Does insurance cover if you let someone borrow your car?
Asked by: Dr. Bell Leannon DDS | Last update: May 30, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)
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 happens if I let someone borrow my car and they get 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.
What happens if my friend is driving my car and gets in 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.
How does insurance work if you share a car?
Person A holds the title and registration in their name while sharing regular driving duties with Person B. In this example, Person A would insure the vehicle and Person B would be listed as a covered driver. If the vehicle were totaled, all claims payouts would be made to Person A, who owns the vehicle.
Does Insurance Cover Someone Else Driving Your Car?
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 my roommate borrow my 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 my boyfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
In general, your insurance company will cover the accident if the person driving had permission to use your car and caused the accident. If they didn't cause the accident, the at-fault driver's coverage usually kicks in.
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.
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.
Does Geico cover permissive use?
Which insurance companies offer permissive use? Most of the big auto insurance companies — Allstate, AAA, GEICO, and USAA — allow for permissive use, but you should always confirm your policy details. If you have a named driver policy with any of those companies, you will not have permissive use.
What happens if someone drives my car and is not on my insurance in New York?
NY Car Insurance Follows the Car
In New York, your car insurance coverage includes coverage for other drivers of your vehicle—following the car rather than the driver. This applies to collision, uninsured motorist protection, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), and property damage liability insurance.
What happens if you borrow someone's car and get into 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.
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 in Ohio?
It is law in Ohio that you must have insurance to drive any motor vehicle. A vehicle owner may not allow anyone else to drive their motor vehicle without insurance.
Will my insurance cover a car I borrowed?
Your liability coverage will generally extend to the car, but comprehensive insurance coverage and collision insurance coverage may not. The good news is that if you're in an accident while driving a borrowed vehicle, there's a chance the owner's car insurance may provide some coverage.
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 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.
Who is liable if someone else is driving your car?
Liability When Someone Else Drives Your Car
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.
What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in Texas?
If the driver involved in the accident isn't listed on your insurance policy, the situation becomes more complex. As stated above, in Texas, insurance typically follows the car, not the driver. If you gave permission for someone to drive your car, your insurance should cover the damages resulting from the accident.
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).
Can you get in trouble for letting someone use your car?
Lending Your Car to a Dangerous Driver or Unlicensed Driver. If you lend your vehicle to an intoxicated driver, you could be held liable and sued for personal damages. Never allow a drunk driver to use your vehicle. Never let an unlicensed driver borrow your car.
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.
Do both owners of a car need insurance?
If you and another person share vehicle ownership, the name on the vehicle's registration can differ from the insurance policy. However, both drivers should have sufficient coverage on the vehicle. One owner may purchase the policy and then list the other owner as a covered driver.