If Someone Else Drives Your Car and Gets in an Accident, Am I Responsible?

Let’s say a good friend needs to borrow your car to run errands for a couple of hours because their car is getting repaired. But before handing over your keys, you should first check how your auto insurance coverage will apply if someone else drives your case and then gets into an accident.

Auto Insurance Coverage Covers The Vehicle, Not The Driver

Claims arising from the use of your car, regardless of who’s driving it during an accident, will land with your insurer, provided that you gave the driver permission to drive your car. Basically, whose auto insurance coverage will apply would depend on various factors, mainly:

• Who’s at fault for the crash
• How many drivers or motorists were involved in the accident
• The insurance policies of the car owner and driver
• State insurance laws
• The specific type of car accident or damage

For instance, let’s say you let your friend borrow your car. If another driver hits them and causes the crash, that driver’s auto insurance policy must cover any injuries or vehicle damage resulting from the crash. But if your friend causes the crash, your insurance policy will cover the resulting damage or injuries up to your policy’s limits. Your friend’s insurance coverage will only be triggered once your coverage has been exhausted. However, both of you may also be sued for any injuries or damage.

Likewise, if your friend damages your car in an accident they caused, and you don’t have collision or comprehensive insurance coverage, your insurer will not cover the repair or replacement costs. But even if your friend carries comprehensive or collision insurance, their insurer will not cover the damage to your car. This means that your friend should ideally pay for the repairs out-of-pocket.

When Your Auto Insurance Coverage Will Not Cover Another Person’s Accident

Your insurer may not cover any damages in certain situations. This is why you need to know about any limitations, exceptions, and exclusions in your policy before letting a person that is not covered under your policy drive your car. Common exceptions include:

• A person who drove your car without permission.
• Depending on your insurer, if a family or household member is not named in your policy and causes a crash while driving your car, your insurer will not cover the accident.
• A driver without a valid driver’s license.
• If the person who drove your vehicle uses it for commercial activities, like offering rideshare or delivery services, your policy will not cover the accident.
• Some auto insurance policies only cover the policyholder. Others let you exclude specific people from coverage, like a person with a suspended driver’s license.

Talk to a Skilled Plano, TX, Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have questions or concerns about a car accident case, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Law Office of Joel Vecchio, P.C., for legal counsel. Set up your free case review with our Plano, TX, car accident attorney by reaching us online or calling 972-380-4444.