At Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA, we get this question more often than you might think. A friend borrows your car, a family member runs a quick errand, and then the next call you get isn’t a good one. Knowing how your auto insurance handles this kind of situation before it happens can save you a lot of stress and confusion later.
Your Insurance Typically Follows the Car
In most cases, your auto insurance policy is what covers damage when someone else drives your vehicle with your permission. That means your liability and collision coverage generally takes precedence over the other driver’s policy. If that driver carries their own insurance, it may step in as secondary coverage, but your policy typically handles the claim first. This is how coverage works under most standard policies in most states.
What About Your Deductible and Rates?
Here’s where things can feel less than fair. Even if you weren’t behind the wheel, you may still be responsible for your deductible when the claim is filed. Your rates could also increase afterward, depending on how your insurer treats at-fault accidents. It’s not always an intuitive outcome, but it’s how most policies are structured, which is exactly why it matters who you hand your keys to.
Getting blindsided after an accident is one of the worst feelings, especially when you weren’t even driving. The details of your specific policy matter more than most people realize. Reach out to Toney Insurance Services in Snellville, GA, today, and make sure your coverage is set up to protect you no matter who’s behind the wheel.
