Yes...in California the driver's policy is always
primary...even if driving a rental car.  I think there
is enough here to make a claim on the mother's policy
for negligence...perhaps the home owners policy.  Not a
compelling case, though.

"M.R. Nimmo" wrote:
>
> You should always view and document the driver's
> license and insurance for someone test driving your
> car.  Most people are not aware that an insurance
> policy (at least in the US) is responsible for the
> liability of a covered driver, regardless whose car
> the driver is operating.  In other words, if your
> incident occurred in the majority of American
> jurisdictions, the brat kid's insurance might have
> covered the incident.  I'm speaking in very general
> terms here, folks, and there are other factors such as
> whether the kid was negligent in not securing the hood
> (bonnet), or perhaps whether the insurance policy only
> covers collisions, etc.
>
> But if the idiot kid struck another car or some
> pedestrian, you'd definitely like to have his
> insurance responsible, either fully or partially.
> Bottom line, get there drivers license and insurance
> information before they drive.
>
> Das Kapitan
>
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