What happens if you borrow someone's car and get into an accident?
Asked by: Dr. Ottilie Bogisich | Last update: June 1, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (38 votes)
What happens if someone borrows my car and crashes it?
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 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 when you get into an accident with someone else's car?
Understanding the Role of Fault in a California Car Accident
In car accidents in this state, the driver who caused the car crash will be responsible for paying for the financial damages. If the accident happened because of the other driver, you may have less to worry about if someone else was driving your car.
What is the Oregon law on car accidents?
Fault and Negligence Laws in Oregon
After an auto accident, a common question is who was responsible and who will pay for damages. Oregon is an at-fault state, which means that someone will be determined to have been most to blame for the accident. That person will be responsible for paying for property damages.
What happens if someone else driving my car gets in an accident?
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Oregon?
Auto insurance coverage follows the vehicle, so your car will generally be covered while your relative is driving, the same as if you were driving.
Is Oregon a no-fault accident state?
Oregon is not a “no fault” state. Oregon follows a “fault” based system. In Oregon, the person who was “at fault” for causing the accident is responsible for any damages or harm resulting from the accident. This would include injuries, damage to vehicles, lost income, etc.
Does your insurance cover driving someone else's car?
While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver.
What happens if someone else drives your rental car and gets in an accident?
When someone is driving a rental car, the rental company assumes that their name is on the contract. If an unauthorized driver is in control of the vehicle, all insurance plans or coverage options offered by the rental company are null and void. The unauthorized driver's insurance will be used to pay for all damages.
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.
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 someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Ohio?
It is law in Ohio that you must have insurance to drive any motor vehicle. A vehicle owner may not allow anyone else to drive their motor vehicle without insurance.
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Alberta?
You're lending your car and your insurance
So even if you're not driving, it's your car insurance that will respond if your vehicle is involved in an accident. This also means that you will now have a claim on your record, even though you weren't the one driving. You'll need to submit the claim through your insurance.
How does insurance work if someone borrows my car?
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.
Can I sue someone who borrowed my car?
If a friend, family member, or someone else borrowed your car without permission and got into an accident, they may be directly liable for the damages.
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.
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.
Do police know who is driving a rental car?
The police will get the owner through ANPR. If the car was used in a bank robbery, they will contact the owner, who will have the name and details of the person who had it at that time. But on the side of the road, the cop can't know who the rental agency rented it to, unless he calls them.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in California?
You can not drive a vehicle in California without insurance, and you or the person you're borrowing from must have insurance to drive legally. Your regular auto insurance policy in Los Angeles tends to follow the car instead of the person who has paid for the insurance. The same applies to when you borrow a car.
Can I drive my boyfriend's car if I'm not on his insurance?
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 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.
Does my insurance cover an additional driver on a rental car?
Key Points on Rental Car Insurance Coverage
In many cases, it will extend to other drivers, so long as those drivers are listed on your auto insurance policy. Your liability coverage should apply, but aspects like collision damage might only cover the primary renter.
What happens if you don't report an accident in Oregon?
If you do not file a report when required, Oregon law requires DMV to suspend your driving privileges for five years or until you file a report, whichever is sooner. (ORS 809.417(1)).
How long do accidents affect insurance in Oregon?
Oregon: At least five years5.
Is Oregon on a fault?
The Cascadia Fault marks the edge of Oregon's active subduction zone.