Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Alberta?
Asked by: Burnice Cassin | Last update: October 14, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)
What happens if a driver is not listed on insurance in Alberta?
In Canada, car insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. This means that if you lend your car to someone with your consent, they can be covered under your insurance policy. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind, and different policies may have specific restrictions.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
If your son has a driver's license, he can still legally operate your car if he has his own insurance, because if he does not have insurance, you become liable for his actions.
Do you need insurance to drive someone else's car Alberta?
Before we jump in, it's important to remember that it's illegal to drive without insurance whether the car you're driving is yours, or it's borrowed. In Canada, it's the law that you must drive with a valid insurance policy to protect you, as well as everyone around you.
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Alberta?
You're lending your car and your insurance
So even if you're not driving, it's your car insurance that will respond if your vehicle is involved in an accident. This also means that you will now have a claim on your record, even though you weren't the one driving. You'll need to submit the claim through your insurance.
Can Someone Who Is Not On My Insurance Drive My Car?
Can I drive my wife's car if I'm not on her insurance?
If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent. Assuming the driver gave you consent to operate the vehicle or, at the very least, there is reasonable belief that you had permission to drive it, then you're probably covered.
What happens if I let someone borrow my car and they crash?
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 someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Canada?
Generally, your car insurance should cover your vehicle when its being driven by someone that's not on your policy, as long as the following things apply: The driver is licensed to drive in Canada and legally allowed to drive in the province or territory.
Can you lend your car to a friend in Alberta?
In Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and most other provinces, someone else can usually drive your car if they meet the following criteria: They have your permission (verbal permission is enough) They have a valid driver's licence. They are not listed as an excluded driver on the policy.
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.”
Am I insured to drive another car?
To legally drive a car that is not yours, even if it belongs to friends or a family member, you need insurance. You can get insurance as a named driver on their car insurance policy, take out temporary insurance, or you have your own car insurance policy that includes DOC.
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.
How does insurance work when driving someone else's car?
Car Insurance Coverage When You Drive Someone Else's Car
In general, car insurance will typically follow the car no matter who is driving it (assuming the driver has permission to drive it).
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.
Do all drivers need to be listed on car insurance?
Generally speaking, insurers will ask you to list all household members when applying for a car insurance policy. Young children (typically under the age of 14) should be exempt, but the other individuals in your household should be disclosed, including: Spouse. Significant other.
Can my husband drive my car if he is not on my insurance?
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 my insurance cover someone who borrows my car?
Most car insurance policies will cover drivers you've listed on the policy, or anyone whom you give permission to drive your car, says Nolo.com. This means your insurance will likely cover another driver in the event of an accident, if they had your permission to drive your vehicle.
Am I insured to drive someone else's car Alberta?
In the case of a standard auto insurance policy, the insurance covers the car. So, if you do lend your vehicle, that person is covered under your insurance policy — not theirs. Conversely, if you were to drive their car, you would be covered under their insurance.
Does everyone in the household have to be on car insurance?
All household members should be known to the car insurance company but do not necessarily have to be listed as covered drivers depending upon the situation. But you must list everyone in your household and anyone who might get behind the wheel of your car, even occasionally.
What happens if you lend someone your car and they get 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.
Do you have to have insurance on a vehicle you aren t driving?
Do you need insurance for a car in storage? Legally, you don't need insurance coverage for a car that's not being driven and is in storage. However, if the vehicle gets stolen, vandalized, or damaged in an accident or weather-related event, you'll be responsible for any resulting expenses if you don't carry insurance.
What happens if my friend drives my car and crashes?
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.
What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in CA?
Insurance follows the vehicle, so if someone else drives your car and gets into an accident, your insurance will handle the claim. This is known as permissive use — your policy covers the damage, not theirs. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Who is responsible if someone else is driving your car?
Liability for accidents involving another driver operating your car depends on whether the driver had permission to use the vehicle. When it comes to insurance coverage, policies in California typically follow the vehicle, meaning that your policy would cover damages even if someone else was driving your car.