While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver. Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits. However, if the driver is also insured, their auto insurance could also pay out, depending on their policy and the details of the accident.
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Standard auto insurance policies typically cover drivers that you authorize to drive your vehicle. This is referred to as "permissive use" and may cover drivers that aren't listed on your car insurance policy. However, anyone that regularly drives your vehicle should be listed as a driver on your policy.
Depending on your state requirements and your insurer, you may be required to list any drivers that live at your permanent residence, regardless of how often they drive your car. Even if they don't live with you, they should be added to your policy if they regularly drive your vehicle. A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident.
Family members who live in your household and drive your vehicle, including a teenager or your significant other, should be listed as drivers on your policy. Also make sure to add your roommate to your policy, if they use your vehicle regularly.
Have a friend who regularly borrows your vehicle? Find out if you're able to add your friend to your auto insurance policy.
In certain cases, your insurance company may cover the accident. Someone who borrows your vehicle can be covered up to the full extent of your policy's auto insurance coverages. But there are situations when someone borrows your vehicle and your policy may not cover the accident, including:
Are you uninsured and planning to borrow a car? Consider purchasing a non-owner insurance policy. This type of policy provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, but won't cover damage to the vehicle you drive or any injuries you may suffer in an accident.
Depending on the situation, your auto insurance policy may cover an uninsured driver if they're involved in an accident while operating your vehicle. However, if the uninsured driver is at fault in the accident, they may be liable for the injuries and/or damages they caused beyond the limits of your policy.
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Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.
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