Reply #46

In some states, at a certain age, vehicles are deemed to be non-repair worthy, thus junked, or may be classified as collector vehicles.

The penalties are, at best, a fix-it ticket and having to show up at a highway patrol office with the needed repairs to get the right to drive the vehicle.

And purchasing a vehicle is just the first phase. There are responsibilities and potential penalties for the owner throughout the life of the vehicle. Responsibilities for any driver of the vehicle...unlicensed, mentally deficient, underaged, including a routine stop for speeding, let alone an injury accident. If reported as stolen, not responsible. Insurance coverage varies, based on individual policy.

And for a rental car, all of these apply as well. That is why you must present a valid driver's license and your own insurance card. Your insurance first...theirs, supplemental.

A DUI in California can cost up to $10,000 and endless problems getting the license back, employment, any government position, etc. And if anyone is hurt or killed...lilkely prison. Insurance coverage becomes outrageously expensive.

And you are right, anyone can drive their car around on their property anytime they wish, as long as it doesn't hurt someone. If so, even then there is legal liability. Also, it must be registered as a Non-Op. But the minute it his a public road...all rules apply.

And insurance? Usually, if you have "Act of God" coverage on the vehicle, such as hail or flood, even on private property it pays. True, if someone can be proved to have caused an accident with a motor vehicle as an act of premeditation, the insurance doesn't pay, but they go to jail and never get insurance again, most likely.