Can my girlfriend drive my car without insurance?
Asked by: Mr. Jamar Powlowski I | Last update: January 12, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (20 votes)
Can I drive my girlfriend's car if I'm not on her insurance?
Jessica gives you permission to borrow her car. 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.
What happens if my girlfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
If a friend or girlfriend drives your car and causes an accident, the general rule is that the driver who causes the accident is liable for the damages. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance is usually responsible for covering costs.
Can I let my girlfriend drive my car?
Usually, yes. Your car insurance coverage should be able to extend to anyone else driving your car. Even if someone isn't listed on the policy, they can operate your vehicle. If you explicitly name someone as an excluded driver in your policy, however, none of this applies to them.
Does the driver have to be insured or the car?
The Insurance Policy Follows the Car and Not the Driver
Under California law, in most instances, the insurance policy attaches to the car itself. If someone was driving your car, it would be your insurance policy that paid for the damages.
Does Insurance Cover Someone Else Driving Your Car?
What happens if you don't add a driver to your insurance?
A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident. Family members who live in your household and drive your vehicle, including a teenager or your significant other, should be listed as drivers on your policy.
Is it okay to let someone borrow your car?
If they have a current license, a clean record, and a valid insurance policy, you may feel more comfortable lending them your car. Consider the circumstances. Is your friend impaired in any way or unfit to drive? If the answer is “yes,” then your answer to them should be a resounding “no.”
What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy?
You regularly allow a family member or friend to drive your car, but they aren't named on your auto policy. If this person gets in an accident while driving your car, your insurance company will likely deny your claim, leaving you liable for the damages.
Should I add my girlfriend to my auto insurance?
If your significant other regularly drives your car, you may need to add them to your policy. You each own a vehicle. If you each own a vehicle and regularly share cars, adding each other as listed drivers on both policies makes sense to ensure adequate coverage.
What happens if someone borrows your car and gets in 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.
How does insurance work when driving someone else's car?
If you're specifically listed on the car owner's insurance policy, you'll be covered when driving that car – even if it's not your own. If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent.
What happens if someone not on your insurance gets in an accident?
In most cases, your car insurance covers your vehicle, not you, the owner. So, the good news is, if you give your friend permission to drive your car, and they get into an accident, your insurance will probably cover it.
Am I liable if I let someone drive my 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 ...
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.
Does my girlfriend have to be on my insurance?
For example, California and Nevada recognize domestic partnerships. As such, you can add a domestic partner, such as a boyfriend or girlfriend, to your health insurance. If you have employer-sponsored insurance, you will need to provide your employer with the document recognizing your domestic partnership.
Does it cost money to add a driver to insurance?
According to CarInsurance.com, there is usually no charge for adding a driver to your insurance policy. The Automobile Association notes that some insurers charge a small administration fee to update policies. You may also find your premiums change.
Is my girlfriend insured to drive my car?
Typically, even if the person driving your car has his or her own insurance, your insurance will be the primary payer for damages caused by your vehicle; but, the person driving your car has to be found legally at fault before your insurance will pay.
Can two unmarried people be on the same car insurance?
Most insurers allow you to add a significant other, such as a boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, or domestic partner, to your car insurance policy if you live together. Depending on the insurer, a significant other can also add their vehicle to a joint policy if both cars are kept at the same permanent residence.
How do I add my girlfriend to my insurance?
Adding a domestic partner to your health insurance coverage follows a process akin to that of adding a spouse. You have the option to include partners during the initial enrollment, open enrollment period, or a special enrollment period triggered by a qualifying life event, such as the arrival of a new child.
Can my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?
Your spouse must be listed on your insurance policy regardless of driving status. Since insurance is all about properly rating risk, companies will require that your spouse be listed on your policy to know who they are and are not covering.
What happens if someone who isn't on your insurance crashes your car in Texas?
If the driver involved in the accident isn't listed on your insurance policy, the situation becomes more complex. As stated above, in Texas, insurance typically follows the car, not the driver. If you gave permission for someone to drive your car, your insurance should cover the damages resulting from the accident.
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.
Can I give permission for someone to drive my car?
Most of the time, as long as you gave a driver permission to borrow your car, it's likely not a problem for them to drive your car, even if they're not on your car insurance policy.
Does car insurance follow the car or the driver?
Generally, in California, car insurance typically follows the car, not the driver. This means the insurance policy attached to a specific vehicle is the primary coverage that kicks in when that vehicle is involved in an accident, regardless of who is driving.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Geico?
Some states require the car owner's insurance to cover any accidental damage, so if they're not insured or don't have the right coverage, as the driver you may end up being liable.