My spouse has always carried only the minimum state-required amount of liability insurance for his car. He stated that he never had many assets to protect, so he saw no reason for more.

If he caused an accident that resulted in a large award of damages against him, would I as his spouse, also be liable for this?

I realize that no one can give me legal advice, but I thought perhaps someone might have experienced something like this, and could share such information.

(I did convince him to increase his insurance levels. What he had was what my parents had back in the 1950's and costs have increased greatly since then!)

In any case, the injured person might sue, hoping for a favourable judgement - and the person with assets would, of necessity, have to fight the issue.

Sixty years ago my Dad, a farmer, was buying insurance for his car and suggested to our hired man, a recent immigrant from a major European country famous for their financial affairs, that he should get some for his recently-purchased auto.

Fred said, "What do I care - they can't get blood out of a stone?"

That convinced Dad that there should be compulsory auto insurance.

So much so that, when he moved to a province where they'd recently instituted such a plan, innovative at that time, he began voting for the political party that had introduced it.

Dad used to say - "You broke it - you fix it!".

Seems to me that should apply to damage that we do with our property, as well - especially if we were the person who did it.

Actually, old Fred went on to own a dairy farm, never married - and I buried him, 30 years later. I still have a work coat at home that the trustee of his estate gave me at the time (nearly 40 years ago)!

I hope that you're enjoying life, this summer.

ole joyful