Can I drive a uninsured car with my insurance?
Asked by: Ivy Jaskolski | Last update: January 20, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (62 votes)
How do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?
The insurance company will often do some kind of analysis to determine whether or not the individual is likely to have any money or property. Then they will initiate a lawsuit to establish liability. Often these suits are won by default as the uninsured driver never answers.
Can my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?
Yes, as long as that person is legally licensed to drive. In the USA, most if not all car insurance policies cover the occasional driver who is known by you and for which you give that person permission to drive your car. Be careful if you have a ...
How does insurance work if you borrow a car?
Generally, insurance coverage follows the vehicle rather than the driver. So in most instances, as long as the owner of the car has insurance, it's covered even if someone other than the owner is driving it — as long as they have the owner's permission.
Am I covered against uninsured drivers?
If you cause an accident and you have a comprehensive Car Insurance policy, the cost of repairing both your car and the uninsured driver's car is covered. If you only have third-party insurance, you'll have to pay for any repairs to your own car yourself, but the uninsured driver's car will still be covered.
Will my Insurance Cover the Uninsured Person Driving My Car
Does my car insurance cover me as a driver?
The Insurance Policy Follows the Car and Not the Driver
Under California law, in most instances, the insurance policy attaches to the car itself.
What is considered an uninsured driver?
An uninsured motorist is someone without auto insurance. Chances are about one in seven drivers in the U.S. is uninsured, according to a 2011 estimate by the Insurance Research Council. Uninsured motorist coverage helps you pay for damages caused by a driver who doesn't have car insurance.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.
What happens if you borrow someone's car and get into an accident?
Vehicle Owners Are Liable Under California Law
This law holds a vehicle's owner responsible for collisions caused by the driver of the vehicle – even if the driver is not the owner. Liability is determined by identifying the actual owner of the vehicle.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Progressive?
Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits.
What happens if you don't add a driver to your insurance?
If someone in your household, who is unknown to your insurance company, gets in an accident, your insurer might rescind or cancel your policy and/or deny your insurance claim because they've been kept in the dark.
Does it matter whose name is on the car?
Yes, the name on a car title can impact insurance coverage. Insurance companies usually require the policyholder to have an insurable interest in the vehicle, meaning they either own the car or have a significant financial interest in it.
Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?
If your son doesn't live with you but needs to borrow your car, he can do so with your permission. It is known as permissive use, which means that when someone who doesn't live with you gets permission to borrow your car, they are also “borrowing” your auto insurance coverage.
Is it worth suing an uninsured driver?
Suing the uninsured driver might not be worth it unless they are financially capable of satisfying a judgment. After a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact a car accident lawyer about your legal options.
What is the uninsured driver promise?
What is an uninsured driver promise? If your car insurance policy includes an 'uninsured driver promise' it means that, if a driver without insurance hits your car and it's not your fault, you can make a claim for repairs and you will not lose your no-claims bonus or have to pay an excess.
Will my insurance go up if I get hit by an uninsured driver?
However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.
Who is responsible if someone else is driving your car?
Usually, a car insurance policy covers the vehicle itself, not the person driving it, and that means the liability coverage (which is required by California law) should cover the friend. California is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for an accident is the one whose insurance will be the primary ...
Does my insurance cover me if I crash someone elses car?
Your liability coverage will generally extend to the car, but comprehensive insurance coverage and collision insurance coverage may not. The good news is that if you're in an accident while driving a borrowed vehicle, there's a chance the owner's car insurance may provide some coverage.
Am I liable if someone borrows my car and gets in an accident in the UK?
In most cases, your car insurance extends to whoever you let drive your car. If someone else is driving your car and there is a car accident, responsibility and liability will depend on who caused the accident and the person driving your car. It will also depend on the terms of your auto insurance policy.
What happens if someone borrows your car and gets in an accident?
If your friend or any family members get into an accident while behind the wheel of your vehicle, liability will also take into account whether or not they had driver's permission. California's laws on insurance coverage mean that the car insurance will follow the vehicle, no matter who is driving it.
Does my name have to be on the car insurance to drive it?
Borrowing a car from a friend or family member
In many cases, you will be covered by their insurance, even if you are not named as a regular driver on the policy.
Can I lend my car to a friend?
Your insurance becomes the primary coverage when lending the car to family members or friends. Even if the person borrowing your car has the best coverage available, your insurance covers your vehicle. However, the borrower's insurance might provide backup coverage in certain situations.
What happens if you don't have an uninsured motorist?
Without uninsured motorist coverage, if you're injured or your vehicle is damaged in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you could end up paying for medical bills or vehicle repairs out of your own pocket.
Do I have to pay the deductible for an uninsured motorist?
What is an uninsured motorist deductible? If an uninsured driver damages your vehicle and you carry uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage on your auto policy, your uninsured motorist coverage deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket for the claim on your damaged car.
Can I drive my boyfriend's car if I'm not on his insurance?
As long as you've got Jessica's permission, it's usually legal to get behind the wheel of her car, even though you're not insured. Why? Because auto insurance generally follows the car, not the driver.