car insurance questions?

Question

Is it true that the registered owner of the car HAS to be the primary driver on the insurance application?
Also, what if my friend or someone else wants to drive my car? Are they not allowed to or are they covered under my insurance? I've heard people saying that the car is insured, not the person, so if the car is insured, then shouldn't anyone be able to drive it?

Answer 1

the registered owner doesnt have to be on the policy, but you either have to include them or exclude them. and pretty much anyone that doesn't live in your household can drive your car as long as they have a DL. they are covered if they were permitted to use your car, not if they took it without asking. the only people that cant drive your car are excluded drivers in your household

Answer 2

OK, there are some almost right answers already. The reality is the owner does not have to be a driver on the policy but they have to be the NAMED INSURED. True, the insurance follows the vehicle but someone, the owner, has to be responsible, liable, for that vehicle. This is especially true when you get physical damage coverage on the vehicle. The purpose of insurance is to help the insured get back the value of the vehicle after a claim. If you insure a vehicle that you don't own you would have no claim since you have no financial interest in the vehicle.

As for drivers being covered it depends on your policy. Different companies have different rules so you would have to refer to your policy. Some policies only cover the listed drivers while other cover any driver that is not specifically excluded.

In the end, it is not the car that is insured. The person is insured that is why they are called the INSURED. Basically, the insurance contract is requiring the insurance company to pay out damages to third parties that the insured is liable for and pay out damages to the insured for damages to the covered vehicle.

Answer 3

I tend to agree with TJM. Think about it this way. If you were an insurance company and covered anyone who drove an insured vehicle, you would go out of business quickly. Reason being, you are allowing persons to drive no matter what their past driving record is. You could be insuring 20 people to drive a vehicle. Many parents are the owners of their childrens vehicles and have the insurance in their name. This means that the registered owner does not need to be the primary driver.

Answer 4

The registered owner does not have to be the primary driver. As for someone else driving your vehicle- you need to check with your company. Some are specific and want every driver listed on the policy. Most are not like this and if you give someone permission to drive your vehicle they are covered. Insurance follows the vehicle, not the person driving. If you have a friend who drives your vehicle on a regular basis you should have them added as a driver. Call your agent to see what the rules are with your insurance company

Answer 5

It depends on the state. It is true that the car is insured, not the person, but some insurance companies may say that anyone living at the same household as the owner, or anyone under a certain age, is excluded from the guest driver policy and will not be covered unless their name is added to the policy.

Answer 6

the car insurance follows the car but all who drive the car on a regular basis need to be listed on the policy. the policy rate is affected by the driver's driving record. Cars are insured they way they are titled due to many states requiring proof of insurance before a vehicle can be registered. All licensed drivers at an address will be listed on a policy since they have access to the vehicle .