What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Alberta?

Asked by: Ms. Alvina Hagenes  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (40 votes)

As the owner of the vehicle, you're liable for any damage or injuries caused by the driver you lent it to. That means if your claim is denied, you will be responsible for paying for any damages or liabilities out of your own pocket. The average cost of collision repairs in Canada in the first half of 2023 was $5,044.

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 someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance Progressive?

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.

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

In Canada, car insurance usually follows the car, not the driver. This means that if you lend your car to someone with your consent, they can be covered under your insurance policy.

What happens if someone else drives your car and has an accident?

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 Happens If An Excluded Driver Gets Into An Accident?

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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.

How does insurance work when other people drive your car?

Your car insurance typically will cover other drivers operating your vehicle if they're listed on the policy. This may include your spouse or significant other, your parents, your siblings or your children. It also may include other household members.

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.

Can other people drive my car in Alberta?

In Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and most other provinces, someone else can usually drive your car if they meet the following criteria: They have your permission (verbal permission is enough) They have a valid driver's licence. They are not listed as an excluded driver on the policy.

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

The person you lend your car to must have your permission. They must also have a valid licence and also be using your car legally (not for racing, for example). If the person borrowing your car gets into an accident, you may or may not be compensated.

How does insurance work if you borrow someone's 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 you don't add a driver to your insurance?

If someone in your household, who is unknown to your insurance company, gets in an accident, your insurer might rescind or cancel your policy and/or deny your insurance claim because they've been kept in the dark.

What happens when someone not on your insurance gets in an accident?

Insurance follows the vehicle, so if someone else drives your car and gets into an accident, your insurance will handle the claim. This is known as permissive use — your policy covers the damage, not theirs.

How does insurance work if someone crashes your car?

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. Even though you gave permission for them to use your own vehicle, you will face potential consequences, such as increased car insurance rates and insurance costs.

Does getting pulled over in someone else's car affect their insurance?

It is highly unlikely it will affect the owner in any way, as it is tied to your personal driving record and not the vehicle itself. It won't even affect their insurance.

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.

Does insurance follow the vehicle or person?

The Insurance Policy Follows the Car and Not the Driver

Under California law, in most instances, the insurance policy attaches to the car itself. If someone was driving your car, it would be your insurance policy that paid for the damages. However, that does not mean that you should assume that the driver is covered.

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

Your comprehensive car insurance or Third Party Car Insurance policy is only attached to your vehicle. It doesn't follow you when you drive other people's cars, unfortunately. For someone else to be covered while driving your vehicle, they need to be on your policy as a listed driver.

Can I drive my wife's car if I'm not on her 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.

Is it okay to let someone borrow your car?

If they have a current license, a clean record, and a valid insurance policy, you may feel more comfortable lending them your car. Consider the circumstances. Is your friend impaired in any way or unfit to drive? If the answer is “yes,” then your answer to them should be a resounding “no.”

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.

Should I let my son borrow my car?

One of the primary concerns when lending your car to family members, especially those not listed on your insurance policy, is the potential risk it poses. Insurance companies may refuse to cover the damages if the person driving the car is not a named insured.

What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy?

Failure to list a driver can result in coverage limitations, claim denials, and potential legal issues. Not listing drivers on your car insurance policy can lead to disputes over liability, and potential violations of policy terms, which can result in penalties or even policy cancellation.

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 Georgia?

Many people wonder whether car insurance covers the car or the driver. Car insurance in Georgia typically follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means your auto insurance policy is usually the first line of defense if someone else gets into an accident while driving your car, regardless of who was behind the wheel.