Your Friend Crashed Your Car! What's Next?

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Home / Car Insurance /  Your Friend Crashed Your Car! What's Next?

Yes, your car insurance will remain valid if someone else is driving your car without your permission. There are a number of insurers who have a condition of ‘permissive use’ mentioned in their policy. Want to know more about coverage for car damages caused due to a friend? Then, scroll through the section below and learn more.

Is Insurance Valid if Someone Else Drives My Car with My Permission?
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Whether you have a Comprehensive or other type of car insurance policy, it will still remain valid if your friend or anyone else is driving your car. The only condition being that they should be listed as ‘permissive driver’. A ‘permissive driver’ means that you have granted permission to your friend to drive the car. However, there are certain factors that you need to consider when you list someone in the ‘permissive driver’ list.

Factors Affecting Permissive Norms in Car Insurance
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There are certain factors that might affect the ‘permissive norms’, some of which are listed below:

  • The person whom are lending the car must be within the permissible limit of driving a car

  • When you lend your car, you must ensure that the are has a valid driving licence

  • You must inform the person that they are not driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants

  • The friend driving your car must be aware of the policy terms and conditions

How Will the Damage be Covered if Your Friend Crashes Your Car?
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In case you have given permission to your friend to drive the car and then they crash it, resulting in damage to the vehicle, then your insurer will provide coverage under the following events:

  • In most cases, the insurer will provide financial compensation if they find out that you have given permission to drive your car. On the contrary, no claim will be entertained if you did not permit your friend.

  • If your friend crashes a car, the car will be damaged, and the passengers will be injured. In this case, the insurer will cover the damages to the car only and not the third-party injuries.

What Happens After Your Friend Crashes Your Car?
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Here are the things you need to do after your friend crashes your car:

  • Ensure Safety: The very first thing to do is to take your friend and others to the hospital if they are injured. Do everything in your power to make sure that your friend and others are safe. 

  • Document the Scene: Next, you should take photographs of the damaged car from all angles to raise a successful claim. You should also record the incident, if possible. 

  • Collect all Details: Who was driving the car is very important. What is your buddy's age? Does your friend have a valid driving license? Was he/she drunk at the time of the accident? The insurer and the police will ask you these questions, so gather these details.

  • File FIR: You will need to file the First Information Report (FIR) with the police. It is important to do so for the claim process and avoid rejections.

  • Notify the Insurer: You should also inform the insurance provider about the incident. If you delay reporting the incident, your claim request may be rejected. 

  • Raise a Claim: You should file a claim against your car insurance policy after all of this. Submit the required documents and let your insurer look into the matter. If things look good to them, your claim gets settled.

Will Car Insurance Premium Increase if Someone Else is Driving My Car?
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Will the premium surge or increase if your friend is driving your car? If you have also been thinking the same, then the answer is no. But if, while driving the car, there is an accident, then the premium might increase. You will also lose the No Claim Bonus benefit attached to your policy once you raise a claim against such damage caused while your friend was driving your insured car.

Summing Up
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Mistakes may happen from your friend’s end, but it is in your control to handle the situation like a pro. You don’t need to worry much if you have enlisted your friend in the ‘permissive driver’ list because another friend, the insurer, will take care of the rest. The insurer will help you settle the claims.

Frequently Asked Question
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Do I have to list my friend on the list before lending them my car?

Yes, you must list your friend on the list before lending out the car. This will keep your insurer updated about the same.

Can I claim insurance if someone else is driving my car?

The insurance claim is valid if you had permitted your friend to drive your car.

Who is liable if someone else crashes your car?

Typically, the insurer will be liable to pay the amount if someone else crashes your car. However, the claim can be void if the person driving the car is involved in reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and other such irresponsible behaviour.

Is my friend liable to pay for the damages to my car?

The friend will be liable to pay for the damages if they are driving under conditions that are not covered in your car insurance policy.

Nikhila PS profile avatar

Written by

Nikhila PS

Senior Content Editor

Rekhit Singh Kaushal profile avatar

Reviewed by

Rekhit Singh Kaushal

Senior Director - Motor Underwriting