Sure you can borrow my car! Think twice before you utter those words!

Have you ever had a friend need your pickup to move? Has your girlfriend or boyfriend ever driven your car because theirs is in the shop? Has a guest ever borrowed your car to run an errand? Beware you may not be covered!

There are different coverages listed on your auto policy and each protects you under certain circumstances; be sure to check with your agent they will give you a full rundown, to follow is just a brief synopsis.

Liability follows the car so before letting a friend, relative or acquaintance drive your vehicle you should ask yourself if you can afford it. Keep in mind if something happens it is your policy that will be affected making this act of kindness a very expensive pill to swallow.

Comprehensive and collision are specifically tied to the car. What does this mean for you? If the party you are loaning the car to gets in an accident or in some way damages your vehicle it is your coverage, or lack of, that will or won’t cover it. Charges to this portion of your coverage could cause your policy premium to rise and leave you with the deductible to pay.

There is no blanket yes or no answer when it comes to letting others drive your vehicle, or whether or not they or your vehicle will be covered. You will want to go over all your coverages and particularly what happens if you loan your vehicle with your agent. Be sure to discuss whether or not the person resides with you, in your state, or in a different state or country, as all of these factors can affect the coverages.

If someone living with you will be using your vehicle on a regular basis, then the carrier will expect you to name the person on your policy as an additional driver or you will have to note that they are excluded from the policy. Some carriers will provide limited coverage to relatives visiting for short periods, but again only your agent will be able to tell you if this is the case.

The best course of action, though probably not the friendliest, would be to say “sorry but no” to anyone’s request to borrow your vehicle; if that is not possible the second best course of action would be to call your agent to ensure you and the borrower are covered.