Insuring Vehicles: What About The Driver?

Whether car insurance covers the vehicle or the driver depends on several factors. Generally, car insurance follows the car and not the driver. This means that if you give someone permission to use your car, your policy will cover them if they are in an accident. However, if you drive someone else's car, their insurance will likely cover any repairs to their vehicle, and your insurance will not be impacted.

There are exceptions to these rules, and insurance policies can vary. For example, if the person driving your car is not listed on your policy, your insurance may not cover them. Additionally, if you are driving a rental car, your personal insurance may cover you, but this depends on your specific policy.

If you don't own a car, do you need insurance?

If you don't own a car but still want to drive, you should consider getting non-owner car insurance. This type of insurance provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage if you are involved in an accident while driving a car you don't own. It is important to note that non-owner insurance does not cover damage to the vehicle you are driving or your own injuries after an accident.

Non-owner car insurance can be useful in several situations. Firstly, if you frequently borrow cars or use car-sharing services, non-owner insurance can provide additional liability coverage beyond what the car owner's insurance or the car-sharing company provides. Secondly, if you rent cars often, non-owner insurance can be more cost-effective than purchasing liability coverage from the rental company each time. However, it is important to note that non-owner insurance does not cover damage to the rental car itself.

Another benefit of non-owner insurance is that it can help you maintain continuous auto insurance coverage, even if you don't own a car. Having a break in your coverage can make it more difficult and expensive to get insurance in the future. Additionally, non-owner insurance may be required to comply with a court order if you have had a serious moving violation, such as driving under the influence. In this case, the insurance company will file an SR-22 or FR-44 document, certifying that you have the minimum insurance required by the state.

However, there are also situations where non-owner insurance may not be necessary. For example, if you only occasionally borrow a friend's car, their insurance policy should cover any accidents. Similarly, if you drive a company car for business reasons, their commercial auto insurance should provide coverage. Lastly, if you don't have a driver's license or don't plan on driving, you don't need non-owner insurance.

Does car insurance cover the car or the driver?

Whether car insurance covers the car or the driver depends on several factors, including the names on the auto insurance policy and whether the owner gave the borrower permission to drive the vehicle. In general, car insurance follows the car, not the driver. This means that if you give someone permission to use your car, your policy will cover them while they’re driving, and if they get into an accident, your insurance rates will likely go up. However, if you drive someone else's car and get into a crash, your insurance likely won't pay out, and the car owner's insurance will cover any repairs.

There are exceptions to the rule that car insurance follows the car. For example, if you rent a car for personal use, your insurance on your own car will generally apply to the rental. Additionally, if you have given someone permission to use your car, and they get into an accident, your policy will cover them 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.

It's important to note that every policy is unique and is based on multiple factors, including state insurance law. To know for sure whether you're covered in a specific situation, it's best to read your policy documents carefully and reach out to your insurance agent.

What happens if someone gets in an accident in your car?

If someone gets in an accident in your car, the first thing to consider is whether they had your permission to drive it. If they did not, then your insurance coverage will not extend to them, and they will be personally liable for the damages caused. In this case, the driver's insurance coverage will have to pay for the damages, and you may need to cover the costs of your car's repairs out-of-pocket.

If the driver had your permission, your insurance coverage will usually extend to them, and your policy will cover the majority of the medical bills, property damages, and other expenses. This is known as the "permissive use" doctrine. However, if the costs of the accident exceed your policy limit, the driver's insurance may cover the remaining amount.

It's important to note that your car insurance premium rates will likely increase, even if you were not at fault for the accident. This is because insurers consider lending your car to make you a riskier person to cover.

Additionally, if the driver is at fault for the accident, they may be held personally liable for the damages, especially if they were driving under the influence or without a valid license. In this case, you may need to seek legal counsel to protect your rights and determine liability.

To navigate the complex legal issues that may arise in such situations, it is always recommended to consult a lawyer, especially one specializing in car accidents and insurance claims. They can help you understand your insurance policy, gather evidence, and maximize your recovery from insurance or personal injury claims.

What happens if you get in an accident in someone else's car?

If you get into an accident while driving someone else's car, the owner of the vehicle would typically file a claim with their insurance to cover any damages. This is because car insurance usually follows the vehicle, not the driver.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you did not have permission to drive the car, or if the owner of the vehicle specifically excluded you from their insurance policy, you might be personally liable for any damages.

If you had permission to drive the vehicle, the owner's insurance policy should cover you. If the total damages exceed the policy limits, you would then file a claim with your own insurance company for the remaining costs.

It's important to note that not all policies are the same, and some auto insurance policies may exclude other drivers unless they are specifically listed on the policy. These "step-down" policies are generally sold as very cheap policies by sub-standard carriers.

If you are a member of the same household, or you are specifically listed on the owner's policy as a covered driver, you are likely covered under their policy. In some cases, you may also be covered if the owner of the vehicle gave you express permission to drive it.

It's always a good idea to review the insurance policy and understand the coverage before getting behind the wheel of someone else's car.

What is permissive vs non-permissive use?

When it comes to car insurance, there are two types of use: permissive and non-permissive. Permissive use refers to when a policyholder gives another driver permission to drive their vehicle. This permission can be expressed, such as when someone asks to borrow the car and the policyholder verbally agrees, or implied through past behaviour or the relationship between the people involved. For example, a spouse or child of the policyholder may be assumed to have permission to drive the car.

Permissive use is typically included in most car insurance policies and allows unlisted drivers to be covered by the policyholder's insurance while driving their vehicle. This means that if the driver gets into an accident, the policyholder's insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to the coverage limits. However, it's important to note that some insurance companies do not offer permissive use, and it's essential to review the specifics of your policy.

Non-permissive use, on the other hand, refers to when someone drives the policyholder's vehicle without their consent. In this case, the driver's insurance may be responsible for any damages and injuries resulting from an accident. Additionally, the policyholder will generally not be held liable for any damages caused by the unauthorised use of their vehicle.

It's worth noting that the terms "permissive" and "non-permissive" are also used to describe different types of environments when discussing the concealed carry of firearms. In this context, a permissive environment is one where firearms are permitted and there are no or very low penalties for their discovery. A non-permissive environment, on the other hand, is one where the carriage of firearms is prohibited and the consequences for their discovery are life-altering, such as imprisonment or the loss of the future ability to own a firearm.

Frequently asked questions