One of the questions we are often asked is, “Who is insured to drive my car?” A permissive user would be a third party to whom you give permission to use your car, such as a co-worker. Auto policies are not equal, and you should be aware that some
auto insurance coverage may limit permissive users. The hidden danger occurs when the person you permitted to use your car then allows another person to use the car without your knowledge.
Just who is covered to drive your vehicle?
The driver must either be specifically listed by name on the
automobile insurance policy, listed by category on the policy (i.e., household member), or fall under the category of a permissive user. Again, a permissive user is someone to whom you give permission to drive your vehicle. Some examples might be:
- A family member not living in the household
- A Mechanic
- Your Neighbor
- Someone who is test driving the vehicle prior to purchase
The issue comes into play when someone to whom you give permission to use the car, in turn allows another person to use the car (see above example). In most cases, that person is not permitted to drive and coverage could be reduced or limited in the event of an accident. It is possible that if your friend borrows your car and gets into an accident, your friend’s insurance policy might cover some of the damages, but that is not guaranteed either.
