Do I need insurance to drive my parents' car?
Asked by: Keon Kutch | Last update: May 4, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (64 votes)
Do I need insurance if I'm driving my parents' car?
You will be required to have your own auto insurance if you are not covered under your parent's policy, while living under the same roof to legally drive with coverage. Paying a fortune for my two college age kids to be on my auto policy.
Can my adult child drive my car without insurance?
To drive it, no, you don't have “to be on the insurance” to drive it. Anyone can drive it with the owners permission (unless you have been specifically excluded usually for a bad driving record). If you drive a (parent's) car as a principal or par...
What happens if you crash your parents' car?
As a general rule, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. That means the owner of the vehicle would file a claim with their insurance to cover any damages.
Can my dad drive my car if he'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 Long Can You Stay on Your Parents Car Insurance?
Can my wife drive my car if she's 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 I don't add my teenager to my car insurance?
Failing to add your teenager to your auto insurance can lead to coverage denial, legal penalties and policy cancellation. Lack of driving experience and perceived higher risk contribute to higher car premiums for teen drivers.
Can you get in trouble for driving your parents car?
Insurance companies call this permissive use, and most carriers don't have a problem with it. So, if your son or daughter comes home for the weekend, for example, allowing them to use your car shouldn't be an issue.
What happens if you let your friend drive your car and they crash?
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.
When should your child get their own car insurance?
As kids grow up, when do they need to get their own auto insurance policy? If your child has moved out of your house and is no longer a dependent, they need to have their own insurance policy. Under most personal auto insurance policies, the “insured” covered by the policy includes “family members”.
Do I need to add my adult child to my car insurance?
Do my parents have to put me on their car insurance? Only if you live with them. Insurers typically require all licensed drivers who live at the same address to be listed on a policy, especially if they frequently borrow each other's cars.
Can I drive a car registered to my parents?
Some policies may limit how frequently a car can be borrowed. For example, you might be allowed to drive your parents' car up to 12 times a year without being listed on their policy. But if you plan to drive their car regularly, it's best to get added to their insurance.
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 you borrow someone's 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.
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.
What is permissive use car insurance?
Permissive use in an automobile insurance policy means that you give a person—who is not specifically covered by name or as a household member—permission to drive your car. For example, if you allow a friend to borrow your car, that is permissive use.
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.
Will my insurance go up if a friend crashes my car?
If a friend crashes your car and causes minimal damage to only your vehicle, your collision coverage will typically pay for repairs, but you'll need to cover the deductible. Keep in mind, this claim could increase your insurance rates, even if your friend has their own insurance.
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.
Do my parents have to put me on their car insurance?
To have the ability to be covered by a vehicle insurance policy you must be added as an additional driver to the vehicle owners policy.
Can I be held liable for an elderly parents car accident?
Who is Responsible for an Auto Accident Caused by an Elderly Driver? In California, when an accident occurs while the at-fault driver is using the vehicle with the owner's authorization, the owner is responsible for any damages that result. So if your parents are using your car, you may be responsible.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Georgia?
Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
Before you allow someone else to drive your car, ask for proof of insurance. Their policy should meet Georgia's insurance requirements, which mandate drivers have at least: $25,000 per person for bodily injury. $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and.
Should I add my 18 year old son to my car insurance?
Getting car insurance for a young driver can be pricey due to their lack of driving experience, so a separate policy may not be the best option. In most cases, it's more affordable to add your licensed or permitted teenage driver to your existing auto insurance policy.
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.
Does my child need insurance to drive my car?
Many people wonder if someone can drive their car if they are not listed on their insurance policy. The answer is yes, someone can drive your car with your permission, even if they are not covered by your insurance.