Sometimes a friend or family member needs to borrow your car for a quick errand or while their car is in the shop. But what if they get in an accident while driving your car? Will your insurance cover it, or is it up to their insurance? Today in the Tolbert Beadle, LLC blog, our car accident attorney will explain how accidents work when someone else is driving your car.
How Will Coverage Work?
There are a variety of different ways insurance will handle this situation, and it all depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Firstly, if the person driving the car is unlicensed or intoxicated, and you let them use your car, you’ll be held completely liable for damages and your insurance won’t pay.
With that caveat out of the way, our car accident attorney will explain some more typical circumstances.
If It’s Not Their Fault
If your friend or family member gets in an accident, and it’s not their fault, the other driver’s insurance will cover it. You won’t be held liable for damages and your insurance will be unaffected.
If It is Their Fault
When it is their fault, things get a bit more complicated. Insurance it attached to the vehicle, so your insurance, not theirs, will have to cover the damages. This means your insurance rates will most likely go up. If the damages exceed the limits of your coverage, the friend or family member’s insurance will make up the rest.
If You Didn’t Give Permission
If your car was taken without your permission, you might not be liable. It depends on the circumstances. If it was stolen by someone you don’t know, obviously it wouldn’t be your fault.
But if a friend or family member takes it without asking, their insurance may have to pay. It can be hard to prove you didn’t give permission though, so it’s a good idea to hire a car accident attorney if this is the situation.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney at Tolbert Beadle, LLC
If you’re in an accident, or someone gets in an accident driving your vehicle, hire a car accident attorney.
We can make sure the insurance companies don’t take advantage of you. Complicated situations like these can mean you might pay more money than you need to, or not receive enough money for your damages.
Don’t let this happen to you. Contact Tolbert Beadle, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney.
