To drive someone else’s vehicle, you don’t need to have your own car insurance. If you drive a lot, however, you may want to get non-owner car insurance.
You might need to use someone else’s vehicle for a variety of reasons. If you borrow someone’s car for a few hours, your auto insurance policy will cover you. Car insurance usually covers the vehicle and not the driver.
Things can get more complicated if you are borrowing someone’s car often. To protect yourself and your family, you might consider getting a non owner policy or being added to another’s policy.
The Key Takeaways
- You are covered by the auto insurance policy of anyone who borrows a car from someone else. Their liability coverage will cover you for any injuries or damages you cause if you are involved in an accident.
- Car insurance rates are usually higher due to accidents and claims. If you cause an accident while driving a friend’s vehicle, it could lead to higher premiums.
- Rent cars, borrowing cars, and/or if you are in between cars, you might consider purchasing non-owner car insurance to increase your liability protection.
Can I drive a car belonging to someone else without insurance?
You are covered if you use another person’s vehicle with their permission. You can borrow the car of another person and also get their car insurance.
If the owner of the car allows you to drive their vehicle, then you are covered under what is called “permissive use.” Permissive use means that other drivers are covered by the vehicle owner’s car insurance, so their liability coverage will cover any damages or injury you cause to others while driving their vehicle. The collision insurance on the car that you borrow will protect it from any damage or injury caused by other drivers.
If you are caught speeding in someone else’s vehicle, you can get a ticket from the police. However, you will not be able to show proof of insurance.
What happens if I’m in an accident with someone else’s car?
Uninsured drivers who cause an accident with another vehicle’s car will be covered by their auto insurance policy. Their insurance would cover any damage to their vehicle or bodily injury you cause.
If you borrow a friend’s car to go grocery shopping and then get in an accident with another vehicle, your friend can file a claim with their insurance to cover the damage. However, claims and accidents can impact car insurance premiums so your friend could end up paying more for their car. This is why some people hesitate to allow others to drive their cars.
What happens if my car insurance doesn’t cover me?
In certain cases, your car insurance may not cover what you do while driving someone else’s vehicle.
- You didn’t have permission – If someone lends you a car without permission (and they can prove that), and you cause an accident, you are responsible for all damages.
- You are an exclusion driver from their policy. If you are excluded from someone else’s car insurance policy, and borrow their car, your car insurance won’t cover you. They might also increase the rates of the car owner for breaking a policy rule.
- You are not licensed to drive – If you don’t have a valid driver’s license and you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, your insurance won’t cover you. Both of you could face legal consequences.
- You were driving while under the influence. If you drive under the influence in another vehicle’s car, the insurance company won’t pay for any damages. This could also lead to legal consequences.
Important note: You may not be covered by another person’s car insurance if your household isn’t listed on their policies. Car insurance companies often require that each driver of a household must be listed on their car insurance policy. Your claim could be denied if you cause an accident while driving a car belonging to your spouse, roommate, or friend.
What are the conditions for having my own insurance in order to drive someone else’s car?
Car insurance companies understand that people often borrow other people’s cars. This is why your policy includes permissive use. You might consider buying non-owner car coverage if you borrow cars from others. It is also worth considering adding another driver to your car insurance policy.
What is non-owner auto insurance?
Non-owner car insurance does not cover a car. The non-owner policy covers only liability, which means it does not cover bodily injury (BI), or property damage (PD) caused by an accident you cause. However, sometimes insurance companies offer personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as add-ons to non-owner policies.
You should only consider purchasing non-owner car insurance in certain circumstances.
- If you drive a car owned by another person a lot, it is possible that your auto insurance will cover the rest. Non-owner car insurance provides extra liability coverage. Your non-owner insurance will ensure that you have sufficient coverage to cover the cost of any injury or damage you cause.
- If you rent cars frequently: Most states require drivers to carry liability coverage. However, it is cheaper to purchase a non-owner policy for car insurance if you rent cars a lot. If you rent more than one car per year, a non-owner policy with declining liability coverage may be more cost-effective.
- You are in between cars: It is a good idea to keep your auto insurance in force if you are in between cars. Lagging in coverage can lead to higher rates down the road. Non-owner car insurance can be purchased while you are in between cars. Insurance companies will not raise your premiums, or consider you high risk, if you have non-owner coverage.
After a DUI conviction, auto insurance is required. This is because your license will be suspended and you’ll need an SR-22. It is the form that your insurer must submit to the state to show that you have insurance.
FAQs
Is insurance for the car or the driver?
Car insurance usually covers the vehicle, not the driver. If you are the driver of another car, your auto insurance policy covers you. The only exception to being covered by someone else’s insurance policy while you are driving their car is if they don’t give permission or if you’re exempted from their policy.
Is it possible to drive the car of your parents without having to have insurance?
If you live with your parents, and are of driving age or older, you will need to be named as an insured on their policy. Most insurers require that all drivers licensed in the household be included on their auto insurance policies. You won’t need to add to your parents’ insurance if you are just visiting them for the weekend. If you borrow their car to shop or visit a friend, they will cover you under their permissive use provision.
Can I have my car insured by someone else?
You cannot have someone else insure your car. Both the name on your car’s title and that on the policy must match. Insurance companies want you have an “insurable interest” (or ownership) in the vehicle. Insurance interest is when you have a financial stake in the vehicle. You don’t have any financial stake in the car and you have no reason for it to be protected from damage. You can still co-title your car, but this would mean that you could add an additional owner to your vehicle, and insurance could be in their names.