{"id":353015,"date":"2016-11-04T14:31:21","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T19:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/borrowed-car-accidents-who-pays.html"},"modified":"2025-09-30T15:54:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T20:54:28","slug":"borrowed-car-accidents-who-pays","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/borrowed-car-accidents-who-pays.html","title":{"rendered":"Borrowed Car Accidents: Who Pays?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Borrowed Car Accidents: Who Pays? <\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Liability in a borrowed <\/span>car<\/span> accident<\/span> primarily falls on the vehicle owner\u2019s auto <\/span>insurance<\/span> policy<\/span>. In general, insurance coverage<\/span> follows the vehicle, not the driver, provided the owner gave the driver permission to use it.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Getting a driver\u2019s license<\/span> can open up an entirely new world, even if you have to borrow someone else\u2019s car until you buy your own. Maybe you have friends who lean on you to help cover their transportation needs. Either way, when someone borrows your motor vehicle<\/span>, it\u2019s normal to worry about them getting into a car accident<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite that fear, people lend their cars, trucks, and SUVs to their friends and family all the time. Auto <\/span>insurance<\/span> coverage<\/span><\/a> shouldn\u2019t matter because the person driving their car won\u2019t get into a car crash<\/span>, right? What happens if your worst fear comes true and they do get into an auto accident<\/span>? Who pays for the damages sustained by the accident victims?<\/p>\n

This article examines what happens when someone gets into a motor vehicle<\/span> accident in a borrowed car<\/span>. It also explains whether your car <\/span>insurance<\/span> company<\/span> will cover the victims\u2019 injuries and financial losses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If someone borrowed your vehicle and got into an automobile accident, contact a personal <\/span>injury<\/span> lawyer<\/span><\/a>. They\u2019ll explain your legal rights and advise you on how best to proceed.<\/p>\n

Car Insurance<\/span> Follows the Car, Not the Driver<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a common misconception that car insurance<\/span><\/a> follows the driver. In fact, the opposite is true. As long as the person who owns the vehicle has coverage, anybody who drives it will have coverage as well.<\/p>\n

If the person driving the car gets into an accident, the owner\u2019s car insurance<\/span> will offer primary coverage<\/span>. Should the owner\u2019s <\/span>insurance <\/span>policy<\/span> limits<\/span><\/a> not cover the accident victims\u2019 damages, the driver\u2019s insurance<\/span> would be secondary coverage<\/span>.<\/p>\n

State law dictates how auto insurance<\/span> works. Check with your jurisdiction\u2019s Department of Insurance to learn more about filing a car <\/span>accident<\/span> claim<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Excluded Drivers<\/span><\/h3>\n

While insurance typically follows the vehicle, there are a handful of scenarios in which the owner of the vehicle<\/span> may not be liable for damages<\/a> caused by the driver of a borrowed vehicle<\/span>.<\/p>\n

These situations include:<\/p>\n