What is the legality of teaching an uninsured person how to drive?

Question

I have a friend who grew up in the city and I want to help her build up driving confidence. She has a license but essentially she just took a crash driving course and never really had any highway experience. She does not have a car and so obviously she is uninsured. I am insured but I want to know if it is okay to let her practice on my car while I am sitting besides her. Any ideas? This is for California, by the way.

Thanks for everyone's kind responses. My friend *has* been trained in driving school--that's how she got her license. She took a week of lessons and she got her license on the first try. She wanted me to help her because her driver instructor was not very thorough nor patient. He taught her only enough to pass the driving test. I am trying to teach her some defensive driving skills so she can someday handle driving with different highway or weather conditions. Any ideas would be really appreciated too. Thanks!

Answer 1

The insurance on your car will cover her while she's driving.

Insurance is on the vehicle, NOT the driver. You have to list all members of your household who are of driving age but that's only for determining insurance rates.

You could let her drive the car by herself if you wanted. She'd still be insured.

Since you're going to have an inexperienced driver operating your car, it might be a good idea to bump up the liability limits just in case.

Answer 2

I can only answer for Missouri. Insurance follows the vehicle. When you loan your car, you loan your liability limits. But keep in mind,,If your friend has an accident, your policy is the one surcharged. If they have a serious accident, and there was a lawsuit, the insurance is the first gone after, then driver, then registered owner of the vehicle. I suggest you either up your liability limits, OR suggest your friend buys a "non owner" insurance policy. This will accomplish two things...if your liability is exhausted because of a huge liability claim, there is a back up. Also, prior insurance is a good discount when someone buys a policy. This would give your friend an additional discount when they do get licensed, and need to insure their own vehicle. I suggest you call your agent, hopefully you have a local person, and discuss this, and let them give you the answers for your specific company and state. PS...We don't bite. LOL... Hard..We would prefer to guide you thru making wise decisions...

Answer 3

Save yourself from the potential problems of either having some minor accident (yes, it's covered, but the chances are you have a $500 deductible on the policy which would come out of your pocket) or losing a friend over the tension it would create even if there was no accident.

If the driving school didn't meet her needs, find another one that will take the time to do it professionally.

As always, my opinion only. Your mileage may vary.

Answer 4

The best way for her to build up her confidence and to become a good driver is to let her be trained by a professional driving teacher.

If you figure the cost of a deductible if she has a small accident, it will buy several hours of lessons. Pay for a professional instructor.

My son went from none driver, to passing his road test in a total of 10 hours of professional lessons. He is an excellent driver and it was worth every penny.

Answer 5

All the above feedback is great. Let me add one more thing for consideration.

My adult daughter is currently living out of the country. She has a Calif driver's license but never insured before in the U.S. My insurance company is Farmers. Daughter came for a one month visit and I called my insurance agent about her driving my car. He added her to my insurance for the one-month of her stay and it did cost a nominal additional amount. So before you automatically presume your insurance will cover her without anything more to do, you might call your agent and run it past him. Best to double check than risk the liability hit if you err and an accident happens.

Answer 6

You'll be fine. Unless your policy specifies that the insurance is only for YOU. (never heard of this being the case, except for folks who have a lic, but no car. They'll keep a simple policy covering them for whatever. Is mostly to keep their rate from goin up when they do get a car). "Mandatory Insurance" refers to the vehicle being insured, rather than the driver.

Answer 7

Your covered. As far as teaching her try driving on the highways during less busy times. I personally liked to drive at night when I was learning because there was less cars on the roads and the headlights from other cars on either side helped me learn where my blind spots were. (If I could see the lights on the roadway but not in my mirror I knew they were there but in my blind spot)