Can Someone Not on Your Insurance Drive Your Car?

If someone drives your car, they are generally covered by your insurance. However, there are certain conditions and limitations.

Most policies include a "permissive use" clause, allowing occasional drivers to operate your vehicle with your explicit consent. Even if an unlisted driver uses your car, they can still drive covered. However, permissive use has limitations, such as frequency of use, excluded drivers and restrictions on business use.

Your car insurance primarily covers the car, not the driver, so if someone borrows your car with your permission, your insurance will be the primary coverage in an accident.

• Does My Car Insurance Cover Other Drivers?
• What Happens if Another Driver Gets in an Accident in Your Car?
• Adding Another Driver to Your Policy
• FAQs

Someone else can borrow your car and be covered by your insurance if:

• You added them as a driver in your policy
• Your policy includes a permissive use clause, and they have permission to drive your car

If you've specifically added someone as a driver to your insurance policy, they are generally covered when driving your car. This might include family members or regular users of your vehicle. It's a clear and straightforward way to ensure that both your car and the person driving it are financially protected in case of a covered incident.

Many insurance policies also include what's known as a "permissive use" clause. This means that if you give someone permission to drive your car, your insurance may extend to cover them, even if they're not named in the policy.

However, it's important to note that "permission" here typically means explicit consent. If someone takes your car without your knowledge or against your wishes, the permissive use clause might not apply.

Most car insurance companies require policyholders to add all household members — potential drivers — to the policy. Adding family members or roommates to your policy can help make sure that in the event of an accident, your car insurance will process your claim. Otherwise, an insurer may easily argue that they are not a listed driver and deny your claim.

Car insurance covers the car, not the driver. If someone borrows your car with your permission, your car's insurance policy is the primary coverage that applies in the event of an accident or damage. It doesn't matter who is driving; the insurance that you have on that specific car is what comes into play. As long as you give permission for someone to drive your car and your policy allows permissive drivers, your insurance will cover them, even if they are not named on your policy.

Your car insurance usually kicks in if someone borrows your car and gets into an accident — up to your policy limits. Your car insurance generally covers other drivers as long as they’re driving with your permission and following state laws, and your policy allows permissive use drivers.

If your policy allows permissive use drivers, your liability, collision and comprehensive insurance are likely to cover them in an accident.

Keep in mind that you'll likely be responsible for paying the deductible on your collision coverage, even if you weren't driving.

If someone not on your insurance drives your car and causes an accident, you must file a claim with your insurance provider, just as if you were driving. If the cost of damages exceeds your coverage limits, the borrower's policy may serve as secondary insurance to cover the remaining expenses.

This secondary coverage can cover the remaining costs, adhering to the limits of the borrower's policy. The way this situation is handled may vary, influenced by the specific terms of both your and the borrower's insurance policies, as well as state regulations.

Although car insurance is generally tied to your car and not you as the policyholder, there are scenarios where your insurance won’t cover your car, such as when drivers don’t have your permission or drove your car under the influence.

Ensure that anyone you lend your car to is responsible and holds a valid driver's license. Even if your insurance will cover a collision, you're not off the financial hook — you'll still be responsible for paying the car insurance deductible before your provider pays out the settlement.

If frequent borrowers of your car include members of your household, they may already be taken care of as your provider will likely request that you include household members who are potential drivers on your insurance policy. This may include family members or roommates who may need insurance coverage if they drive your car.

Additionally, if you have long-term guests with a valid license who will be borrowing your car, you may consider temporarily adding them to your insurance.

MoneyGeek's answers to frequently asked questions provide insights into whether someone who isn't listed on your car insurance policy can drive your vehicle.