Does Car Insurance Go With The Car Or The Person?

Do You Need Insurance?

Driving a car is a privilege, not a right. As such, states often require drivers to carry certain types of insurance to protect other drivers and pedestrians from potential harm. In most cases, you'll need to have some form of car insurance before you can legally drive. Whether you own the car you're driving or you're borrowing it from someone else, you still need to ensure that it is sufficiently insured. But does car insurance go with the car or the person?

Car Insurance and the Car

In most cases, car insurance follows the vehicle. This means that the coverage attached to the car is typically the same regardless of who is driving it. This is especially true if you're borrowing someone else's car. In this situation, the car is still covered by the owner's policy, regardless of who is driving it. This is known as "permissive use."

However, it's important to note that coverage may differ depending on who is driving the car. For example, if you're borrowing a car from someone and you have your own insurance policy, then your policy may provide additional coverage that the owner's policy does not. This is because different insurers have different coverages.

Car Insurance and the Person

When it comes to car insurance, the driver may also play a role in determining coverage. For example, if you're the owner of a car, then your car insurance policy may list you as the primary driver. This means that you are the primary beneficiary of the coverage. If you loan your car to someone else and they get into an accident, then your policy may provide coverage for the accident, depending on the type of coverage you have.

However, if you're not the owner of the car, then your own car insurance policy may not provide coverage for any accidents that occur while you're driving the car. In this case, the owner's policy may provide coverage for the accident.

Getting the Right Coverage

Whether you own the car or you're borrowing it, it's important to make sure that you have the right coverage for the car in question. Different states have different requirements for car insurance, so it's important to check with your state's insurance regulations to make sure that you have the coverage you need.

It's also important to understand the differences between the owner's coverage and your own coverage. If you're the owner, then you may have additional coverage that someone else would not have if they were driving your car. If you're borrowing a car, then it's important to understand the limits of the owner's policy so that you know what is and isn't covered.

Having the Right Conversation

Having a conversation with the owner of the car can help you understand what type of coverage is available and make sure that you have the right coverage for the car in question. It can also help you understand the limits of the owner's coverage and the extent to which you may be able to access additional coverage through your own policy.

In the end, it's important to remember that car insurance goes with the car, not the person. However, the person driving the car can still play a role in determining the type and extent of coverage available. Understanding the coverage available and having the right conversation can help you make sure that you have the coverage you need.