Test driving a vehicle is suppose to be a fun experience where you learn whether you could see yourself owning a particular vehicle. However, it’s necessary to understand what happens in the unfortunate event that you get into an accident during the test drive. Like most questions regarding auto insurance and personal liability, it’s hard to get a specific answer without talking to a knowledgeable person. Oliver Insurance serves the Canby, OR area and is able to provide more precise answers based on where you live and the insurance coverage you have.
Most of the time, if you’re test driving a vehicle, the dealership should have an insurance policy that protects every vehicle on its car lot. This holds true whether you’re test driving a new or used automobile. Because a test drive is usually only a short distance trip, the chance of an accident is low, and the dealership doesn’t mind using its insurance to cover any damage that may result from an accident that you’re involved in. However, if the dealership believes that the accident was your fault, then the company may try to get your insurance provider to cover the damage. For example, if a dealership sees a driver come in to test drive a high-powered sports car and notices that the driver speeds off the lot, the dealership is much more likely to try to pursue reimbursement for the damage to its vehicle in the case of an accident, especially if the accident appears to be the driver’s fault.
In conclusion, you’re most likely safe if you get into an accident while test driving a dealership’s car. However, because each situation is different, you can get more accurate answers to any questions you may have by contacting Oliver Insurance, which serves the Canby, OR area. Many situations are slightly different depending on where you live, which is why it’s important to talk with someone who has specialized knowledge about the area you live in.