Why does an insurance company want to know who will be driving the car?

Asked by: Hildegard Will  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (5 votes)

Why Car Insurance Companies Check Your Driving Record
They want to know how much risk you carry for them. That's why they check your driving record. According to Car Insurance Companies, apart from your driving history, they will factor in loads of other conditions to determine your risk level, such as: Your location.

What information do car insurance companies have access to?

Information you provide to the insurance company is double-checked, including reports on mileage, claims history and credit history.

Does the owner of the car have to be the main driver on insurance?

Every car insurance policy has a "main driver". This has to be the person who does most of the driving. To get someone else insured on that car, you have to add them as a "named driver". ... But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper.

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

If a friend or a family member has an accident and isn't insured, then you will have to use your insurance. Unless you have expressly denied that driver permission to use your vehicle.

Does everyone in the household have to be on car insurance?

Yes, everyone in your household should normally be listed on your car insurance policy. You need to disclose all household members when applying for car insurance. ... If your children do not live with you, but still occasionally drive your vehicles, you will need to inform your car insurance company.

Is Black Box Insurance Worth It for New Car Drivers in UK?

42 related questions found

Can I add someone to my car insurance that doesn't live with me?

No, you cannot add someone who doesn't live with you to your car insurance in most cases. ... But car insurance companies may deny the claim if they decide that driver should have been listed on your policy because they live with you or had regular access to the car.

Are you liable if someone has an accident in your car?

How Your Primary Coverage Works. The bottom line is that when someone to whom you have loaned your car causes an accident that injures another person or damages someone's property, you are liable, and your insurance will be the first in line to cover their costs.

What happens if I let someone borrow my car and they crash?

If you let a friend borrow your car and he or she causes an accident, your auto insurer would be responsible for paying for damages to the other driver and his or her passengers, up to the limits of your policy. If damages exceed your policy limits, your friend's insurance would act as secondary coverage.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver?

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.

How does insurance work if someone borrows your car?

Your auto insurance policy is responsible for your car when someone else driving it is involved in an accident. ... If a friend borrows your car and causes an accident, your insurance policy pays for any at-fault damages. A rule of thumb to remember in this situation is “car insurance follows the car, not the driver.”

Can a company be the registered keeper of a vehicle?

The registered keeper is the main user of the car. A company car is a common example of when a registered keeper and owner are different. The company owns the car and the employee who drives the car is the registered keeper.

Do insurance companies communicate with each other?

While car insurance companies don't talk directly to each other, they do share information. All car insurance companies can access your claims history through a database called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE). They will also use other similar statistics to assess your risk.

What reports do insurance companies use?

Insurance companies use C.L.U.E. reports to decide what you'll pay for insurance. The reports are meant to be an accurate reflection of your insurance loss history.

How do insurance companies find out about accidents?

Car insurance companies typically look at your motor vehicle record (MVR) when you apply for a new policy and every year around renewal time. Your MVR will include accidents that were reported to the state. For example, if police responded to the scene of an accident and filed a report, it will be included in the MVR.

What happens if my friend crashes my car?

Your collision insurance will pay for the damages to your own vehicle if your friend crashes your car, if you have that coverage on your policy, as collision is optional. ... So, if your friend is in a serious accident, the damages may go beyond your limits and that is where it gets interesting.

Can I let a friend borrow my car?

Although you should check your individual policy, most of the time you can let someone drive your car and still have coverage. As long as you give the person permission, and they only drive the car occasionally, there shouldn't be an issue. Accidents, however, are unpredictable and can happen anytime.

Can I sue my friend for crashing my car?

You can sue someone for a minor car accident, but generally, the criteria for a successful lawsuit are as follows: The other party owed it to you to drive safely. ... Their unsafe driving caused your accident. You suffered injuries and financial losses.

Who is liable if you borrow a car?

If you haven't given much thought to what happens with insurance when someone borrows your car, here's a rule of thumb: You and your insurance are responsible for any damages or liabilities caused by the borrower. That's right. Insurance goes with your vehicle, not with you.

Who is liable if I loan my car to a friend?

Friends causing car accidents

Suppose you lend the car to a friend, who causes an accident. Your liability insurance would pay to repair damage to the other vehicle and any medical bills, up to your policy limits. Once those limits are reached, your friend would be responsible for what's left over.

Who is responsible for accident owner or driver?

The owner is not in the car at the time of the accident: Whether it's a case of negligent driving or a case of drunken driving, the onus is on the person driving. The car owner can be liable if the car was not in roadworthy condition.

Do you have to notify your insurance company of an accident?

Yes - if you've been in an accident, you do have to tell your insurer. You should send your insurer a letter telling them what's happened.

Can I insure my child's car if they don't live with me?

Generally, car insurance companies don't allow policyholders to add people who don't live in the same household as them to their policy, but it varies based on the case. ... But if they don't live with you, you likely won't be able to add them to your car insurance.

Can I add a sibling to my car insurance?

So who should I add to my car insurance policy? Typically, you can add immediate family members. In some states, it's the law to add your spouse, siblings, or children who live with you as named drivers to your policy. If someone is part of your household, you can also add them to your policy.

Does it cost money to add someone to your car insurance?

Adding a driver to a car insurance policy can cost as little as $0 extra, or it can add as much as 100%+ to your annual premium. ... Adding a teen driver to a policy increases the premium by an average of 140% to 160%, according to several studies, but it could be much higher or lower depending on your state.

What does a CLUE report show?

A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report discloses any insurance claims made by a policyholder in recent years on your potential home or vehicle. For example, a CLUE report will show if a policyholder filed a claim for damage after a storm or fire, or if the car was involved in an accident.