r/legaladvice•
anescall131

Au Pair car accidents and liability

Recently, my AP was driving and got into a car accident. Horrifically, I found out my "new" car (6 mo ago) has no insurance due to a miscommunication (husband and I each thought we added our car onto insurance, neither of us did). There was a fender bender. I exchanged numbers with the other owner.

Later, they said they contacted their insurance company and asked for 750 for the deductible. I venmoed it to her.

Today, her insurance contacted us asking for information. Her car was a mustang 5.0 GT. It looks like the bottom panel may need to be replaced. I estimate between 1-5k. But since she went through her insurance company, what would happen next? Are there any legal repercussions? Other owner tried to call the police but the police fortunately refused to come for a minor accident.

On the other hand, a related question. I heard from my co worker his AP had hit a pedestrian and dealing with the lawsuit years after the au pair has already left. Is there a way I can minimize personal liability?

For example, can I sell her one of my old cars. I would probably need to also be the lender giving a personal loan with promissory note vs lien. This way, she would be the only one on the title and her own car insurance? (ofc I would then also increase her pay to compensate for the personal loan and cost of the car insurance premiums)

Location: oregon

Posted Mar 6, 2026, 4:02 AM UTC

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