Can someone else drive my car if they're not on my insurance?
Asked by: Koby Harber II | Last update: October 25, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (51 votes)
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.
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 it okay to let someone borrow your car?
Yes, lending the car to someone is legal, just make sure they have a valid license and is sober at the time when you give them possession of the car. There is no rule that says you have to be close when someone is using your car.
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 ...
Can Someone Drive My Car if They're Not on My Insurance?
Can my daughter drive my car if she is not on my 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.
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.
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.
How does car insurance work if someone borrows your car?
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 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.
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 wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in CA?
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.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in the UK?
It might be an emergency or you may have permission from the car owner, but that doesn't mean it's legal. Unless you're a 'named driver' on their car insurance, you almost certainly won't be insured. And both the driver and car owner can run into trouble if caught without the necessary cover.
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 someone in your household drive your 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.
Should you let other people drive your car?
If your friend or family member asks to borrow your vehicle, make sure they're fit to drive. You should never permit an unlicensed driver to drive your car, and you should never allow a person who is intoxicated or has a history of reckless driving to borrow your vehicle either.
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.
Can I lend my car to a friend?
Ultimately, it's usually safe to loan your friend your car for occasional errands or projects. And the same goes for borrowing a car. Just make sure it's for “normal” use. You'll want to confirm that the car has coverage and that your insurance, whether you're the owner or borrower, will apply.
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 someone's car?
In general, when you borrow a car, you borrow car insurance, too. Insurance typically follows the car, not the driver. That means if you are involved in an accident while driving someone else's car (not on your insurance policy), the owner of the car will probably be held responsible for any financial damages.
How do you write a letter to allow someone to use your car?
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 someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in California?
You can not drive a vehicle in California without insurance, and you or the person you're borrowing from must have insurance to drive legally. Your regular auto insurance policy in Los Angeles tends to follow the car instead of the person who has paid for the insurance. The same applies to when you borrow a car.
What to do before letting someone borrow your car?
- Ask your friend about their driving history and insurance status. ...
- Consider the circumstances. ...
- Check your insurance policy and limits. ...
- Set some ground rules. ...
- Be prepared.
How does insurance work if someone crashes your car?
Your own insurance company's collision coverage would kick in and cover the damages up to your policy limit if they were the one to cause the crash. Even though you gave permission for them to use your own vehicle, you will face potential consequences, such as increased car insurance rates and insurance costs.