You’ll need to know when someone else drives your car and gets in an accident. So, is it true that auto insurance covers other drivers? This is a difficult question to answer because several factors influence who and what your insurance will cover.
All car owners in Georgia are required to have insurance that matches the law’s requirements, while different policies will cover different levels of accidents. The Zox Law Firm’s experienced Atlanta automobile accident lawyers will go over all the details around whether or not insurance covers other drivers in the section below.
Contents
Does Car Insurance Cover Other Drivers?
It would be best if you first comprehended the various types of policy coverages before you can answer this question.
Georgia law mandates that your auto insurance policy be sufficient to protect you and other drivers on the road. All Atlanta drivers must obtain liability insurance covering the property damage or medical expenditures of others. Although liability insurance may be the only legal need, it does not cover your own body or vehicle.
If someone else drives your car, the following policies can help:
- Collision coverage: Collision insurance compensates for damage to your car if a deductible is met. The cost of typical car repairs can be rather high; however, this policy can save you a lot of money.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: This insurance protects you from paying for damages if an uninsured driver hits you.
- Medical bills coverage: This policy can help pay your medical bills if you or your driver causes an accident and is injured.
- Gap coverage: Gap plans can pay the cash difference if you total your car’s worth is less than the amount you still owe. When you lease or borrow an automobile, this insurance is required.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage: Comprehensive policies cover everything mentioned above, making them the best option for all drivers.
Now that you understand the various components of what vehicle insurance covers based on the policy let’s answer the fundamental question: Is it true that car insurance covers other drivers as well? Yes, in general.
Your auto insurance provider will still be liable for practically anything if a family member or acquaintance drives your car. The damage caused by the other driver will be covered by liability insurance. You can also fix your vehicle if you have collision coverage.
Remember that certain policies may only cover specific members of your family and exclude drivers who are not included.
Know More: Do I Need A Car Accident Lawyer For A Minor Accident?
Is It the Car That Is Insured or the Driver?
There’s a reason why automobile insurance is called “car” insurance rather than “driver” insurance. Many believe that auto insurance covers the policyholder, but this is not the case.
Anything that happens behind your car’s wheel is your insurance company’s responsibility. You are exempt from this rule if you are not the at-fault driver. Some, if not all, of the damages, are normally covered by the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
It’s not easy to figure out what’s wrong. Accident culpability isn’t a hard and fast rule in Georgia; it’s more like a percentage. In many circumstances, each driver will take responsibility for a portion of the accident.
If someone moves into your lane and hits your car, you may still be 30 percent at fault if you were speeding or distracted.
Your insurance will cover what happens if someone else drives your car, albeit if the accident is not their fault, the other driver’s insurance must at least partially cover the damage.
Does Auto Insurance Follow the Car or Driver?
Although exceptions may exist when you file a claim, insurance follows the automobile, not the driver.
- Policy limits: If someone else drives your car and causes an accident, your insurance will cover any at-fault damages; however, if the damages exceed your policy limits, the driver’s insurance may be required to contribute as well. In this case, your friend’s insurance company is responsible for paying the spill-over amount because the driver, not the car, is at fault.
- Reimbursement: Your insurance company may attempt to contact the driver’s coverage carrier to obtain a refund.
- Permission: If you didn’t permit the person who drove your automobile, you might be able to avoid paying for the damage or avoiding paying for it. The individual who used your automobile will most likely be liable for the damages they caused. However, you may need to file your claim if they do not have insurance.
What Happens if Someone Drives My Car Without Insurance?
The majority of people who do not own cars do not have car insurance. If an uninsured driver uses your vehicle and causes an accident, they will be responsible for any costs not covered by your insurance.
You must still claim with your insurance provider if your car is stolen without insurance. Your claim adjuster will handle the process of calculating what the driver owes.
Find a Car Accident Lawyer to Represent Your Case Today
Insurance companies typically do everything they can to pay as little as possible, which might put you in financial problems if you don’t fully comprehend the legalities behind your claim.
If another motorist causes an accident in your vehicle, you should retain the services of a car accident attorney to protect you. An experienced attorney can advise you on how to proceed with your insurance claim, so you don’t overpay.
Insurance claims are confusing enough, but when you add extra drivers to the mix, they become even more so. Answering the question “Does auto insurance cover other drivers?” has many moving pieces; if you don’t know what your policy covers, you could get into trouble.