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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?

Aug 6, 2018 Indianola, IA

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Ava Lynch

Insurance Analyst

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior insurance contributor, providing insights and data a…

Credentials
  • 7+ 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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