Does car insurance cover the person or the vehicle, or is it situational?
Here’s the context: My wife needed to go somewhere while her car was being serviced, but I was at work. I suggested she use one of her parents’ three cars, but she mentioned that she wouldn’t be covered to drive them. I’m confused because I always thought that as long as I have insurance, I could drive any car with permission.
Car insurance can be a bit complex and definitely varies by state and the specific policy. Generally, it typically follows the car rather than the driver, but there are some nuances:
Permissive Use: Many insurance policies include a provision that allows drivers to operate vehicles that they do not own, as long as they have permission from the owner. This means that if you have insurance and you borrow someone else’s car with their consent, you should typically be covered.
Vehicle-Specific Coverage: In some cases, an individual may be covered to drive another car only if their own policy includes a specific clause allowing this. If your wife’s parents have a policy that does not extend coverage to drivers outside their household, then she might not be covered to drive their cars.
Liability vs. Collision Coverage: Even if you are insured, there can still be issues if the borrowed vehicle is damaged. The owner’s insurance often applies first for damages to their car, and if that coverage is exhausted, your own policy may kick in, depending on the specific terms.
Rental Car Exceptions: Some insurance policies specifically outline rules about driving cars borrowed from family or friends, and the treatment can vary when it comes to rental cars or family vehicles.
It’s always a good idea to check the specific terms of your insurance policy or directly contact the insurance company to clarify what is covered. If your wife is unsure about her coverage while driving her parents’ car, she might want to explore the option of being added to their policy as an occasional driver.