Your Auto Insurance Questions Answered: Can Someone Else Drive My Car?

Imagine this: your brother is home for the holidays and asks to borrow your car, so he can meet up with a friend from high school. He’s a safe driver and you want him to be able to spend some quality time with an old friend, but you’re not sure about the insurance implications. Does insurance follow the car or the driver? Can someone else drive my car and still be covered by their insurance? Does my Auto insurance cover other drivers? In today’s blog, our insurance experts answer some of your burning Auto insurance questions.

Does Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver?

In most cases, car insurance follows the car rather than the driver. If, for example, you give a friend or family member who lives outside your home permission to drive your car and they get into an accident, your insurance will likely cover them. If your child lives in your house and regularly drives your car, for example, they will not necessarily be covered unless they are added to your policy. There are other factors that may affect your coverage, like what state you live in or your specific auto policy language. Some auto policies may be “listed driver” policies, in which the driver must be listed on the policy for your coverage to apply. Alternatively, the insurance typically follows the driver in the event that you’re driving a rental car in the United States.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Other Drivers?

As we mentioned above, Auto insurance will typically cover individuals who you let borrow your car. That said, if the person who drives your car lives in your home and regularly drives your car, you’re responsible for disclosing that information to your insurance company and adding them to the policy. Because every policy is different, we recommend reaching out to your independent insurance agent to make sure you understand the ins and outs of your personal Auto insurance policy in your particular state.

Can Someone Else Drive My Car?

In the end, it’s up to you to decide if someone else can drive your car. While insurance does typically cover the car, not the driver, you will be the one who has to pay the deductible and any raised premiums in the event of an accident. That’s why in addition to considering the factors above, you should also make sure that anyone who does drive your car is a safe and responsible driver.

Have more Auto insurance questions? Reach out to an independent insurance agent near you. In the meantime, check out our insurance blog where we answer your burning questions, including what to do if you get in a car accident and do you have to add a teenage driver to your insurance.

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