Does your insurance cover you driving someone elses car

Wondering if you're insured when you borrow a car or lend yours to someone? Generally, both the borrower's insurance and the vehicle owner's insurance may apply in the event of an accident, but whose insurance applies and to what degree will vary based on the details of the accident and the language of each person's insurance policy. Take our quick quiz to see if and how you're covered when you're borrowing or lending out a vehicle.

Let's get started!

Are you driving someone else’s car OR is someone else driving your car?

Are you on their auto insurance policy?

(Most common if you live with them and are related)

Is this person on your auto insurance policy?

(Most common if you live with them and are related)

Do you have auto insurance?

Does this person have auto insurance?

Do you have auto insurance?

Does this person have auto insurance?

Do you both have auto insurance?

Do you both have auto insurance?

You're covered

Because you're listed on their policy, you officially have car insurance. Whatever coverages they selected apply to you (both for damages to their car and injuries/damages you cause if you hit someone else).

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact their insurance company to file a claim.

You both have separate insurance policies

Chances are, you're covered. But, which company will actually handle the claim and send payment for damages can vary based on the accident, damages, who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, then it's best to contact both insurance companies to simply discuss the details of the accident. Then you'll know whose insurance applies and which company to file the claim with.

They have insurance, but you do not

There's not a straightforward answer, as this depends on if the car owner has permitted you to drive their car, the accident, damages, and who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact the car owner's insurance company to see how you're covered and file a claim.

You have insurance, but the car owner does not

As long as you have permission to drive this car, then you should be covered. Your policy extends to this car and covers you the same way as if you were driving your car. Damages you cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If you have collision, damages to the car are covered. Collision is an optional coverage, but most drivers do add it.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact your insurance company to file a claim.

See more on what collision insurance covers.

No one has insurance

If you're not at fault in the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance should cover your damages. If you are at fault, then you're not covered and neither is the borrowee's car.

Next up: Get an auto insurance quote online, and get covered for future accidents.

You both have separate insurance policies

Chances are, you're covered. But, which company will actually handle the claim and send payment for damages can vary based on the accident, damages, who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, then it's best to contact both insurance companies to simply discuss the details of the accident. Then you'll know whose insurance applies and which company to file the claim with.

You have insurance, but the car owner does not

As long as you have permission to drive this car, then you should be covered. Your policy extends to this car and covers you the same way as if you were driving your car. Damages you cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If you have collision, damages to the car are covered. Collision is an optional coverage, but most drivers do add it.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact your insurance company to file a claim.

See more on what collision insurance covers.

You don't have insurance but the car owner does

As long as you have permission to drive this car, then you should be covered. Typically, their policy extends to cover you when driving their car. Damages you cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If they have collision, damages to their car are covered. Collision is an optional coverage, but most drivers do add it.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact their insurance company to file a claim.

See more on what collision insurance covers.

No one has insurance

If you're not at fault in the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance should cover your damages. If you are at fault, then you're not covered and neither is their car.

Next up: Get an auto insurance quote online, and get covered for future accidents.

You're both covered

Because they're listed on your policy, they officially have car insurance. Whatever coverages you selected apply to them (both for damages to your car and injuries/damages they cause if they hit someone else).

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact your insurance company to see how you're covered and file a claim.

You both have separate insurance policies

Chances are, they're covered. But, which company will actually handle the claim and send payment for damages can vary based on the accident, damages, who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, then it's best to contact both insurance companies to simply discuss the details of the accident. Then you'll know whose insurance applies and which company to file the claim with.

You have insurance, but they do not

There's not a straightforward answer, as this depends on if you've given permission for the other person to drive your car, the accident, damages, and who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact your insurance company to see how you're covered and file a claim.

They have insurance, but you do not

As long as you gave them permission to drive your car, then they should be covered. Their policy extends to your car and covers them the same way as if they were driving their own car. Damages they cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If they have collision, damages to your car are covered. Collision is an optional coverage, but most drivers do add it.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact their insurance company to file a claim.

See more on what collision insurance covers.

No one has insurance

If they're not at fault in the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance company should cover the damages. But if they are at fault, then they're not covered and neither is your car.

Next up: Get an auto insurance quote online, and get covered for future accidents.

You both have separate insurance policies

Chances are, they're covered. But, which company will actually handle the claim and send payment for damages can vary based on the accident, damages, who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, then it's best to contact both insurance companies to simply discuss the details of the accident. Then you'll know whose insurance applies and which company to file the claim with.

You have insurance, but they do not

There's not a straightforward answer, as this depends on if you've given permission for the other person to drive your car, the accident, damages, and who is officially at fault, etc. Plus, coverages can vary at different insurance companies.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact your insurance company to file a claim.

They have insurance, but you do not

As long as you gave them permission to drive your car, then they should be covered. Their policy extends to your car and covers them the same way as if they were driving their own car. Damages they cause to others' cars, property, or even injuries are covered. If they have collision, damages to your car are covered. Collision is an optional coverage, but most drivers do add it.

Next up: If you'd like to receive payment for the damages, contact their insurance company to file a claim.

See more on what collision insurance covers.

No one has insurance

If they're not at fault in the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance company should cover the damages. But if they are at fault, then they're not covered and neither is your car.

Next up: Get an auto insurance quote online, and get covered for future accidents.

What happens when you let someone else drive your car?

If you allow someone else to borrow your car, it's still covered by your insurance policy. Insurers call this "permissive use." This is true even when the driver carries their own insurance. However, both your insurance policy and the driver's insurance may apply in the event of an accident. Whose insurance pays out, and in what amount, will vary based on the language of both policies and the details of the accident.

Pro tip:

If the driver frequently uses your car or lives in your household, your insurer may determine that they should've been added to your policy as a driver. In that case, it may be sufficient cause for your insurance company to deny your claim.

Can I borrow someone's car without insurance?

Uninsured drivers may be covered if they're borrowing an insured car with permission from the owner. The vehicle owner's insurance can cover damages based on the policy's coverages and limits. If the policy doesn't cover some of the damage or the damage exceeds policy limits, the driver could be held personally liable to cover any additional damages related to the accident.

Pro tip:

If you are uninsured but plan to borrow a car, you may want to consider investing in a non-owner insurance policy. This type of policy typically provides liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, but it doesn't cover physical damage to the vehicle you're driving or any injuries you may suffer in an accident.

If someone borrows my car and gets in an accident, am I liable?

In most cases, your insurance can cover the accident, but depending on your policy limits and the details of the accident, the driver's insurance policy may cover all or part of the claim. There are certain situations where your insurance policy may not cover an accident after someone borrows your car and gets into an accident, including:

• The driver borrows your car without permission: This is known as "non-permissive use." In this case, the driver's insurance may be responsible for covering the costs of damages resulting from an accident. If the driver is uninsured, they may be personally liable for the costs.
• Another driver causes the accident: If the driver of your car isn't found at fault for the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance would be responsible for the damages.

Want to learn more? Take this quiz to find out when you're covered as a driver of a borrowed vehicle and when your car insurance policy covers others who borrow your car.