How do I know if my insurance covers other people driving my car?

Asked by: Tara Bruen  |  Last update: October 17, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)

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.

Am I covered by my insurance to drive someone else's car?

Does my car insurance cover me when driving another vehicle? 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 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.

Is my girlfriend covered if she drives my car?

Comments Section The insurance travels with the vehicle not the driver. And yes, legal drivers of the vehicle, which includes someone you give permission to, are covered by your insurance.

How does car insurance work if someone borrows your car?

While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver. 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.

Does Insurance Cover Someone Else Driving Your Car?

17 related questions found

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

What if my boyfriend drives my car and has an accident?

If you let someone else drive your car and they get in an accident, your insurance company would likely be responsible for paying the claim, depending on the coverages in your policy. The claim would go on your insurance record and could affect your car insurance rates in the future.

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.

Can my wife drive my car if she's 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.

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 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.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Oregon?

In Oregon, Car insurance typically follows the car rather than the driver. This means that the insurance coverage primarily applies to the vehicle itself, regardless of who is driving it.

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.

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).

What happens if someone who isn't on your insurance crashes your car Progressive?

If an unauthorized driver not on your insurance causes an accident, your liability coverage may not apply. However, with collision insurance, it covers damages to your vehicle if a friend crashes it.

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.

Who is responsible if someone else is driving your car?

In situations where permissive use was granted, you allowed someone else to drive your vehicle even if they were not on your primary insurance. 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.

Am I insured to drive another car?

To legally drive a car that is not yours, even if it belongs to friends or a family member, you need insurance. You can get insurance as a named driver on their car insurance policy, take out temporary insurance, or you have your own car insurance policy that includes DOC.

What to do before letting someone borrow your car?

How to decide if you should lend your car to a friend
  1. Ask your friend about their driving history and insurance status. ...
  2. Consider the circumstances. ...
  3. Check your insurance policy and limits. ...
  4. Set some ground rules. ...
  5. Be prepared.