If you really want to have a friend back at the wheel of your car (hey, summer trip!), what does that have to do with your car insurance? Is it covered by other drivers?

Good question. As we are ready to discuss, it depends on the coverage you have and who is responsible if there is an accident. And (you think) there are exceptions and speed barriers to be aware of before you hand over the keys!

We will try to make it as simple as possible. Let’s see how auto insurance enters the game when someone else puts the pedal to your steel.

In your auto insurance coverage, your car is covered by extensive and collision coverage and you are covered through your liability and any clinical coverage.

In most cases, the insurance company will pay to cover repairs to your vehicle no matter the driving.1 But when the insurance provider sees the person behind your wheel and the other car involved in the collision, the points become less black and white. This can depend on your coverage terms, your plans and determine where you live.

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Advantages: Look carefully at the small print of your plans before you let someone else have them! Whether they live in a different place, another driver must do the same.

Now, let’s look specifically at how liability, extent and collision coverage can affect the points when someone else is driving your car.

Liability coverage is mandatory in almost every specification other than New Hampshire. It is there to cover costs if you are liable in an accident along with various other clinical and driver repair costs.

But would it help if your Aunt Carol was visiting from out of state, had your car one morning, and had a minor fight (which was her fault)? Let’s see:

Let’s change this about and claim another driver responsible. Due to the situation, neither you nor Aunt Carol need to worry as various other driver’s liability coverages will be incurred for your repairs, legal fees and Carol’s clinical costs. That is unless you live within the “no errors” specification. (More on that quickly.)

Advantages: Liability will help cover problems for various other vehicles. This goes without saying, but make sure you never leave an uninsured driver behind the wheel of your car.

Currently, if your auto insurance coverage consists of extensive and collision coverage (and we recommend that you have both), this pair will help with expenses for your car repairs—even if, as in our example, Aunt Carol is driving.

If your auto insurance coverage consists of extensive and collision coverage (and we recommend that you have both), this pair will help with expenses for your car repairs.

But this is where the gray areas sneak in. Since you’re not driving your car, your plan may not pay as much for repairs. Let’s say the cost of repairs exceeds the total your plan allows. Your insurance company can rely on Carol’s insurance provider for the rest.

Also if you do not reach or exceed your limit, your insurance provider can contact Carol’s provider to recover some of the costs however. Besides, he’s driving! Again, it’s done in small print.

All right, hang out with us here. For further discussion, auto insurance coverage usually consists of provisions about who has “approval” to use your car and who does not. But determine differ in the way they use these liberal chauffeur laws.

Usually car insurance coverage consists of provisions about who has “approval” to use your car and who does not. But determine differ in the way they use these liberal chauffeur laws.

In our example, let’s claim your plan doesn’t have liberal terms of use in it. Your insurance provider may choose not to pay Aunt Carol’s clinical obligations and expenses—even if she is not responsible.

On the other hand, if your plan does have free terms of use, Carol will definitely be covered. Let’s look carefully at this provision in its entirety.

Free use is a provision in your insurance coverage that covers the driver you agree to own your car. The consent can only be spoken. It doesn’t need to be written anywhere. And this driver does not need to be a participant from your immediate family or live in your home. They could be friends (or distant aunts). But you should look at your plan first to see if there are liberal terms of use in position. Not all insurance coverage consists of it.

Non-permissive use is when someone takes your car without your permission. This can be a robbery, but it can also happen if a friend uses it without your consent. If they have an accident and they are liable, it will be their insurance coverage covering their liability first—not yours. But you probably won’t escape responsibility for some fees either. Why? Because most insurance providers will be of the view that, because you usually know them, you did give them permission—unless you specifically mention them in your plan as someone who isn’t allowed to use your car.

The drivers called for in your auto insurance coverage are participants from your immediate family who live in your home. It goes without saying, but you should constantly check with your insurance provider about what your home insurance covers. Most insurance providers will ask you to list these people along with your regular car users when you use auto insurance. Always let your provider know that you prefer to register as a called-in driver on your policy — especially if that person uses your car regularly.

Most specs will allow you to omit certain called drivers from your package. This could be someone in your family whose driving record is not good or has had several accidents to their name. By eliminating them, you protect your own insurance premiums from rising.

But what happens if they ignore this exception and use your car? And, even worse, should they break it? Your state’s laws can come into play at this point. But, as a basic guideline, your insurance provider will not pay if the omitted driver uses the car without your consent and causes damage.

Points may change as you discuss drivers omitted in a “no fault” spec like Florida. Due to the situation, your plan will pay to cover your repairs and damages no matter who is responsible.

But if you live in a place that has no faults and the person responsible for the accident is the missing driver, the two of you can be hired to pay the irresponsible driver a fee if they reach their liability limit.

Now, obviously you should constantly check your insurance coverage before letting someone else get behind the wheel. Here are some other points to think about:

Advantages: Remember all these points before activating someone else behind the wheel of your car. For example, allowing your insurance-covered roommate and a valid driver’s license to help you on your trip may be a lot less risky than letting your uninsured friend of 2 go pick up at the next gas station.

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If you’re looking for auto insurance coverage or just need help determining which coverage you’ll receive from what you have, an independent insurance representative can help.

Use our Endorsed Local Provider (ELP) program to find a professional in your location!

It’s free to connect, and they’ll help you find the plan that gives you the protection you need—not just for you, but all of your family members and any “Aunt Carols” in your world!

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