What happens if you get in an accident while borrowing someone's car?
Asked by: Prof. Pablo Mante | Last update: September 23, 2025Score: 5/5 (17 votes)
What happens if you borrow someone's car and get into an accident?
- Typically, the car owner's insurance will cover the damages if the borrower has permission to use the vehicle. This means your policy may pay for the damages to your car and any liability for damages caused to other vehicles or property. - If the borrower has their own insurance policy, that may also come into play.
Does my insurance cover me if I 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 get in an accident while driving someone else's car?
If your friend or any family members get into an accident while behind the wheel of your vehicle, liability will also take into account whether or not they had driver's permission. California's laws on insurance coverage mean that the car insurance will follow the vehicle, no matter who is driving it.
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
What happens if I let someone borrow my car and they’re in an accident?
When someone hits you, do you call your insurance or theirs?
For example, if your car repair damage is $19,000 and the other driver's insurance covers up to $15,000, you still have to pay $4,000 in repair bills. In this case, your car insurance company may cover the costs resulting from this underinsured driver. This is why you should call your insurance if someone hits you.
Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.
What happens if my boyfriend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
In general, your insurance company will cover the accident if the person driving had permission to use your car and caused the accident. If they didn't cause the accident, the at-fault driver's coverage usually kicks in.
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 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.
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.
How does insurance work if you share a car?
Person A holds the title and registration in their name while sharing regular driving duties with Person B. In this example, Person A would insure the vehicle and Person B would be listed as a covered driver. If the vehicle were totaled, all claims payouts would be made to Person A, who owns the vehicle.
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in NY?
NY Car Insurance Follows the Car
In New York, your car insurance coverage includes coverage for other drivers of your vehicle—following the car rather than the driver. This applies to collision, uninsured motorist protection, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), and property damage liability insurance.
Am I covered if I borrow someone's car?
If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent. Assuming the driver gave you consent to operate the vehicle or, at the very least, there is reasonable belief that you had permission to drive it, then you're probably covered.
Am I liable if someone borrows my car and gets in an accident in the UK?
In most cases, your car insurance extends to whoever you let drive your car. If someone else is driving your car and there is a car accident, responsibility and liability will depend on who caused the accident and the person driving your car. It will also depend on the terms of your auto insurance policy.
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in PA?
The At-Fault Driver in PA
If the person driving your car suffered an injury or your vehicle was damaged, you each may have a claim against the at-fault party's insurance policy as long as the person driving your vehicle was not more than 50% at fault for causing the accident.
What happens if my friend borrowed my car and gets in 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 ...
Do I call my insurance if I'm not at fault?
Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involves injuries or property damage. It is a common myth that you needn't contact your insurance company if you aren't at fault.
What happens if you accidentally scratch someone's car in a parking lot?
PEOPLE ASK. I accidentally scratched someone's car and left, what should I do? If you hit a car in a parking lot and left a scratch on the car, leaving the scene is wrong and illegal. Your best move is to return to the scene and see if the car is still there to leave a note.
What happens if someone else drives your car and has an accident?
Liability When Someone Else Drives Your Car
When it comes to insurance coverage, policies in California typically follow the vehicle, meaning that your policy would cover damages even if someone else was driving your car.
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 wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance in Texas?
If the driver involved in the accident isn't listed on your insurance policy, the situation becomes more complex. 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 my husband 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 no one is at fault in an accident?
But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.
Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?
If you own the car without any loans or liens, you will receive a check for the value assessed by the insurance company. If there is a loan, the check usually goes first to the leasing company or the lender. If you owe money on the vehicle, you should notify the lending company that your car has been totaled.