Would you let someone borrow your car for $40

[shortyb]

What kind of insurance policy is that? Is it sold as a benefit to reduce costs or something?

Insurance typically follows the car because of permissive use clauses. I've never seen one exclude a (legal driver) in a borrowed situation, nor had the option to do that. It's pretty standard that:

1. For a borrowed car, the car owners insurnace is primary
2. The driver's insurance is secondary
3. Some exclusions from 1 make 2 the primary.

Most policies have exclusions for commercial purposes, and that sounds like it would fit the OPs issue. But, no justification is needed. No is no.

While mostly true, you hit on the commercial aspect of it's use. This is what can get excluded or even shift liability to the vehicle owner in a civil case when the insurance company drops out. Or even if not, you're still saddled with the probability of higher rates or cancellation. Live in a state where there is no cap for liability claims and you start to get the point. Do YOU want all that responsibility? Not me.

 

[cptbarkey]

You do not have a very considerate friend.

 

[skyactiv]

Is he one of those "friends" you only hear from when he wants something from you?

 

[pcoxe]

There is an old saying about "beaten like a rented mule".

 

[dlundblad]

$40 is a joke. So no !
I always get people wanting to borrow my mowers. I say no but I will mow it for you no charge if not several acres.

I always offer to do the work as well.

 

[PF52]

a friend asked to borrow my truck for a 200+ mile round trip tomorrow and offered $40.

The $40 won't even cover the cost of filling the tank which he will invariably return empty.

 

[avacado11]

What about something from Uhaul?

U-Haul charges by the mile so figure he’s ballpark $130 or so for the distance. Not sure why he always calls me(and other friends) whenever his truck has issues and he needs to move something. It’s one thing if it’s for personal trailer/bike but as a business transaction it just seems selfish/freeloading.

 

[avacado11]

The $40 won't even cover the cost of filling the tank which he will invariably return empty.

exactly. Last time I gave him a ride to buy a vehicle that was an hour away. On the way back it broke down. Had to run back and forth getting parts for it. Initial offer was $40 gas and food, but because we got stuck fixing the thing didn’t have time for food. $40 gas would’ve covered the initial trip but not all the extra running around and tolls. I was out $60 and half a days time.

 

[avacado11]

Is he one of those "friends" you only hear from when he wants something from you?

Almost always. More of a “have an extra pair of eyes” when working on something which I don’t mind. He reciprocates if I need help with something (not often) but dude is hard to catch as he’s always out doing something.

 

[Kira]

All of the above...and....
This guy has what sounds like a growing business (the increasing radii of deliveries and frequent requests you mentioned) and he can't finance a truck nor have his current truck repaired adequately.

Perhaps all acceptable used trucks are dear, but he sounds like he wants some glam too. In any event, it's truly not your problem.

The "deliver it tomorrow" angle is also surprising. He might be charging more for this next day service.

Someone mentioned U-Haul.
Let him do that.
It's more involved than merely asking you for your truck and could possibly shift him into "serious mode". Many people need that.
....and while he has the U-Haul, he can use his brain to capitalize on any left-over hours he has before returning it.

FYI: There's a '98 F-150 extended cab 4.6 w/stick TC for sale in Bergenfield, NJ being sold by a reputable towing outfit. It has a plow fitted too!...not too far from the NYS border...if you're near, say, the Cuomo/Tap Bridge.

TRUE STORY:
I had a 1976 F-100 van. My phone rang and a woman who wouldn't tell me how she got my name asked me for my van.
"I don't want you. I just want to borrow the van."
I said no and she made an audible 'haar-uumphy' noise and hung up rudely.

Don't "Jell-O out" on this guy by reverting to your old, generous self. Continue this man child on his road to vehicular self-sufficiency.
"Tuff love"

he’s always out doing something.

Good. Motivate him to do more constructive things without you.
Let him go through his list of other friends. He might actually sharpen his focus and streamline his behavior.

 

[avacado11]

I've had friends in the past that took advantage of my good nature too many times. In a few instances it cost me plenty to repair things that got broken, with no offers of making things right from the 'friends'. I now have better friends.

In short, a simple no should suffice.

I just think it’s ironic that someone who’s job is to sell trailers doesn’t have a working vehicle to move said trailers.

And then on top of that, his truck still works he just doesn’t want to use it out of preference. Just comes off as a freeloader like he’s trying to keep wear & tear off his vehicle for a business he runs. This vibration issue has been known for the past 2-3 weeks he has had plenty of time to get it figured out but hasn’t. Just seems irresponsible from a business owner standpoint IMO.

 

[walterjay]

Never loan out trucks, cars or equipment nor rent them out.

My FIL loaned out his backhoe to someone, he got it back with a gear torn out of the transmission. The guy never said anything nor did he did he admit to it.

 

[avacado11]

All of the above...and....
This guy has what sounds like a growing business (the increasing radii of deliveries and frequent requests you mentioned) and he can't finance a truck nor have his current truck repaired adequately.

Perhaps all acceptable used trucks are dear, but he sounds like he wants some glam too. In any event, it's truly not your problem.

The "deliver it tomorrow" angle is also surprising. He might be charging more for this next day service.

Someone mentioned U-Haul.
Let him do that.
It's more involved than merely asking you for your truck and could possibly shift him into "serious mode". Many people need that.
....and while he has the U-Haul, he can use his brain to capitalize on any left-over hours he has before returning it.

FYI: There's a '98 F-150 extended cab 4.6 w/stick TC for sale in Bergenfield, NJ being sold by a reputable towing outfit. It has a plow fitted too!...not too far from the NYS border...if you're near, say, the Cuomo/Tap Bridge.

TRUE STORY:
I had a 1976 F-100 van. My phone rang and a woman who wouldn't tell me how she got my name asked me for my van.
"I don't want you. I just want to borrow the van."
I said no and she made an audible 'haar-uumphy' noise and hung up rudely.

Don't "Jell-O out" on this guy by reverting to your old, generous self. Continue this man child on his road to vehicular self-sufficiency.
"Tuff love"


Good. Motivate him to do more constructive things without you.
Let him go through his list of other friends. He might actually sharpen his focus and streamline his behavior.

Growing business for sure. I’ve got nothing against him and wish him the best but his business proposition is terrible. From how he’s explained his operation to me the logistics and his monthly expenses could use much improvement. He’s the type of guy who got into it chasing money and only money doesn’t realize how much he’s leaving out on the table. Makes $4-5k per batch but pays half of that out in expenses. He doesn’t mark them up by much usually $1k per trailer but this is before his transport costs and other misc things. They sell quick but he’s leaving money on the table. Drives 15 hours each way to pick them up just to net $2500. If you do the math the numbers doesn’t work for how much time is invested. You’d make more working a day job. Between 30 hours of driving and however more time he spends meeting customers plus stuff like transporting trailers to buyers there’s not much meat left on the bone.

And He’s not charging extra to do the deal same day. He just wants to do it same day for quicker turnover so he can buy another batch of trailers.

Frankly the way his suppler system works its borderline pyramid scheme.

 

[Boomer]

Insurance may be on the car, but if the borrower has an accident, I would assume that it is the policy holder whose rates will go UP!

 

[avacado11]

Never loan out trucks, cars or equipment nor rent them out.

My FIL loaned out his backhoe to someone, he got it back with a gear torn out of the transmission. The guy never said anything nor did he did he admit to it.

I rarely do these days. I loaned out my car a few years ago and it came back with a burnt out headlight. Turns out the bulb melted the housing so I had to buy a pair of headlights for it. Not sure how it happened, but I know if I hadn’t loaned it out I likely would’ve been fine.

 

[supton]

I rarely do these days. I loaned out my car a few years ago and it came back with a burnt out headlight. Turns out the bulb melted the housing so I had to buy a pair of headlights for it. Not sure how it happened, but I know if I hadn’t loaned it out I likely would’ve been fine.

While I agree with what others are saying about not doing this, I'm not sure how one can deliberately or otherwise melt a bulb housing. It's meant to be on for hours at a time. I think this damage was likely coincidental.

 

[Doc8404]

Nope, my insurance only allows my wife and myself to drive our cars. Even my son knows when he comes to visit he's not insured, so he doesn't ask. IIRC his car only covers him to drive, so I don't ask him if I can use his car either.

Anyone can drive your car in New York? It’s called permissive use.

If your insurance agent is telling you different, tell them to review the law.

 

[Capt W]

a friend asked to borrow my truck

How close of a friend is he? Helping one another goes hand-in-hand with friendship. Rationalize your decision all you like, but true friends are always there to help. On the other hand, if this person is a mere acquaintance your obligation is lessened.

Too much risk, not much reward

If this is your measuring stick, it's actually sad. We should help one another out of love and concern, not "What's in it for me?" This statement is the epitome of selfishness.

The very fact you're asking the community for opinions indicates you're either torn on this issue or seeking public justification for your actions.

Then again, I live in South Texas. We do our best to "love thy neighbor" and help our neighbors when able. I understand this is a foreign concept to many.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

No, my friends wouldn't ask to borrow my vehicle because I have friends that are actually friends and know better.

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

There are like five people on the PLANET I'd lend my truck to, and it's 15 years old. My yardstick is this, if we're close enough that I'd gift them the truck or anything else I have of value, I'd lend them anything. Other than that, someone couldn't borrow a HF screwdriver from me, if I had one.