![]() ![]() Your ERIE agent can help you understand the ins and outs of your policy, and our award-winning claims service gives you prompt and personal attention to get back to normal. If you do have to file a claim, rest easy. Related: Whose Insurance Pays When My Friend Crashes My Car? Is her accident covered? The answer could vary based on case law in each state. Liability in these situations varies by state, so check with your ERIE agent if you have specific questions.Īnd then, there’s the question of what actually constitutes “permissive use.” For example, maybe your daughter goes off to college and lets her friend borrow a car that’s in your name – but you, as the named insured, didn’t give permission. That means you could be sued for your neighbor’s negligent actions because they were using your vehicle. “You’ll be protected within the limits of your auto policy, but there’s always a chance of something happening that exceeds them.”įor instance, if your neighbor runs a stop sign and causes significant injuries and property damage, you could be responsible for paying any amounts owed above the limits on your policy. “When you loan someone your car, you’re putting your name out there as a responsible party,” he explains. Related: What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance?Īccording to Freeman, most people don’t think about these ‘what if’ scenarios before lending their car. (Every policy is different, so ask your ERIE agent if this applies to you.) Here’s the good news: If the driver falls into one of the three categories above, and the loss is covered under the terms of your policy, your insurance can help pay for the damage – even if you weren’t the one driving.īut here’s the tricky part: Depending on the situation – and the specifics of your policy – you might get stuck paying a surcharge on your auto insurance premium for an at-fault accident, even if you weren’t the one driving at the time. Loaning your car: consider the pros and cons But just because someone is covered doesn’t mean loaning your car is risk-free. Your local ERIE agent can explain how things work in your state.Ĭhances are, anyone you let borrow your car will fall into one of these three categories. Other states may allow you to exclude a driver, but with certain restrictions. The only exception is if a driver has been specifically excluded on your policy.Ī quick note on exclusions: Depending on the state you live in, you may or may not be able to exclude a driver from your policy. If they are a regular and repeated user of the car, they should also have coverage. Someone with permissive use: If you loaned out your car to a friend or neighbor, your ERIE policy generally will cover them – as long as you gave your permission.(Related: What Insurance Do You Need When You Move in Together?) They’ll send out a short driver questionnaire and check your partner’s driving record to determine eligibility. All you have to do is call your agent and let them know. However, if you’re living with a domestic partner, they can be added to your policy as a named insured but only if your relationship is the long-term, committed type – you share domestic responsibilities and have joint financial obligations. Domestic partners: If someone lives with you but isn’t a relative, they are not named insureds under your policy.Ask your ERIE agent how to add a resident relative as a driver on your policy. So if someone is a member of your family and lives in your home, they’re automatically an insured under your policy unless you are in a state where the person has been specifically excluded on your policy. Resident relatives: Most ERIE personal auto policies provide coverage to the named insured, their spouse or domestic partner and any other resident relatives.If you’re an ERIE customer, insured drivers include: If someone else is regularly driving your car, it’s important to let your agent know. Does my car insurance cover other drivers? “But in private passenger auto insurance, the coverage typically follows the vehicle, not the driver.” “By far, the number one misconception about loaning out your vehicle is that if you let your neighbor borrow your car, an accident should go on his insurance because he was the one driving,” said Dave Freeman, vice president and regional underwriting officer at Erie Insurance.
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