Liability Issue in Tennessee - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

ridgetn · 02-23-2007, 11:26 AM

My 20 year college student purchased a motorcycle and has gottten separate insurance on it. Since we still claim him for health and car insurance and pay his expenses we are legally responsible for him. If he had an accident, would the other party be able to sue us personally because we are his guardians?

**Clint** · 02-23-2007, 11:30 AM

Um, I don't think a 20-year old has "guardians". I don't think paying expenses makes you responsible in any way. You aren't "claiming" him. That's a tax term.

We have some very knowledgeable members who can tell us more.

Welcome.

robertc729 · 02-23-2007, 03:45 PM

blackie1491 · 02-23-2007, 03:54 PM

20years, an Adult and responsible for his actions.
As much as you don't like to see him on a motorcycle, perhaps encouragement to take a MSF course may help.

Time4me2ride · 02-23-2007, 04:06 PM

Insurance is a contract between you and an InsCo that for a certain premium you pay, they agree to pay under certain circumstances. Health ins, they allow children who have reached majority age, >18, to remain insured if they are full time students or disabled. College expenses can also be deductable on taxes in certain circumstances, but that is a separate issue. The real question is liability for the motorcycle.

20 year old buys motorcycle, buys own insurance, wrecks bike, damaging another's property or person. Who is liable? The registered owner of the bike and the operator of the bike are liable, that liablility is what the insurance covers. It does not matter where they live or who pays their college expenses, the owner/operator is responsible and the liabiliity trail ends there unless the motorcycle manufacturer was at fault, i.e. defective product.

Oh, BTW, Welcome to the forum. I would think your greater concerns would be did your 20 YO take the MSF riding course or equivalent training, do they wear a helmet and good riding gear when they ride, and are they riding in a responsible manner.

02-23-2007, 11:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
ridgetn Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1	Liability Issue in Tennessee My 20 year college student purchased a motorcycle and has gottten separate insurance on it. Since we still claim him for health and car insurance and pay his expenses we are legally responsible for him. If he had an accident, would the other party be able to sue us personally because we are his guardians?

02-23-2007, 04:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Time4me2ride Sprocket Pilot Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: Silver/Grey VStar1300 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 846	Insurance is a contract between you and an InsCo that for a certain premium you pay, they agree to pay under certain circumstances. Health ins, they allow children who have reached majority age, >18, to remain insured if they are full time students or disabled. College expenses can also be deductable on taxes in certain circumstances, but that is a separate issue. The real question is liability for the motorcycle. 20 year old buys motorcycle, buys own insurance, wrecks bike, damaging another's property or person. Who is liable? The registered owner of the bike and the operator of the bike are liable, that liablility is what the insurance covers. It does not matter where they live or who pays their college expenses, the owner/operator is responsible and the liabiliity trail ends there unless the motorcycle manufacturer was at fault, i.e. defective product. Oh, BTW, Welcome to the forum. I would think your greater concerns would be did your 20 YO take the MSF riding course or equivalent training, do they wear a helmet and good riding gear when they ride, and are they riding in a responsible manner. __________________ Carpe equus ferrum

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02-23-2007, 03:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,040

02-23-2007, 03:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,243	20years, an Adult and responsible for his actions. As much as you don't like to see him on a motorcycle, perhaps encouragement to take a MSF course may help.

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