Imagine you allow your best friend to borrow your car to go down the street, and they get into a car accident or get a ticket. What happens next? Can someone else drive your car with your insurance? You might have allowed your friend to hop behind the wheel without much thought, but you should be more mindful before handing over the keys.
At Saferoad Insurance, we want our drivers to make the best decisions. You should understand these key takeaways before letting someone drive your car and before you drive someone else’s.
Car Insurance Follows the Car
In most scenarios, car insurance will follow the car rather than the individual. However, this is a case-by-case situation. Insurance laws and coverages can shift depending on the policies and company that’s covering the vehicle. It also depends on state requirements. Where you live determines who’s at fault (you or your friend driving your car).
Does My Car Insurance Cover Other Drivers?
Typically, your car insurance covers anyone else who drives your car. As we said above, car insurance follows the car. So if you lend your car to your sibling or friend, they will be covered by your car insurance. This means that, even if they have better insurance than you, if they’re driving YOUR car, they’re covered by YOUR insurance.
Permissive vs. Non-permissive Use
For your insurance to cover the accident, you must have given the borrower permission to drive your car. This is often referred to as permissive use. If they do not have your permission, it is considered non-permissive use. Below are the differences between the two.
Permissive
When you purchase auto insurance, you will be asked if you want to add anyone who has permission to drive your vehicle. This means that your insurance company will cover anyone on that list in the event of an accident if they had permission to drive your car. However, it’s important to remember that some states may reduce your coverage if other people drive your vehicle.
Non-permissive
If a family member or friend takes your vehicle without consent, then it’s considered non-permissive. This means that you may not be held accountable for the accident or the damage it causes. So, if your best friend borrows your car without permission and causes an accident, then your friend’s insurance will be considered.
However, if they don’t have insurance, you will have to file a claim using your insurance company. If a thief takes your vehicle and crashes it, you won’t be responsible for repairs or damages to another vehicle. You will, however, need to file a claim to help cover your vehicle’s damages.
What To Consider Before Lending Out Your Car
Can someone else drive your car with your insurance? Yes, but it’s always best to think twice before letting it happen. Be sure to remind whoever borrows your car the rules for driving it. This means reminding them not to speed or disobey traffic laws. You should also ask if they’re covered by insurance and whether they understand state-specific laws. You may also consider adding your family members to your policy if they use your car often.
As stated before, we want our drivers to be safe on the road. Saferoad Insurance offers affordable car insurance in California and is always ready to help. Contact our agents today if you have any questions regarding your current policies and how we can improve your driving experience.