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Question

Fault when I was towing someone else's trailer

My vehicle was pulling an enclosed trailer that was a friends. I was involved in an accident and the trailer received damage. Who is liable for the damage, and does my insurance on the pickup cover the trailer damages?

Apr 20, 2023 Indianola, IA

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Ava Lynch
Director of Insurance Content

Ava joined The Zebra in 2016 as a licensed insurance agent and writer. She now serves as director of insurance content, leading coverage strategy and…

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  • 9+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

This can really depend on a number of things. Fault can only be determined by a claims adjuster who has reviewed the accident and any corresponding documentation. If you are at fault in the accident, your insurance will only pay for the damages you caused to the other car in the accident. The owner of the trailer would need to be a separate policy in place for the trailer for the damages to be covered. The policy for the trailer will need to have comprehensive and collision coverage to repair the damages if you were at fault.  If you were not at fault in the accident then the person who caused the accident would pay for the damages to both your car and the trailer. Good luck and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

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