Sometimes teenagers play musical cars. It’s generally legal for friends to borrow each other’s cars so long as they have a valid driver’s license. While a friend driving your teen’s car may not be a huge deal, accidents can happen.
What Happens If Your Kid’s Friend Wrecks the Car?
The good news is that your insurance policy will typically extend to someone who’s been granted permission to drive the insured car. So long as the vehicle is insured, whoever drives it should be covered. If someone steals the vehicle, your insurance will typically cover any damage they cause, as most auto insurance policies also cover theft. There are exceptions, however. Car insurance may not step in if your child’s friend
- Wasn’t given permission to drive the vehicle. If your child can prove their friend took the vehicle without permission, the friend (or their parents) may be held liable for any damages or injuries they caused while driving the vehicle.
- Was listed as an exclusion. You may list certain people as “excluded drivers” on an insurance policy. If an excluded driver operates the vehicle, your insurance won’t cover the damage they cause.
- Drove under the influence. If the friend operated the vehicle while under the influence without permission, they are liable for the damages. If your child gave the influenced friend permission to drive the vehicle, your insurance may not cover them.
- Doesn’t have a driver’s license. Having no license or an invalid license may mean your insurance won’t cover them, especially if your child gave the unlicensed driver permission to drive their vehicle.
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up if Someone Else Crashes My Kid’s Car?
If someone wrecks a vehicle listed on your insurance policy—no matter who wrecked it—your insurance rates are likely to rise. While the incident likely won’t go on your or your child’s driving record, the accident itself costs the insurance company money which in turn boosts your rates.
Advise your teen to consider the following before letting a friend borrow their car.
- Is this person trustworthy?
- Is this person a good driver?
- Does this person have a valid driver’s license?
- Is this person under the influence?
Having a teenager on your Boise auto insurance policy is expensive as it is. Make sure your child knows the risks of letting friends borrow their car before handing over the keys.
FAQ’s About What Happens When My Kid’s Friend Drives Their Car?
Can my child’s friend legally drive our family car?
As long as your child’s friend has a valid driver’s license and your permission to drive the car, it is legal for them to operate the vehicle. However, you should check your insurance policy to ensure that occasional drivers are covered.
Will my auto insurance cover my child’s friend if they have an accident while driving our car?
In most cases, auto insurance policies cover occasional drivers, which means that if your child’s friend is driving with your consent and has a valid license, your insurance should cover them. However, coverage details can vary, so it’s important to verify with your insurance provider.
What should I do before allowing my child’s friend to drive our car?
Before allowing your child’s friend to drive your car, ensure they have a valid driver’s license, and are responsible and experienced drivers. Also, double-check your insurance policy to confirm that occasional drivers are covered and inform your insurance provider if necessary.
How does adding a non-family member to my insurance policy affect my rates?
Adding a non-family member as an occasional driver to your insurance policy may affect your rates depending on their driving record, age, and other factors. It’s best to consult with your insurance provider to understand the potential impact on your premiums.
What happens if my child’s friend gets a ticket while driving our car?
If your child’s friend receives a ticket while driving your car, it will typically be their responsibility to pay the fine. However, the ticket may also affect your insurance rates if the violation is reported to your insurance company.
Are there any restrictions on my child’s friend driving our car under our insurance policy?
Insurance policies may have specific restrictions on who can drive your car, such as age limits or exclusions for certain individuals. Always review your policy’s terms or speak with your insurance agent to understand any applicable restrictions.
What if my child’s friend is involved in a hit-and-run while driving our car?
In the event of a hit-and-run, your insurance policy may cover the damages to your vehicle if you have collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage coverage. However, the incident should be reported to the police and your insurance company immediately.
What if my child’s friend is involved in a hit-and-run while driving our car?
If your child’s friend is involved in a hit-and-run while driving your car, it’s important to report the incident to the police immediately and then notify your insurance company. Your coverage for such an incident depends on the specifics of your policy, including whether you have uninsured motorist coverage or collision coverage.
Does my child’s friend need to have their own insurance to drive our car?
While it’s not mandatory for your child’s friend to have their own insurance to drive your car, it can provide additional coverage in the event of an accident. Your insurance would typically be the primary coverage, and their insurance could serve as secondary coverage if the costs exceed your policy limits.
What steps should I take after my child’s friend has been in an accident with our car?
If your child’s friend is involved in an accident with your car, they should follow the standard procedure for any car accident: ensure everyone’s safety, call the police, exchange information with the other party, and document the scene. Afterwards, the incident should be reported to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Legal implications if your child drives without permission and has an accident
If your child takes your vehicle without consent and is involved in a collision, it can lead to several legal consequences. We must consider the specifics of the law in the relevant jurisdiction, but generally, the vehicle owner may not always be held liable if they can prove the car was used without permission.
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- Insurance Coverage: Your insurance policy may have stipulations concerning unauthorized use. If such an event occurs, insurance coverage for damages could be affected.
- Liability: Should the vehicle have been taken without knowledge or consent, and one can provide evidence of this, liability may fall on the child or their insurance if they have a separate policy.
- Police Report: Filing a police report stating that the vehicle was used without your consent is important, as it documents the unauthorized use.
- Legal Responsibility: Despite the act being without consent, parents could still face legal scrutiny, depending on local laws governing the responsibility of vehicle ownership and control.
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