Have you been asked by a friend to borrow your car? It happens all the time. What about the liability involved?

The good news is that if you willingly loan your car to somebody and they get into an accident with it, your auto insurance policy will likely cover the damages to your vehicle along with injuries. If your friend carries their own insurance, this greatly reduces your risk. If you find your friend is borrowing your car on a regular basis you may want to consider adding them to your auto insurance policy. If your friend does not carry their own auto insurance, you could be at risk for out-of-pocket expense if your policy limits become exhausted.

I have liability insurance, what does that cover?

If your friend is at fault in this accident, for example, your liability coverage will usually pay for injuries caused to others. Some drivers also carry collision insurance. This type of coverage will help pay for repairs to your car once you pay your deductible.

Are there exceptions to coverage?

Yes! If your friend is driving your car without your permission and is under the influence while causing the accident, your claim will most likely be denied.

Car insurance usually follows the vehicle and not the driver. You are liable for damage caused by your car. If the scenario is flipped and you are driving your friend’s car and you cause an accident, your friend’s insurance should cover the damages.

If you and your friend are taking a road trip and driving out of state, your friend can certainly drive your vehicle. The insurance coverage works the same as if you were driving in your home state. If an accident occurs out of state and your friend is driving your vehicle, your insurance will typically cover the damages. Be advised that your insurance rates may increase after the accident, and you may be liable for damages that exceed your coverage limits.

If my friend and I get into an accident and they are driving my car, what should we do?

If you are with your friend and they are driving your car when the accident occurs or they are driving solo in your vehicle without you, remind them to, if they are able, take as many photographs of the accident scene as possible, get the names of the other people involved in the accident and get their driver’s license number too. Take note of where the accident happened, they could take photos with their cell phone of the street signs nearby. If the other person drives off from the scene before you or your friend can gather their information, immediately start taking photos of their vehicle and license plate. Next, have your friend notify your insurance company immediately. Photos should be sent along with a detailed description of what happened. If your friend or you are injured, seek medical attention immediately to ensure proper treatment is given and documentation is noted. In Florida, you have 14 days to see a doctor to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Delaying treatment may make it more difficult to receive compensation for the medical appointments. Some injuries won’t show for a few days after the accident. Delayed symptoms include neck and back pain, headaches, dizziness or fatigue. Other injuries people have suffered from include internal bleeding and traumatic brain injury. Sometimes these display more than 24 hours later, so it’s important to get checked out by your dr even if you are not showing any symptoms. We encourage our clients to seek medical attention immediately following any accident so documentation can start immediately.

We encourage you to give our office a call to review your auto insurance policy and ensure you have the right coverage, especially if you have friends driving your car. If you have purchased a new vehicle or plan on purchasing one, we should review your insurance. Depending on what vehicle you buy, your auto insurance rates may drastically change. Our auto insurance office is conveniently located in Altamonte Springs Florida. We offer auto policies for drivers in Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Winter Park, Orlando and all of Central Florida. Call our office today at 407-644-9991 and let’s get together to review your policy. Your protection is our biggest concern!