Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Colorado?
Asked by: Otis Herzog | Last update: June 10, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (29 votes)
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Colorado?
Colorado Auto Insurance Laws
If a crash occurs, the policy held by the vehicle's owner is considered the primary coverage for any damages or injuries caused by that vehicle. This includes situations where someone else is driving the car with the owner's permission.
Can you let someone who is not on your insurance drive your car?
Permissive use
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.
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.
What happens if my boyfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
If someone else is driving your car and another person causes the crash, the at-fault driver's insurance is usually responsible for covering costs. On the other hand, if your car's driver is at fault, your car insurance will usually cover damages. However, there are some exceptions to this.
Can Someone Drive My Car if They're Not on My Insurance?
What happens if my friend drives my car and gets into 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.
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 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 my husband take my car away if it's in his name?
If you purchased your vehicle after you got married, it is part of the marital estate and subject to division. This means that even if your vehicle is titled in your name alone, your spouse will have the same rights to the vehicle as you do.
Does the owner of the car have to be on the car insurance?
Does your car insurance and registration have to be under the same name? Most U.S. states allow residents to register and insure their vehicles under different names. This is because the car's owner can be an approved driver on the policy rather than the primary policyholder.
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 a driver need to be insured or just the car?
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. However, that does not mean that you should assume that the driver is covered.
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.
What is my liability if someone is driving 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 ...
What happens if I lend someone my car and they crash it?
In most cases, your auto insurance policy will follow your car, not the driver, so if your friend or family member borrows your car and gets into an accident, your insurance will be the primary coverage that will apply. However, what actually is covered will depend on the facts and circumstances of the accident.
How does insurance work if I am 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.
Can I sell my husband's car if he is in jail?
In general, you need to get a "limited purpose Power of Attorney" signed by the owner of the car. At the same time they could sign the release section of the Certificate of Title, or a "Release of Interest" form. Many state DMVs have a limited purpose POA form that is ideal for this purpose.
Why spouses should never title automobiles jointly?
Since the actual driver will always have liability for a "caused" accident, titling the car in the spouses name just allows a lawsuit against all solely owned assets by both spouses as well as against jointly owned property.
Can my wife take my car without permission?
Joint ownership: If the car is owned jointly, both parties have equal rights to its use. This common marriage scenario means that you and your spouse have legal permission to use the car. Sole ownership: If only one spouse's name is on the title, that person is the legal owner.
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.
Is it okay to let someone borrow your car?
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 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.
Is a spouse automatically covered under car insurance?
Spouse – Even if the spouse is not specifically named on the insurance policy, most liability insurance will cover the spouse. However, there may be some exceptions, such as if the spouse is specifically excluded or if the spouses no longer reside together.
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.
Can I drive a car registered to my husband?
If a vehicle is registered only on one person's name, does that person's spouse also have the right to use the vehicle? It is of “no-matter” who is on title, As long as you have “their permission” to use the car. My wife has her own car in her name only and I drive it all the time.