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Does Comprehensive Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver?

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Home / Car Insurance / Does Comprehensive Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver?

Does car insurance cover the car or the driver? Although most people presume that insurance automatically covers the person driving, the fact is different. In India, comprehensive car insurance generally tags along with the car, not the driver. This distinction makes a big difference in what happens to claims following accidents, theft, or damage. 

Understanding Who Is Covered: The Car or the Driver?
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A comprehensive car insurance typically follows the car and not the driver. There are a few scenarios which might confuse you and lead you to ask this question. Let us read more!

Why Does Comprehensive Insurance Follow the Car?
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Below are the two primary reasons why comprehensive insurance follows a car:

  1. Comprehensive motor insurance not only covers vehicle damage resulting from collisions but also from vandalism, natural disasters, theft, or fire.

  2. Insurance primarily protects your investment in the car itself. This means that if your car is damaged by any of the listed events in your insurance policy, the insurance will help you with the repair process and the cost of the damage to your car.

Concept of Permissive Driver
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A permissive driver is a person to whom you have given your permission to drive a car insured under your name. So, irrespective of the type of car insurance policy you have, it remains valid if anyone else is driving your car.
This validity allows you to permit your friends or family members to drive your car and have the insurance coverage protect it.

4 Factors Impacting Permissive Rule in Car Insurance
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Four factors impact permissive norms in car insurance. This person whom you are permitting to drive your car needs to:

  1. Be within the permissible limit of driving a car.

  2. Have a valid driving licence.

  3. Not driving under any kind of influence of intoxicants or alcohol.

  4. Be aware of all policy terms and conditions which might impact the car insurance driver exclusion or inclusion.

When Does a Car Insurance Policy Follow the Driver?
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There is one condition when a car insurance policy follows the driver that is, renting a car for personal use. To get this cover, you need to make sure that your insurance policy considers this as a criterion of inclusion under your coverage.

When Does a Car Insurance Policy Follow the Car?
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There are two cases when a car insurance policy follows the car:

  1. Your car insurance policy has the name of any person driving your car on its list.

  2. You have given permissive use to the driver driving your car or any other specific permission to use your vehicle.

Bottom Line
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To answer your question, does car insurance cover the car or the driver? Comprehensive insurance in India generally follows the car, not the driver. Your policy covers damages as long as the driver has valid permission. However, policy-specific clauses can impact claims.
Thus, by understanding all terms of your insurance, you can select the best insurance that covers both car and driver to ensure proper protection in any situation.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are a few frequently asked questions addressing the comprehensive insurance-related confusion:

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What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident?

If someone else is driving your car and gets in an accident, your insurance policy will cover it. A few factors govern this coverage: the driver has permissive use/is a listed permissive driver, and damage does not exceed the limits of your insurance policy coverage.

What is permissive use in car insurance?

Permissive use in car insurance refers to a situation where a person who is not listed in the car insurance policy is permitted to use the car.

If I drive someone else’s car, whose insurance pays?

Since a car insurance policy generally covers the car, the car owner's insurance will cover the car's damages.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance?

Yes, if a person has 'permissive use' to drive your car, even if they are not on your insurance list, they can do so. It is usually recommended that you put down the names of your friends or your family members who typically borrow your car. This will also help in keeping your insurance up to date.