Adding Non-Family Members to Greensboro Car Insurance

There may be times when someone other than a member of your family or your household needs to drive your car, but if that person does so routinely, it may be a good idea to add them to your car insurance policy. While it may be commonly believed that car insurance follows the driver named on the policy, it actually follows the vehicle for which it's written. Because of this, you could conceivably be held financially and legally liable for your car and whomever is driving it, even if you're not present.

Adding Someone Else to Your Car Insurance Policy

Adding someone to your car insurance policy is actually a simple process. You merely need to notify your insurance agent of your decision to do so and answer some simple questions such as the person's:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address and contact information
• Driver's license number

Once added to the policy, the additional driver will be covered should they be involved in an accident. They will also be authorized to make a claim on your policy and to seek damage estimates from a car repair shop in the event of an accident. Make sure they're in possession of an insurance card, which they're required by law to have while driving the car.

Who Should You Add to Your Policy?

Lending your vehicle to anyone not covered by your insurance can be risky as the owner of a vehicle is responsible for that vehicle and for damage it happens to cause. While your insurance will likely pay for a claim against your car or truck while being driven by an occasional driver, insurance companies can sometimes deny a claim if the loss is caused by an unlisted driver.

If an unlisted driver has regular access to your car, such as in the case of a roommate or domestic partner, they should be accounted for on your insurance policy. If they drive your car regularly and happen to have a wreck, your insurance company may deny the claim because the driver wasn't listed on your policy. Their position may be that allowing an individual regular access to your car and not listing them on your insurance coverage represents non-disclosure and deny the claim on that basis.

Before lending your car to anyone, double check with your insurance agent as to exactly what your policy covers. It's better to be safe than sorry.