Is car insurance per driver or per car?

Asked by: Shyanne Brekke  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (54 votes)

Contrary to popular belief, car insurance typically follows the car — not the driver. 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.

Do you pay insurance per car or per person?

This all means that even if you're driving someone else's car, you're still covered if you meet two requirements: First, the owner of the car you're driving must have insurance. Since most insurance follows the car, not the driver, you're covered as long as you have permission to drive that car.

Do you need car insurance for each person?

You do not need your own car insurance policy to drive someone else's car every once in a while. However, if you frequently drive someone else's car, you might want to consider getting non-owner car insurance.

Who is insured the person or the car?

So generally speaking, the policy insures the car and you as the driver of that car. When it comes to drivers of your vehicle, giving someone permission to use your car (or if they live in your household) means they are covered in most cases.

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

If a friend or a family member has an accident and isn't insured, then you will have to use your insurance. Unless you have expressly denied that driver permission to use your vehicle.

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18 related questions found

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.”

How does insurance work driving someone else's car?

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 I drive my friend's car with my insurance?

Usually, yes — your car insurance coverage should extend to anyone else driving your car. ... This means even if your friend, sister or cousin have the best coverage possible, it would usually be your auto insurance that'd be covering the damages if they were at-fault in an accident while driving your vehicle.

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.

Is Triple A expensive?

AAA Classic Membership comes with more than just a tow truck. Offering incomparable roadside assistance, thousands of discounts, identity theft monitoring, and car lockout services, AAA Classic costs $59 per year.

How much do car payments cost per month?

As of 2021, the average monthly car payment in the U.S. is $575 for new vehicles and $430 for used vehicles.

Can I let a friend borrow my car?

Although you should check your individual policy, most of the time you can let someone drive your car and still have coverage. As long as you give the person permission, and they only drive the car occasionally, there shouldn't be an issue. Accidents, however, are unpredictable and can happen anytime.

Can I add someone to my car insurance that doesn't live with me?

No, you cannot add someone who doesn't live with you to your car insurance in most cases. ... But car insurance companies may deny the claim if they decide that driver should have been listed on your policy because they live with you or had regular access to the car.

Can I drive my dads car?

Can I drive my parents' car without insurance? ... You must be properly insured if you drive on the public road, no matter how short the distance, even if your parents have given their permission for you to drive the car, and even if they have their own insurance policy covering the vehicle.

Can you have 2 main drivers on the same car?

You and your partner can both take out separate policies for the same car. Car insurance policies are for both the vehicle and the driver, so it's perfectly fine, legal and common for two people to be insured on the same vehicle under separate policies. There are a few reasons why you might consider doing this.

Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?

Your child likely won't be able to be on your auto policy any longer because he or she doesn't live in your household. ... If you're the parent who isn't listing the child on your car insurance, your child can still drive your car and be covered by your insurance. It works just as if you had a friend borrow your car.

What is included in full coverage auto insurance?

So what does full coverage car insurance cover? In most cases, it includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Collision and comprehensive will protect you and your vehicle if you get into an accident. ... liability will pay for damages you might cause to others.

How much money can a passenger in a car accident get?

In cases where injuries where minor, a passenger might receive up to $3,000 from a claim. However, in serious car accidents where injuries may be more severe, passengers may receive up to $1 million for pain and suffering.

Are you liable if someone has an accident in your car?

How Your Primary Coverage Works. The bottom line is that when someone to whom you have loaned your car causes an accident that injures another person or damages someone's property, you are liable, and your insurance will be the first in line to cover their costs.

Can someone drive my car and be covered on my insurance progressive?

As long as you gave them permission to drive your car, then they should be covered. Their policy extends to your car and covers them the same way as if they were driving their own car. Damages they cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If they have collision, damages to your car are covered.

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

If you let a friend borrow your car and he or she causes an accident, your auto insurer would be responsible for paying for damages to the other driver and his or her passengers, up to the limits of your policy. If damages exceed your policy limits, your friend's insurance would act as secondary coverage.

What happens if my son crashes my car?

If someone else is driving your car and another person causes the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is usually responsible for covering costs. On the other hand, if the driver of your car is at fault, your car insurance will usually cover damages.

Does car insurance follow the car or the driver Geico?

In California, insurance typically follows the car, however not all cases are the same. If you're planning to lend your car to a family member or friend, or borrow one from someone else, remember that it's wise to review both of your insurance policies first.

Is a $600 car payment too much?

How much should you spend on a car? If you're taking out a personal loan to pay for your car, it's a good idea to limit your car payments to between 10% and 15% of your take-home pay. If you take home $4,000 per month, you'd want your car payment to be no more than $400 to $600. ... 60 months if you're buying a new car.