Car Insurance - Borrowed car

[Steve & Erma 36]

So I am traveling to the Philippine in a couple weeks. My Fiance sold her vehicle to a friend who has graciously agreed to allow us to use the vehicle while I am there (I did help pay the registration of the car). As far as I can tell they only have liability insurance on the car as that is what is required. I want to get a temporary policy for the car during my visit so if something were to happen I would be covered and not on the hook to pay for damages. Driving there is so much more chaotic than here in the US.

 

So anyone have an idea on how to go about getting a comprehensive insurance plan on this vehicle for the time I will be there?

[Adventine 3,196]

Some US credit cards offer insurance as a free benefit when you travel internationally and book a rental car, but only if you use a recognized car rental agency. I doubt any US credit card will cover your friends and family arrangement.

 

Speaking as someone who lived in the PH for 30 years, and who has experience driving both in the PH and in the US, I advise you to simply hire a driver or ask your fiancee to drive. It's not worth the stress and hassle. Most drivers in the Philippines are NOT insured and, if you do get into an accident, 99% will look at you as a rich foreigner who can afford to pay whatever the damage is. 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by Adventine

[Palawan 131]

13 hours ago, Steve & Erma said:

So I am traveling to the Philippine in a couple weeks. My Fiance sold her vehicle to a friend who has graciously agreed to allow us to use the vehicle while I am there (I did help pay the registration of the car). As far as I can tell they only have liability insurance on the car as that is what is required. I want to get a temporary policy for the car during my visit so if something were to happen I would be covered and not on the hook to pay for damages. Driving there is so much more chaotic than here in the US.

 

So anyone have an idea on how to go about getting a comprehensive insurance plan on this vehicle for the time I will be there?

Don't worry you won't be on the hook, the owner of the vehicle is on the hook.

 

If in the future you ever decide to buy a car/motorbike/ etc, always put it in your wife or gf name, if it's in your name and you have an accident no matter if your at fault or not they will come at you.

 

My buddy had a car wreck and all of a sudden there were witnesses coming out of the blue (typical money grab scheme) making claims against the rich forgiener, they were seeing dollars signs.  Once they figured out the vehicle was registered to his wife then it all went away.

 

You will adjust to driving over there very quickly.

[Palawan 131]

13 hours ago, Steve & Erma said:

So I am traveling to the Philippine in a couple weeks. My Fiance sold her vehicle to a friend who has graciously agreed to allow us to use the vehicle while I am there (I did help pay the registration of the car). As far as I can tell they only have liability insurance on the car as that is what is required. I want to get a temporary policy for the car during my visit so if something were to happen I would be covered and not on the hook to pay for damages. Driving there is so much more chaotic than here in the US.

 

So anyone have an idea on how to go about getting a comprehensive insurance plan on this vehicle for the time I will be there?

Yes they have comphresive policies for autos, and you can even get them to include medical and hospital stay and cost.

 

Whether or not a non vehicle holder can get it will be another question, and since you are not a Philippines citizen could be another issue.  I would have the vehicle owner look into that, but if you are gonna drive over there, get the windows tinted, and the front window as well,  so they can't see it's a white forgeiner driving, for your own safety.  

[Steve & Erma 36]

10 hours ago, Palawan said:

Yes they have comphresive policies for autos, and you can even get them to include medical and hospital stay and cost.

 

Whether or not a non vehicle holder can get it will be another question, and since you are not a Philippines citizen could be another issue.  I would have the vehicle owner look into that, but if you are gonna drive over there, get the windows tinted, and the front window as well,  so they can't see it's a white forgeiner driving, for your own safety.  

Windows are tinted so I am covered there... It was her husbands car before but the registration is in the original owners name. They do some really weird thing where you register it in the original owners name but then have to have all of the bills of sales with the registration. Final bill of sale is on the new owner so I guess I am covered there too. I would of course help to fix the car if it was my fault and their TPL Liability coverage will cover the other car.

 

[top_secret 2,414]

One tip is if you have a AAA membership in the US,  Automobile Association Philippines https://www.aap.org.ph/ offers reciprocal benefits to members such as roadside service, towing and such.  It hardly counts as insurance and is probably only useful in big cities but if you do have AAA in the US, it is worthwhile to keep the AAP number handy should you need someone to call to tow you out of an awkward circumstance should one arise.

[Palawan 131]

13 hours ago, Steve & Erma said:

Windows are tinted so I am covered there... It was her husbands car before but the registration is in the original owners name. They do some really weird thing where you register it in the original owners name but then have to have all of the bills of sales with the registration. Final bill of sale is on the new owner so I guess I am covered there too. I would of course help to fix the car if it was my fault and their TPL Liability coverage will cover the other car.

 

Yes, they do "alot" really weird things on registertion in the Philippines.

 

Cars and motorbike they the dealership won't  send paper work to register sometimes or delay it, so in case the vehicle is repossed, the dealership can sell it as new since it was never registered. 

[Steve & Erma 36]

12 hours ago, top_secret said:

One tip is if you have a AAA membership in the US,  Automobile Association Philippines https://www.aap.org.ph/ offers reciprocal benefits to members such as roadside service, towing and such.  It hardly counts as insurance and is probably only useful in big cities but if you do have AAA in the US, it is worthwhile to keep the AAP number handy should you need someone to call to tow you out of an awkward circumstance should one arise.

I don't have AAA but I just turned 50 and I got AARP...LOL