As Americans, we love vehicles. We love cars, trucks and SUVs. Our vehicles are a part of our liberty. They get us where we need to be, when we need to be there.
Additionally, whether new or used, we purchase our vehicles with our hard-earned money. They are of significant value to us. As such, you shouldn’t be so carefree about allowing others to drive your vehicles.
You May Be Financially Responsible for a Wreck
When you got auto coverage, do you recall if your insurance agent asked who lived with you? Or, maybe your car insurance agent asked you, “who will be driving your vehicle?”
Both of these questions are purposeful. It’s crucial your insurance provider knows the drivers you will cover with your policy. The people who drive your cars most frequently are likely to be you and your loved ones.
However, when it comes to a friend, it’s possible your coverage may not protect you. What if a friend has an at-fault accident while driving your car? You and your insurance may still be financially responsible for the damages.
Frankly, as the party responsible for your insurance policy, you can avoid this risk in a simple way. As cruel as it may seem, you generally don't allow a friend to drive your car.
Avoid Driving Risks
Everyone drives differently. There are safe drivers who diligently observe every traffic law. Then there are risky drivers who challenge every letter of the law.
Even if your friend is a safe driver, you can’t guarantee he or she won’t encounter a risky driver while driving your car. There is always the potential to get into a wreck.
Consider the potential for damages before letting a friend borrow your car. In some cases, it is best to just say no to them driving your vehicle.
Recalibrating Your Vehicle’s Settings Isn’t Fun
There are many tech-savvy vehicles on the market today. It’s natural for drivers to use the internal settings to make the drive more comfortable.
Unfortunately, you and your friend are different. If someone else drives your car they may change the seat position, the mirror angles or other systems.
After storing your settings, allowing your friend to drive creates extra work for you. Keep your settings as you have them by denying your friend access to your driver’s seat.
Cars Are Too Finicky
Whether you have a new vehicle or a used one, your car is unique. No one knows your car like you know your car.
From the firmness of your brake pedal to the acceleration rate, every car is different. As such, your car might not respond as your friend anticipates while they are driving. They could lose control of your vehicle and collide with another vehicle. That could put you on the hook to cover the damages.
Although you may trust your friend, you shouldn’t risk your car and your insurance coverage by allowing them to drive your vehicle. Anything can happen while they are behind the wheel, even if they are driving safely. To learn more about potential risks to your auto insurance, give us a call today.
If you have questions about how other drivers are covered on your auto policy, Henrich Insurance Group is here to help. Our website contains a lot of information about coverage options. If you have further questions, call us at (713) 349-0400.