What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in Michigan?

Asked by: Ms. Liza Corwin MD  |  Last update: March 9, 2025
Score: 5/5 (3 votes)

If your policy includes a “permissive use” clause, your insurance will cover damages caused by the person driving your car, even if they aren't explicitly named in your policy. Keep in mind, though, that there may be limits on the coverage amount for permissive drivers.

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

What if my friend causes an automobile accident and they don't have insurance? In Michigan, your liability insurance coverage will provide you liability protection up to the policy limits you selected in your policy if your uninsured friend got in to automobile accident in your vehicle and injured or killed someone.

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

In Michigan, there are three exceptions when someone else drives in which they may not be covered by your No Fault insurance: your policy excludes the driver, the driver lives out of state and doesn't own a vehicle registered in Michigan, the person didn't have permission to drive your car.

What if a driver isn't listed on an insurance policy?

Yes, there can be penalties if a driver is not listed on car insurance. The specific penalties vary by state, but they can include fines, license suspension, registration suspension, and even jail time in some cases.

What happens if both parties don't have insurance in an accident?

If neither party in a car crash has insurance, it is critical to speak to an attorney about your legal rights and options. The evidence may end up showing that the other driver was responsible for the accident, meaning that he or she owes you money rather than the other way around.

DON’T GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MICHIGAN CAR INSURANCE!

22 related questions found

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

How do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?

If the at-fault party is uninsured, the insurer may pursue subrogation against the driver personally.

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.

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

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.

Can my son drive my car if he is 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 my child wrecks my car?

Many states across the U.S. have passed laws which hold parents and guardians responsible for their teen drivers. California is one of the states to uphold this legal principle, termed vicarious liability.

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 you get in an accident in someone else's car?

Assuming you had permission to drive your friend's car, their auto insurance should cover the accident; an auto insurance policy generally follows the car, not the driver. If the damages and injuries exceed their policy limits, you will typically file a claim with your auto insurance company.

What happens if someone is not on your insurance?

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.

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

Generally, most car insurance policies in North Carolina follow the car, not the driver. When someone borrows your vehicle and causes an accident, as the vehicle owner, your liability policy should compensate the injured individuals for their financial losses.

Can you sue someone if you don't have car insurance?

Other states allow uninsured drivers to collect economic damages, like medical expenses and property damage, but restrict other types of compensation. For example, in California, drivers who are uninsured at the time of an accident can't get "non-economic" damages from the at-fault driver.

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?

If you were not listed on the car owner's policy, the insurance company may not cover any damages for injuries depending on the language of the policy. If that's the case, you or your own insurance policy may be responsible for damages.

Does it matter whose name is on the car insurance card?

In most states, police will accept an auto insurance card that lists the car you're driving on it, and it doesn't matter if your name is specifically on the card (some states even accept electronic proof of auto insurance); however, Texas is different.

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.

Can my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?

Your spouse must be listed on your insurance policy regardless of driving status. Since insurance is all about properly rating risk, companies will require that your spouse be listed on your policy to know who they are and are not covering.

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.

Is it worth suing an uninsured driver?

Suing the uninsured driver might not be worth it unless they are financially capable of satisfying a judgment. After a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact a car accident lawyer about your legal options.

Am I covered against uninsured drivers?

If you cause an accident and you have a comprehensive Car Insurance policy, the cost of repairing both your car and the uninsured driver's car is covered. If you only have third-party insurance, you'll have to pay for any repairs to your own car yourself, but the uninsured driver's car will still be covered.

Will my insurance go up if I get hit by an uninsured driver?

However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.