Before handing over your car keys to somebody,, take a moment to consider your car insurance. You say to yourself, “Who can drive my vehicle and be covered?” The majority of the time, anybody who has a license may legally drive your vehicle and be covered by your auto insurance. However, one typical and maybe unexpected exception is your own household members: Folks who live with you typically should be listed on the policy and paid for and covered that way, and not as one-off drivers.

This works both ways – assuming your friends are not illegally driving around without auto insurance, you’re covered by their policies while driving their automobiles. However, some policies have limitations on how consistently a not-your-vehicle is available for your use. If you routinely use another individual’s vehicle – let’s say, as a babysitter, carpool driver, etc. – your friend’s provider might require that you be added like you are a household member.

In addition, if you do not have an automobile, yet you only periodically drive friends’ vehicles or rental vehicles, you do not have to go and purchase auto insurance. Yeah, we’re an insurance site telling you not to purchase insurance, in this event.

 What do you do if something happens?

Worst case scenario, you’re at fault in an accident when driving somebody else’s vehicle. As aforementioned, if you should’ve been considered a member of a policyholder’s household, their insurance provider might not pay. If you’re a one-off driver, their auto insurer probably will cover the damages. Within some situations, you must be found to be legally at fault for the damages before they do so – it might mean you will be fronting the funds out of pocket and being reimbursed. Your own auto insurer probably will just need to pay if you exceed an owner’s auto insurance policy’s limit.

What if you receive a speeding ticket when driving somebody else’s vehicle? Tickets follow a license-holder, and not the car. This may make your insurance rates rise; however, the individual whose vehicle you are in will not suffer.

For more information about our auto insurance in Doylestown, PA, contact Steely & Smith Insurance at (215) 345-9410.