If a Cop Borrows My Car in an Emergency and Wrecks It, Who Pays?

Responsible drivers need to be prepared for all kinds of situations, including those you think can only happen in the movies. While certain scenarios may be a lot less likely, not having the right insurance coverage can make even the rarest of events a huge financial problem for you. For example, what happens if a police officer takes over your vehicle in an emergency and gets into an accident? Would you be on the hook for the cost of repairs? 

Luckily, an independent insurance agent can prepare you for this and many other situations by helping you get quality, affordable car insurance. They'll get you matched to the ideal amount of coverage for your unique vehicle. But first, let's break down this extreme situation and find out who'd be responsible for the damage.

Who’s Responsible if a Cop Borrows Your Car and Wrecks It?

Imagine you're minding your own business at a stoplight when suddenly a police officer commandeers your vehicle. Unfortunately, you haven't been unknowingly cast in an action movie, and the end result could be a very real crash involving your vehicle and some costly repairs. 

Even worse, you're likely to be the one who has to pay for it. State laws vary, but thanks to something called sovereign immunity, federal and state government entities and employees usually cannot be sued without their consent, which is why you’d probably be left using your own car insurance after an incident like this. However, if the police officer acted negligently (e.g., purposely crashing or blowing the car up), you might have a gross negligence case in which you could attempt to get reimbursement from them. 

If your car insurance policy includes collision coverage, you can file a claim for physical damage to your car. Collision damage is optional and covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault. The bottom line is that it’s critical to have adequate auto insurance for all kinds of situations, ranging from common, everyday problems to extreme circumstances you might never imagine. 

What if the Cop Damaged Other Property with Your Car?

Let’s say the cop not only wrecked your car but also damaged someone else’s property, like a mailbox or a building. Unfortunately, again, the cost of the damage is likely to fall on you, at least as far as insurance coverage is concerned. 

The property damage liability coverage in your car insurance policy would likely reimburse the other parties for the cost of repairing their damaged property. If your car damaged another vehicle, your liability insurance would likely also pay to repair another person’s vehicle. In general, property damage liability covers damage you cause to another person’s property. You're usually required by state law to have this coverage in most areas. 

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What if the Cop Injured Someone with Your Car?

You're also usually required by law to have bodily injury liability insurance in most states. It protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. Or, in this case, it covers the cop who was driving your car.  

Bodily injury liability insurance covers an injured party's claims for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you. So, if the cop who commandeered your vehicle injured a third party with your car, your car insurance policy's liability coverage could pay for their medical expenses.

How Would This Incident Affect Your Car Insurance Premiums?

To make matters even worse, if a cop wrecked your vehicle, it could leave you with a higher premium on top of the existing mess. 

Of course, the increase will vary depending on the seriousness of the accident, your claims history, and your car insurance company.  

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What Can an Independent Insurance Agent Do to Help? 

An independent insurance agent can help you get the best car insurance for your needs and budget. By getting quotes from multiple insurance companies, an independent agent can help you compare policies and make an informed choice. 

If you have to file a claim, your agent will be there with you every step of the way. In a situation like this, you'll need all the help you can get to sort things out and settle the claim.