What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident? This is a question people tend to ask a lot. We hear people ask questions like, what happens if someone who isn’t on your insurance crashes your car? We have also heard statements like my car was involved in an accident, but I wasn’t driving.
These questions are generally born out of curiosity regarding what happens after a car accident occurs and someone else is on the wheel.
Suppose you have the same question. Great! You are just steps away from getting answers to your questions. Let’s ride on!
Is It Wise To Give Your Car To Someone To Drive?
If you give your car to someone and an accident happens, your insurance policy would cover the damage.
If you didn’t give your car to someone else, you wouldn’t be asking questions like what happens if someone else Is driving my car and gets in an accident?
In light of what happens after an accident, allowing someone else to drive your vehicle is fundamentally a bad idea.
You can also read: Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive In 2022?
What Happens After An Accident?
Notwithstanding seeking safety and possibly treatment after an accident, there is still aftermath of the entire experience.
Let’s delve into the detail of what happens after an accident.
When a mishap occurs, you must first ensure to get to safety. Then go ahead and contact law enforcement and paramedics. Get as much information as possible about the accident scene to inform your agent or insurance company.
Now the question is, who is at fault?
If you are not at fault, you can file a claim with the insurance company of the driver who is at fault. If you are the one at fault, then the reverse is the case.
This is what happens after an accident.
What happens if someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident? Let’s continue to find out more.
Who Is Culpable When Someone Else Is Driving Your Car And Gets Into An Accident?
Under Georgia Code §51-1-6, the person who causes a car accident is liable for all harms, including injury costs and property defacement.
Your car insurance coverage usually applies to your vehicle more than you as the car owner. Therefore, the regular rules of liability typically apply.
If someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident, if another person caused the accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance takes up the damage cost.
However, if your car’s driver is at fault, your car insurance will cover damages.
If you gave the driver permission to use your car, your insurance coverage would extend to the driver. This implies that your liability coverage will serve as the primary coverage. It will pay for the incurred damages. If it runs out, the driver’s insurer takes over as a backup and will cover any remaining damages.
On the other hand, is the non-permissive use.
For instance,
- A family member or friend driving your car without permission
- Or your car was stolen.
The driver will be responsible for any form of damage as a result of a mishap.
It is essential to have clarity in terms of the difference between a thief stealing your car and a friend “borrowing”. Although, there are exceptions in some states. In a case where you didn’t take steps to prevent a thief from stealing your car, you may still be held responsible.
For instance, in California, you can be liable if you left the keys in the ignition before the robbery. Insurers, courts, and plaintiffs are generally skeptical of the claim that a driver didn’t grant permission to a friend or family member. Consent presume that you gave permission.
You can also read: How To Pay For Car Repairs With No Money In 2022: 5 Possible Ways.
What Does Car Insurance Policy Cover When An Accident Happens?
Car insurance covers you when you cause property damage or injuries to someone else in a car accident. It is called Liability insurance and covers legal costs if you are sued In court for a car accident.
You must choose your policy limits when purchasing liability car insurance from a car insurance company. They often appear as limits written in a series of three numbers. For instance, you may see it written as 30/50/20. Which means:
$30,000 of bodily injury or death coverage for one person per accident
$50,000 of bodily injury or death coverage to more than one person per accident
$20,000 of property damage coverage per accident.
This limit determines what happens if someone who isn’t on your insurance crashes your car.
Ride on to learn more about what happens if someone else Is driving your car, gets in an accident, and has an insurance policy.
What if the Person Driving Your Car Has Their Insurance Policy?
What happens if someone who isn’t on your insurance crashes your car and has an insurance policy?
A car insurance policy usually follows the car, not the driver. So, if someone borrows your car and gets into an accident, your car insurance is primarily for anything that might happen to your vehicle or the driver during that time.
Essentially, their insurance wouldn’t pay for the damage if someone struck your car in an accident.
Your insurance covers the accident as long as the person has a driving license and doesn’t regularly borrow your car.
Although, the person’s insurance will be considered secondary coverage if your insurance limits are used up or the damage bills exceed your policy amounts.
Insurance policies differ in this regard. Some car insurance policies do not apply to other drivers and family members unless the policy explicitly lists those drivers. These car insurance policies are often very cheap.
The reason why they’re so cheap is that they exempt everyone except the main driver or offer only limited coverage for other drivers.
This is What happens if someone who isn’t on your insurance crashes your car and has an insurance policy.
Conclusion
What happens if someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident is almost the same as when you get in a car accident with your vehicle. Your Insurance policy caters for the damages incurred if the person driving your car is at fault.
FAQs
Your Coverage Should Cover Your Vehicle’s Damage
Your collision and comprehensive insurance would cover any damage to your car. This optional coverage does not care that you were not driving at the time of the crash. However, the claim will be filed on your policy, not your friend’s insurance.
The car owner may be charged. If you’ve caused damage to another vehicle or property, the other driver may take legal action to recover damages.
A standard auto insurance policy applies to the car, not the driver. If someone other than the car’s owner, or the person named on the policy, borrows the car and is involved in a car mishap, in most cases, insurance will pay for damages.
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Reference
johnfoy.com/faqs/what-happens-if-someone-else-is-driving-my-car-and-gets-in-an-accident/
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/friend-crashes-car/
