My friend borrowed my car and had an accident. Why am I liable?
It happens to everybody. A relative borrows your car because theirs is in the shop or a friend asks to borrow your car to run an errand. We have all allowed someone to use our car at some point in time. Is there any harm in it? What happens if there is an accident? Will my insurance have to pay?
When you own a vehicle, you have to make responsible decisions about things such as vehicle maintenance and repairs, but you also need to use good judgment when deciding who you allow behind the wheel of your car. Car insurance follows the car, not the driver. If you give someone permission to borrow your car, then your car insurance is the primary coverage, meaning your own insurance would have to pay if something were to happen. If the accident is not the fault of the driver of your vehicle, then your insurance will not be affected (unless the at-fault driver is uninsured). However, if the driver of your car is the one at fault, then your insurance is responsible for all damages, up to limits of your policy. Any traffic violations or tickets that the driver receives while driving your car will not have any affect your insurance, just the driver and their own license.
Sometimes it is necessary to allow other individuals to drive your car. Anything can happen and sometimes accidents are unavoidable Keep in mind though, you need to make smart decisions about who you trust with your vehicle and with your insurance.