Does car insurance cover other people driving my car?
Asked by: Ms. Roxanne Brakus | Last update: July 30, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (41 votes)
Does your insurance cover driving someone else's car?
While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver.
What happens if my friend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
Insurance Coverage: Generally, the car owner's insurance policy will cover the damages if someone else is driving their vehicle with permission. This means that the insurance could pay for repairs to the car, medical expenses, and liability for damages to other vehicles or property.
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 are not on my insurance nationwide?
Your automobile insurance will cover your covered auto that is driven by you, a household family member, or by a licensed driver who has your (express or implied) permission to use your auto. For example, your friend borrows your car for a day with your permission.
Do I Need Insurance to Drive Someone Else's Car?
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.
Do I need to add other drivers on my insurance?
You should add any regular drivers of your car to your insurance policy so that damages from accidents are covered. Also, you can add any drivers that live at your permanent address, and most insurance companies will require it. Some states may allow you to exclude a driver from being covered by the policy.
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.
Does my insurance cover my girlfriend driving 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.
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.
Who is liable if someone else is driving your 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 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.
Who is liable if someone borrows your car?
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 someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Progressive?
If you give someone outside your household permission to drive and borrow your car (also referred to as "permissive use") and they aren't rated on your policy, any accident they're involved in may be covered by your insurer, depending on your state and insurer.
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 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
Does it cost more to add a driver to your insurance?
Typically, adding drivers to your policy can increase your premium. For example, there is a reason adding a teenage or newly licensed driver to an auto policy can result in an increase in insurance premiums.
Can someone else drive my loaner car?
Who is authorized to drive the Loaner Vehicle? Only you, and any immediate family member living within the same household, specifically listed on your insurance policy, and is over the age of 25. Any additional driver covered under your insurance policy will need to supply a valid drivers license.
What happens if my girlfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
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. However, there are exceptions to this coverage, which we will discuss in the following subsections.
Does car insurance cover occasional drivers?
Yes. Whether it's occasional or on a regular basis, if you share your vehicle with other licensed drivers, you should add them to your auto policy. By listing a driver on your policy, you ensure that if there's a covered loss, you and the driver are covered.
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.