Liability risk with courtesy car

[lshick]

Having just returned to the litigious USA, the following was an unpleasant surprise.

For full-time cruisers who don't own a car, and therefore don't normally carry automotive liability insurance, it is wise to check the terms and conditions when a marina offers the use of a courtesy car. We found that the courtesy car at a marina we stayed at did not have its own liability insurance, and I suspect that that's true of most such places. I'm no lawyer, but as I read the "personal liability" coverage for our boat's insurance policy, liability incurred while using a courtesy car (also, rental cars) would not be covered.

We took a cab into town.

[hellosailor]

Larry, even if the marina had liability insurance, the insurer would have the option of coming after whoever was at fault for the accident--i.e., you the driver.

You, as a driver, are still the first party responsible, regardless of insurance. If you don't have your own--you've got a problem. I'd expect that to be the same world-over, too.