otherwise covered by the other vehicle owner’s insurance).

How much can I be sued for if a buddy wrecked your vehicle?

The facts of the case – including the victim’s injuries, medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering – will determine the amount that you may be sued for if a buddy caused an accident driving your vehicle. However, if your liability coverage limits are too low, you may be required to pay out-of-pocket for a portion of your liability.

An excess judgment – i.e., an award that exceeds the coverage limits of a person’s liability insurance – can result in a vehicle owner having to use his or her own personal assets, such as homes, motor vehicles, investments, retirement accounts to pay whatever amount of money the courts determine he or she owes to the people who were injured when in the accident.

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan, am I covered for personal injuries to others?

In Michigan, if a friend crashed your car and if they were at-fault for the accident, then your liability as the vehicle’s owner for the resulting personal injury to others will likely be covered up to the liability coverage limit you chose when you purchased your auto insurance policy.

Michigan law requires that all Michigan driver’s purchase liability insurance – which is often called bodily injury liability insurance – with minimum coverage limits of $250,000/$500,000, although the law also allows drivers to purchase lower limits of $50,000/$100,000.

It is likely that your liability insurance provides coverage when a buddy is driving your vehicle (with your permission) and causes an accident that results in injury or death to other people. It is important to check specific terms and language of your policy to determine the extent of your liability coverage.

Keep in mind that, even though you are being sued as the owner of the vehicle and even though your name will be on a automobile accident lawsuit complaint, in almost all cases it will be your own auto insurance company that will hire a lawyer for you, defend the lawsuit, pay all legal costs and expenses of defending you, and ultimately pay a settlement that will fall within your insurance policy limits – assuming those insurance policy limits are adequate to cover all the harms and losses and injuries that your buddy caused after the accident.

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan, am I covered for damage to other vehicles?

If a friend crashed your car in Michigan and if they were at-fault for the accident, then your liability as the vehicle’s owner for the resulting damage to another person’s vehicle will likely be covered by your mini tort or limited property damage coverage – if you purchased this optional coverage.

As with liability coverage and depending on the specific terms of your policy, it is likely that your mini tort or limited property damage coverage will cover vehicle damage resulting from an accident that your buddy was at-fault for causing an accident while driving your vehicle.

If you as the owner of the vehicle did not have mini tort coverage or limited property damage insurance, then you – and the driver – could potentially be liable to pay a maximum of $3,000 toward the damage that was caused to another person’s vehicle.

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan, am I covered for damage to my vehicle?

If a friend crashed your car in Michigan, causing damage to your vehicle, then your collision insurance will likely be covered up to the coverage limit you chose when you purchased this optional coverage. Although it will depend on the terms of your policy, collision frequently covers an owner’s vehicle when driven by a buddy.

If you did not have collision coverage, then the vehicle damage repair costs will have to be paid for out-of-pocket.

Although it will depend on the terms of your policy, most auto insurance companies will not provide coverage under a mini tort or limited property damage policy for damage to your vehicle when your buddy who was driving your vehicle was at-fault for causing the damage to your vehicle.

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan and won’t pay for the repair costs?

In Michigan, if your friend crashed your car and won’t pay you for the vehicle damage repair costs, then you may have to file a claim under your collision coverage. If you do not have collision coverage, then you will have to pay out of pocket for the costs of repairing your vehicle damage.

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan, can I sue for vehicle damage?

In Michigan, if your friend crashed your car and they were at-fault for causing the accident that resulted in the damage to your vehicle and if you either have a collision deductible or no collision coverage, then you may be able to sue them in a mini tort lawsuit filed in Small Claims court.

Although the mini tort statute does not specifically address this issue, it also does not prohibit the bringing of a mini tort claim under the circumstances described above. (MCL 500.3135(3)(e) and (4))

What if my friend crashed my car in Michigan will my insurance cover it?

Although it will depend on the terms of your policy, your liability insurance will cover up to your policy limits if your buddy got into an accident with your vehicle and hurt or killed someone. Similarly, if you purchased optional mini tort and collision coverage, your insurance will likely cover you up to the limits you selected.

What if my buddy causes an automobile accident and they don’t have insurance?

In Michigan, your liability insurance coverage will provide you liability protection up to the policy limits you selected in your policy if your uninsured buddy got in to automobile accident in your vehicle and injured or killed someone. Damage to another person’s vehicle or your own will only be covered if you have mini tort or collision coverage.

Does my buddy’s insurance pay if he caused the accident?

In Michigan, if your friend crashed your car and if they had his or her own auto insurance policy which included liability as well as mini tort or limited property damage and collision coverage, then it is likely your friend’s insurance will help pay for injuries and vehicle damage up to the limits in your friend’s policy.

In this scenario, your buddy’s insurance will represent and defend him or her, and your own insurance will represent and defend you.

Bottom line

If your friend crashed your car in Michigan and they had your permission to drive, your insurance will most likely provide coverage. However, it’s important to review the details of your policy, including any exclusions or limitations that may apply. Taking proactive steps—such as documenting the accident, notifying your insurer, and consulting with an experienced lawyer if needed—can help protect your rights and minimize potential complications.

Friend crashed your car in Michigan and you need a lawyer? Call our attorneys now for a free consultation!

If you or a friend were injured after they crashed your vehicle in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

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