Questions About Insurance Coverage While Driving a Friend’s Car
I’m traveling across the country this weekend with a friend and was initially planning to rent a car from Hertz, along with their insurance. However, my friend’s uncle has offered us his car instead. I’m curious about how the insurance would work in this situation. Would his insurance cover his car and any third-party liability (like damage to other people’s property or vehicles) if I were the one driving?
If his policy doesn’t cover me, would it be wise for me to purchase temporary insurance? Or does his insurance plan allow for ‘permissive use,’ meaning I would be covered as if the car owner were behind the wheel?
Just trying to make sure I’m protected in case something goes wrong.
P.S.: I don’t own a car, so I don’t have my own auto insurance.
When it comes to driving someone else’s car, the insurance situation can often be a bit complex. Here are a few key points to consider:
Permissive Use: In general, most personal auto insurance policies will cover permissive use. This means that if your friend’s uncle allows you to drive his car, his insurance policy should typically cover you for liability, assuming he has a standard personal auto policy and the car is not being used for commercial purposes. However, it’s always best to confirm this directly with his insurance provider, as policies and coverage can vary.
Liability Coverage: If you were to accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property or harm someone while driving your friend’s uncle’s car, his insurance would likely cover the third-party liability, but that will depend on the specifics of his policy.
Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: While his liability coverage might protect against damage to others, it may not cover damage to the car itself if you were involved in an accident. It’s suggested he checks to see if his policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage for situations involving drivers not listed on the policy.
Your Own Coverage: Since you don’t have an auto insurance policy, you might want to consider getting a non-owner car insurance policy, which provides liability coverage when driving a car you don’t own. This can afford some added protections.
Rental Car Insurance: If you decide to go ahead with the rental option, you can rely on the coverage provided by the rental company. This would typically include liability coverage, and you can also purchase additional coverage for peace of mind.
It’s always best to have clear communication with your friend’s uncle and review the insurance policy details. If you’re still uncertain, you might want to reach out to an insurance agent for tailored advice regarding your situation. Safe travels!