Car insurance usually is covered by the vehicle that is involved in the accident. For example, if you allow another person to drive your vehicle and they cause an accident, the car owner’s insurance will be responsible to cover any claims for injuries or property damage that are caused by the driver you authorized to drive your vehicle.

Property Damage Coverage

Damage to your vehicle and any additional property damage will be covered by your insurance under Collision and Comprehensive policy limits, no matter if the driver is at fault for the accident and irrespective of who is driving the vehicle, if the driver is authorized.  

Med Pay Coverage

In Connecticut, in the case of an injury resulting from another driver operating your vehicle, if you purchased what is called Med Pay coverage on your policy, it provided coverage for medical treatment for any authorized drivers or occupants of the owner’s vehicle, who sustained injuries, irrespective of fault. Med Pay is also referred to as no fault benefits.  

Be Responsible when Loaning Your Vehicle

You take on a lot of risk when allowing another driver to borrow your vehicle. Most importantly you need to be sure they are currently licensed, and a responsible driver. If not, do yourself a favor and decline the request and offer to get them a driving service to take them where they need to go.

At all time you need to be aware that YOU will be the one held responsible if an accident occurs while they are operating your vehicle. There is not just the risk of an accident to be concerned with:

• Their Speeding tickets and toll violations could increase your insurance costs
• A charge of DUI or DWI puts you in the position of having to answer some difficult questions pertaining to allowing them to drive your vehicle. Do they have a history of substance abuse that you were aware of?  Did you allow them to possibly stop at a location where they could have had the opportunity to consume too much alcohol?
• Distracted drivers are more likely to cause an accident with injuries.  Before lending your vehicle be sure that you lay down the rules of no texting and driving, etc. There are other distractions also to concern you with such as eating while driving or driving with others in the vehicle that could be distracting.

Your vehicle is probably one of the most important purchases you make. The costs to register, insure, and maintain the vehicle you probably take very seriously. Many times the person asking to borrow your vehicle may not be as concerned as you are about these things. If you are in need of your car as a daily driver can you afford not having your car available as it sits in a shop getting repairs? We encourage you to think twice before allowing another driver to place you so much at risk.

When an accident is caused by a reckless, drunk or distracted driver, they may be able to collect double, treble or punitive damages. If they are injured by an uninsured/underinsured driver or if they do not have health insurance, they will still be able to pursue a claim under applicable law in Connecticut. Regardless of the nature of the vehicle accident, it is important that you speak with an attorney about the accident as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation, please call 203.755.00