Are you taking the wheels for a spin in someone else’s car? Before you hit the road, check to make sure it has insurance. No one likes surprises and here’s why: Let’s say you get into an accident while driving an insured car that doesn’t belong to you. What happens then?
When it comes to insurance, you’d think the answer would be clear-cut. But as it turns out, the specifics of what happens when an uninsured driver drives an insured car are a bit murky (and maybe even scary). That’s why we’re here to answer all your burning questions about driving insured and offer some tips on how to stay safe on the road. Ready? Let’s take a look at what you should know when heading out in someone else’s wheels.
The Basics of Car Insurance
So, you’re heading out on a drive, but you don’t have your own car insurance. Does that mean you’re all covered if you borrow a car with insurance? Not exactly. Car insurance works on the principle of cars and drivers: each driver needs their own policy to be fully protected, and it’s important to understand the difference between an insured vehicle and an insured driver.
When a vehicle has insurance, it means that its owner or lessor has purchased coverage for any physical damage that could occur when the car is being driven. This usually covers accidental collisions and other unexpected damages that may happen while the car is in use. However, this policy doesn’t provide protection for the driver—it only covers the car itself.
In order to make sure you’re indemnified if something unfortunate happens while driving someone else’s car, you’ll want to make sure you have at least basic liability coverage in case of an accident or other incident. That way, you’ll be able to stay safe and secure no matter who’s driving!
What Happens When an Uninsured Driver Drives an Insured Car?
If you’re thinking of lending your car to an uninsured driver, it’s important to understand what happens if they get behind the wheel. Your insurance policy may provide coverage in certain situations, but the fact of the matter is that if an uninsured driver causes an accident while driving your car, chances are that you—not your insurer—will be left holding the financial bag.
When it comes to uninsured drivers and insured cars, here are a few things to remember:
- Your insurance policy doesn’t cover them. Even if you’ve added comprehensive coverage to your policy, any liability for damages caused by an accident involving an uninsured driver will fall on you.
- You are financially responsible. If someone else is driving your insured car and they do not hold valid insurance coverage, then you—not your insurer—are financially responsible for any damages resulting from an accident.
- Costs can add up quickly. Between legal fees and medical bills, costs can quickly add up if there’s a serious accident involving a person without insurance—even if they’re driving a vehicle that is insured.
The Risks Involved When Letting an Uninsured Driver Drive Your Car
You might be wondering, what risks do I run when allowing an uninsured driver to use my car?
Uninsured drivers pose a lot of risks to you and your car. Even if you have comprehensive auto insurance and comprehensive coverage, there’s still a chance that you could be held liable for damages and medical expenses if the uninsured driver gets in an accident while driving your car. This is because most policies don’t cover collisions caused by an uninsured driver, even if they were driving your vehicle with your permission.
Legal Risks
It’s also important to note that in some states, if an uninsured driver causes an accident while driving your car, both you and the other driver could potentially face legal action due to negligence on the part of the owner (you). In addition, potential criminal charges can be brought against drivers without insurance for the crime of “driving without insurance” in certain states.
Financial Risks
Furthermore, financial risks might occur if there are any damages to either cars or persons due to the accident. You, as the owner of the vehicle, may be held responsible for covering all or part of those costs not covered by insurance—including medical bills and property damage—if it turns out that your guest is not insured.
It’s always wise to check with your insurer before letting someone without insurance use your car. That way, you can know exactly what’s covered—and more importantly—what isn’t covered.
What Are the Legal Implications of Driving an Insured Car With an Uninsured Driver?
You may be wondering, “What happens if an uninsured driver drives an insured car?”
The legal implications are largely dependent on the insurance company’s terms and conditions. Generally speaking, any damage or injury claims resulting from the accident will likely fall under the responsibility of the car owner. So if you lend your car to a friend or family member and they get in an accident, you will likely be held financially responsible for any damage or injury that’s incurred.
Your insurance company might even deny coverage because, if the driver was not listed on your policy, they aren’t considered an “insured person” according to the insurance company’s definitions. However, some states have passed laws that require insurers to cover certain accidents regardless of who is driving.
It’s important to note that if another driver gets into an accident with you when driving your car – even if you weren’t in the vehicle at time – it will still be considered a fault of yours according to most state laws and will count against your record for years to come. As such, it’s best not to take any risks and keep yourself informed about all applicable laws before lending out your vehicle.
What to Do if You Have Allowed an Uninsured Driver to Drive Your Insured Car
If you are the insured and you have allowed an uninsured driver to get behind the wheel of your car, things may not be as bad as they seem. There are a few steps you can take to address the situation and protect yourself.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company and let them know what has happened. While there is a chance that your coverage will still exist even if an uninsured driver has been behind the wheel, it is best to check with your company to be sure.
Notify The Driver
Once you have contacted your insurance company, it is important to also notify the driver of your vehicle that they do not have insurance coverage if they were driving your car. This will ensure that they don’t assume that they have any sort of protection.
Examine Your Coverage Options
If it turns out that your policy does not cover an uninsured driver operating your vehicle, then it’s time to look into other coverage options. A personal umbrella policy may come in handy here, and there are also options like non-owners auto insurance policies which can provide coverage in these situations.
Tips for Protecting Your Car Insurance Coverage
If you’re worried about what will happen if an uninsured driver drives your insured car, then there are few tips you can use to protect your car insurance coverage.
Make sure everyone in your household is insured
The best way to protect your car insurance coverage is to make sure that anyone in your household who will be driving has their own insurance coverage. Not only will it cover their health and property damage if they hurt someone, it also often provides liability coverage if they’re at fault in an accident while driving an insured vehicle.
Don’t lend the car without permission
If someone asks to borrow your car, it’s always a good idea to double check with your insurer first, as not all insurers allow drivers other than the named policyholder behind the wheel.
Limit access
It’s also wise to keep car keys away from friends or family who are not drivers on the policy. That way, you can ensure that only those drivers who have been approved by the insurer are behind the wheel of your vehicle.
By following these simple steps and making sure that everyone in your home is properly insured, you can help protect yourself and ensure that you have proper liability coverage if an uninsured driver drives one of your insured vehicles.
Conclusion
In short, being in an accident with an uninsured driver driving an insured car can be a tricky situation. To protect yourself and your finances, it’s important to understand the rules about insurance that apply to you and the other driver, depending on the state you’re in and the kind of insurance you have. Additionally, it’s important to know your rights, and the steps you need to take when in an accident, regardless of the driver’s insurance status.
Of course, no matter who’s at fault, it’s always best to drive responsibly and defensively to lessen the chances of being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.