WIBTAH for not accepting the car that my dad and stepmom offered me?

A Reddit user shares their frustration over a situation with their dad and stepmom. After earning their driver’s license, the user was promised their stepmom’s old car. However, they discovered the car was not insured, and their parents warned them that they would be financially responsible for any accidents, potentially leaving them in debt for life. The user feels scared and disappointed, questioning if it’s fair to be put in this position, especially when they can’t afford the insurance. Read the full story below…

‘ WIBTAH for not accepting the car that my dad and stepmom offered me?’

I just want to say that I’m very grateful that I even have the opportunity to get a car at my age since a lot of people do not have that privilege. However, that being said I’m quite angry/disappointed in the way my dad and stepmom handled this situation.

My dad (M52) bought my stepmom (F48) a new Porsche and my dad told my stepmom that in ‘exchange’ she would need to give her old car to the first kid that would get their license. Well I (F19) managed to get my license now and, as promised, the car is parked outside and I will get my stepmoms old car.

Now there’s one problem; My stepmom canceled her insurance on that car (which I can understand). Today my dad and stepmom sat me down and told me that I am absolutely not allowed to get into any accidents with the car and it was then when they revealed that the car wasn’t insured and that IF I get into an accident that l’m going to have to pay for it for the rest of my life.

That made me very scared and also angry because it made me think ‘is there not any other way to do this without risking me (a 19 year old) having to be in serious debt for the rest of my life??. I also did some research and apparently in the country where I’m from it’s ILLEGAL to drive without an insurance and I really can’t afford to pay for it myself.

Now I’m sad and angry at them because I did so much effort to get my license to only find out today that I basically cannot afford to drive it. So AITAH? Am I being entitled here??

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

AdviceMang −  NTA. If you can’t afford insurance, taxes, gas, and maintenance on the car, you shouldn’t accept the car. Don’t drive the car until you have it insured.

ScotchBonnetPeeps −  NTA. I’m not sure how parents can believe that forbidding you from having an accident will prevent an accident. Also, I’m curious, who are the other kids that would compete to get this car? Most parents don’t make an offer of ‘first one to get a license, gets the car” if the kids are a 19yo and a 9yo.

Do you have other siblings (step/half/full) that are close in age and could have gotten their license before you did? Is that sibling a more favored sibling? Like, if they got their license first, would the insurance be paid for them? If you are able to, take the car and insure it so you can drive. Otherwise, pass on this ‘generosity’.

WhereWeretheAdults −  NTA for refusing to set yourself up for years of misery if you get into an accident with a no insurance. Do not drive without insurance – ever. Accept the car. Have them sign the title over to you and get it registered in your name. Here are some options. Approach them about getting on one of their policies and you pay the difference. This is typically cheaper than a stand-alone policy at your age.

Next option – do you work? Part-time? Pick up extra time or second job to pay for what you want. You are 19. You want something, you start working towards it. Another option – sell the car. If it’s mom’s older car and she just upgraded to a Porsche, it’s probably nice.

So sell it, take the money and buy a cheap, reliable car and use the additional funds to cover insurance and maintenance. Go on a website like autotrader to find out what it is worth so you don’t get taken advantage of. Then check out prices of reliable, cheaper vehicles to see what the difference is. Do not drive without insurance – ever. “Just don’t get into an accident” is crap advice.

srgonzo75 −  NTA. You’re being more responsible than your father and stepmother. Telling a new driver they absolutely can’t get into any accidents is an insane requirement. Accidents are unintentional by definition.

Paevatar −  NTA. It’s not “entitled” to be sensible. Your father and stepmother want you to take a severe, reckless and completely unnecessary risk by driving without insurance. Your concerns show you have more common sense than the two of them combined. Worst case scenarios. Will they pay for your medical care if you get injured in an accident? Do they expect you to pay your own medical bills for the rest of your life if you become disabled?

-cheeks −  If you cannot afford insurance you cannot afford a vehicle. At 19 you are more than able to find a job.

spekkje −  I’m kind of surprised that your parents said “don’t get in an accident” instead of “get insurance”. But it is a logic conclusion to not accept the car if you cannot pay for insurance and drive in it. I do think it will be logic if you pay for it yourself and that the insurance will be in your name since you will be the main driver of the car. But NTA for not accepting the car if you cannot pay for it.

jaysolomongrundy −  NTA. Do. Not. Drive. Without. Insurance.

ShipComprehensive543 −  YTA for being angry at them because you don’t want to incur any additional costs. And to answer your question: *’is there not any other way to do this without risking me (a 19 year old) having to be in serious debt for the rest of my life?.* The answer is YES, get insurance. If you cannot afford it like you say, get a job (or another job) so you can pay OR don’t drive the car until you can. Simple.

Prior_Lobster_5240 −  YTA. If you can’t afford basic car expenses, you don’t get to have a car. They don’t owe you anything. Just don’t drive the car until you can air to do so responsibly.