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

Asked by: Watson Dare  |  Last update: May 27, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

When the Owner's Insurance is Primary. Most insurance policies in Texas follow the vehicle, not the driver. This means that if you allow someone else to drive your car and they get into an accident, your auto insurance is usually the first line of coverage for any damages.

Who is responsible if someone is driving my car and gets in an accident in Texas?

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.

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

A person can usually operate your vehicle with your permission if they adhere to your policy's guidelines. These motorists are often referred to as “permissive use drivers.” When you grant consent to another individual, they are generally protected under your coverage.

What happens if someone borrows my 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.

What Happens If Someone Borrows My Car And Gets In An Accident?

34 related questions found

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Texas?

In most cases, Texas auto insurance policies cover the motorist, their family, and people driving their car with permission. Generally, bodily injury liability, personal injury liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage follow the vehicle. However, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage follows the driver.

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 if I get into a car accident with someone else's car?

Summary. Generally, auto insurance follows the car, not the driver. If you borrow and crash a friend's car, the friend's insurance policy usually pays for the property damage and injuries. If a friend borrows your car and gets in an accident, your insurance policy coverage will usually kick in.

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.

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 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.

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.

Whose insurance covers a borrowed 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 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.

Do you call the other person's insurance?

If you get into a car accident, you are under no obligation to call another driver's insurance company to work out the claim. All you need to do is talk to your insurance provider when you get into an accident or if someone else hits your car, and they will handle the claim on your behalf.

Can I give permission for someone to drive my car?

Most of the time, as long as you gave a driver permission to borrow your car, it's likely not a problem for them to drive your car, even if they're not on your car insurance policy.

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 I add someone else's car to my insurance?

Just make sure you have the necessary info for each vehicle handy before updating your policy. Insurance for someone else's car: If you and the other vehicle's owner both live in the same permanent residence and are named insureds on the policy, then you can typically add their vehicle.

What is drive-other car coverage?

Drive other car (DOC) insurance is an endorsement you can add to your commercial auto insurance to cover employees who use company-owned vehicles. This endorsement is a way of expanding your auto coverage to include non-owned vehicles these employees might rent or borrow.

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.

How does insurance work when someone hits your car?

Collision coverage typically helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's hit by another vehicle (or if you hit another vehicle or object), regardless of who is at fault. Even if you cannot find the other driver, you may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy's collision coverage.

Am I liable if my name is on a car title?

If the truck is in your name and they get into an accident, you are jointly liable with them for damages caused. If your insurance finds they have no license they will not cover the damages and you would be personally liable.

Does your insurance go up if you add another driver?

Typically, adding drivers to your policy can increase your premium. For example, there is a reason adding a teenage or newly licensed driver to an auto policy can result in an increase in insurance premiums.

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.

What is the difference between a named insured and a driver?

As the owner of the auto insurance policy, the named insured is presumed to be the primary driver. This means that their driving record, credit history and more are taken into account when the carrier calculates premiums. The named insured also decides whom the policy covers, which affects premiums.