Generally, you can drive someone else’s car if you have their permission, you’re not using the vehicle for business purposes, and you’re not listed as an excluded driver on their auto insurance policy However, specific permissions and coverages can vary by state and provider.
It’s usually legal to drive someone else’s car
Most drivers who aren’t listed on a car insurance policy can still use a vehicle as long as they have the owner’s permission. This is known as “permissive use.”
Put simply, permissive use assumes that whomever is behind the wheel of a motor vehicle has permission to be there. It also protects car owners in case the person driving their car absolutely does not have permission—for example if your vehicle is stolen or someone takes your car without your consent, it’s considered non-permissive use, and you will not be held liable for any damages they cause if they’re in an auto accident.
There are two ways to obtain permission to drive someone else’s car:
- Express permission: This occurs when the owner of the car gives you direct, clear consent to use their vehicle, such as by handing you the keys.
- Implied permission: This occurs when you assume you’re allowed to drive someone’s car, perhaps because you’ve been allowed to in the past.
Keep in mind: Policies and state laws vary, so be sure the vehicle owner checks their auto insurance coverage details regarding permissive use before you drive away in their car.
But it’s not always legal to drive someone else’s car
If any of the following situations apply, you may not be insured and it might even be illegal to drive another person’s car. Here are a few reasons a driver may not be covered by a car owner’s policy:
- They’re listed as an excluded driver on your policy. You may exclude a driver from your auto insurance policy because they don’t have a license or because they have violations on their driving record.
- They are not a licensed driver. If an unlicensed driver borrows your car and gets into an accident, your car insurance may not cover the damages.
- They don’t have your permission to drive. If someone steals your car (or borrows it without either express or implied permission) and they crash, your car insurance policy may not cover the damages that they’re responsible for. That said, if you have comprehensive coverage, your own vehicle will be covered from damages due to theft or vandalism.
- They’re under the influence. Your insurance provider may deny coverage if someone crashes your car while they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- They should have been listed on your policy and weren’t. In some states, you’re required to add any relatives who live with you to your car insurance policy. You may also be required to add someone to your policy if they drive your car regularly.
- They paid to use your car. If you use a car-sharing service like Turo where you rent your car to other people, your insurance coverage likely won’t apply. You would need a peer-to-peer rental car policy, which you can typically purchase from the company you rent your car through.
- They work for you. Your car insurance policy may exclude household employees who use your car as part of their job, like if your nanny picks up your kids from school.
- They’re using your car for business purposes. Business use is a standard exclusion on most car insurance policies. If you or someone else will be using your car for work, including using your vehicle for ride-sharing or most delivery services, you likely need a separate commercial car insurance policy.
Learn more: Can I insure someone else’s car?
Do you need car insurance to drive someone else’s car?
If you have permission to drive a car and you get into a car accident, the car owner’s insurance will act as the primary insurance policy for any damages that you caused.1 That means it will pay out first, and any other applicable policies (like your own car insurance) will be considered excess or secondary coverage, paying for damages that exceed the owner’s policy limits.
Here’s what the car owner’s car insurance policy should cover.
- Liability insurance: The owner’s state-mandated liability coverage should pay for property damage and personal injury claims filed by the other driver up to the owner’s policy limits.
- Collision insurance: Collision coverage is optional, but if the owner has added it to their policy, it will pay to repair or replace their car after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. A deductible will typically apply.
There are a few types of coverage that may not apply to unlisted drivers. For instance, if the car owner has medical payments coverage (MedPay) or personal injury protection (PIP), it will typically follow them if they drive someone else’s car, but it won’t cover you when driving theirs.
Note that if your policy includes full coverage options like collision insurance and comprehensive insurance they likely won’t apply if you’re driving someone else’s car. It will all depend on the details of your policy’s coverage.
Borrowing a car as an uninsured motorist
If you’re uninsured and you borrow a car, you’ll likely still be covered by the vehicle-owner’s policy. However, any property damages or medical expenses that surpass their coverage limits will be your financial responsibility.
This can be a risky gamble for everyone involved, as the owner’s insurance will be responsible for large payouts and you will be responsible for any expenses past the owner’s coverage limits.
Driving a car when you’re not listed as a covered driver can be a tricky situation. That’s why Jerry’s experts put together everything you need to know to do it legally and safely.
EXPERT TIP:
Instead of driving a car without insurance, it’s a good idea for borrowers to invest in non-owner car insurance. This keeps drivers protected in an accident even if they don’t own their own vehicle.
Being added as a covered driver may be a better option
If you frequently borrow the same car from the same driver, you have two options: you can look into purchasing a non-owners policy, or have the main driver add you as a named driver on their policy. Here’s how much listing an additional driver on your policy may increase insurance rates:
| Number of drivers | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| One driver | $1,918 |
| Two drivers | $2,545 (+33%) |
| Three drivers | $2,687 (+44%) |
| Four drivers | $3,042 (+59%) |
Learn more: Does it cost more to add a driver to GEICO insurance?
Regularly using a car for which you’re not a listed driver could lead to complications with the owner’s insurance company—especially if you get into an accident.
That’s why most insurance providers require policyholders to include immediate family members, spouses, and other household members on their insurance policy. You can also choose to list friends, family, or anyone else who is likely to use your car.
Keep in mind, the more drivers are listed on a policy, the more that policy will cost. Jerry has gathered average costs for policies with 1-4 drivers from several top car insurance companies to help you budget.
| Provider | One driver | Two drivers | Three drivers | Four drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | $240 | $231 | $268 | $298 |
| Allstate | $210 | $223 | $267 | $286 |
| Direct Auto | $180 | $205 | $233 | $250 |
| Gainsco | $180 | $192 | $231 | $253 |
| Mercury Auto | $156 | $172 | $219 | $253 |
| National General | $191 | $213 | $252 | $277 |
| Progressive | $185 | $190 | $229 | $248 |
| State Auto | $181 | $180 | $219 | $246 |
| Travelers | $148 | $163 | $203 | $226 |
Be mindful of who you add to your policy: Adding high-risk drivers with a history of accidents, traffic violations, insurance lapses, or poor credit could increase your insurance premiums.
FAQ
- Will my car insurance go up if someone else gets into an accident in my car?
- Will my insurance cover me if I drive my friend’s car?
- Can my friend drive my car?
- Do you need insurance to drive someone else’s car?
- What happens if someone else is driving my car and causes an accident?
- What if someone borrows my car and gets in an accident that’s not their fault?
- Will my car insurance cover other drivers who don’t have a license?
Source
- https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.iii.org/article/8-auto-insurance-myths&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1711638349881058&usg=AOvVaw32tIVPDstHRBc-Yj_MUO8A ↩︎
Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details. Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
