How does car insurance work when driving someone else's car?

Asked by: Shirley Stokes  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.2/5 (67 votes)

Generally speaking, auto insurance follows the car instead of the driver. Follows the car, meaning: if you lend your friend your car and your friend gets into a collision, your insurance would cover it, and if your friend lends you their car and you get into a collision, your friend's insurance would cover it.

Can someone not on your insurance drive your car?

Can someone else drive my car if they aren't on my insurance? A person can legally drive your car if they are a named driver on your policy. It's easy to add a named driver to your policy. ... If they are not a named driver on your insurance then the policy will provide no cover if they are driving.

How does insurance work if someone borrows your car?

Your auto insurance policy is responsible for your car when someone else driving it is involved in an accident. ... If a friend borrows your car and causes an accident, your insurance policy pays for any at-fault damages. A rule of thumb to remember in this situation is “car insurance follows the car, not the driver.”

Does my car insurance cover me if I'm driving 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. ... Borrowing a friend's or family member's car with permission while yours is being repaired.

What happens if my friend is driving my car and gets in an accident?

If someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident, your car insurance will likely cover any resulting damage. Car insurance generally follows the car instead of the driver, so the car owner's insurance will cover the crash, even if someone else is driving.

Do I Need Insurance to Drive Someone Else's Car? : Car Insurance Info

20 related questions found

Can someone else be the main driver on my car?

Car insurance fronting – where someone declares themselves as the main driver of a car even though it will be someone else – is illegal.

Can you insure a vehicle that is not in your name?

If you're looking for the easiest way to insure a car that's not in your name, you can add the owner of the vehicle to your insurance policy as an additional interest. When you do this, your premiums will not increase as it merely states someone else's insurable interest.

Can I insure my wife's car in my name?

Generally, a car insurance company will only insure a car in the name of the person who is listed on the car's title. So, for example, if your wife is listed as the car's owner, then an insurance policy for the car would have to be listed in her name. ... However, you two could have a joint policy with both your names.

Does it matter who is main driver on car insurance?

The main driver (or vehicle policyholder) is the person who drives the vehicle most often and earns no claims discount. They do not need to be the principle policyholder but they must live at the same address as them.

Is it illegal to be a named driver on your own car?

In an attempt to reduce premiums, some people falsely claim that a more experienced driver is the main driver of the vehicle they own, and add themselves as a named driver. But this scheme, known as 'fronting', is a type of fraud and illegal.

Does adding another driver lower insurance?

How much does car insurance cost with a named driver? Adding a named driver often makes the premiums cheaper because it's assumed you'll spend less time driving, since the car is shared. This reduces your probability of having an accident and making a claim, which is reflected in cheaper car insurance quotes.

Can I insure my girlfriends car?

Most insurers allow you to add a significant other, such as a boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, or domestic partner, to your car insurance policy if you live together. Depending on the insurer, a significant other can also add their vehicle to a joint policy if both cars are kept at the same permanent residence.

Can my wife drive car?

Unless your policy states otherwise, you'll only be able to drive your partner's car if they've added you as a named driver or have a family or any driver car insurance policy.

Can I insure my daughters car in my name?

Can I insure it under my name? Yes, you can if you're the registered owner of the vehicle. Your child should be listed as a driver.