What Happens In Florida When You Let Someone Else Drive Your Car, and They Get In An Accident?

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident

What Happens In Florida When You Let Someone Else Drive Your Car, and They Get In An Accident?

Allowing someone else to drive your car can lead to complicated legal and insurance issues, especially if they get in a car accident. Florida has a “no-fault” insurance system, which means each driver’s insurance company generally covers some portion of their damages, regardless of who caused the accident. 

But things can become more complicated when it comes to serious injury or property damage. A Clearwater car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and responsibilities.

Does Car Insurance Cover the Car or the Driver in Florida?

Car insurance policies primarily cover the car in Florida, not the driver. They are car insurance policies, not driver insurance. This means that if someone else is driving your car and they get in an accident, your auto insurance will likely be the primary form of coverage. However, the specific circumstances of the accident may affect whether your policy is triggered, especially if the driver did not have your permission to use the car.

Can You Insure Someone Else’s Car?

Insuring someone else’s car can be tricky. Insurance policies generally require you to have an insurable interest in what you are insuring. In auto policies, you can typically only insure vehicles you or a family member living in your household own. You may need to be added to someone’s policy if you frequently drive their car and do not own it or live with them. An auto insurance agent can help you determine your options for coverage.

What if the Person Driving My Car Was at Fault?

Your insurance policy will typically cover the damages if the person driving your car is at fault for the accident up to the policy limits. Remember that Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state, which means people involved in car accidents must first turn to their own insurance.

Florida law requires your policy to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for some medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage after a car accident. It covers you, the driver, any passengers in your car, and relatives in your household up to the policy limits, regardless of who is at fault. The driver’s insurance policy may provide secondary coverage if damages exceed your policy limits, but it is not guaranteed. The driver may also be held personally liable for the remaining damages if the accident caused serious injury or property damage.

Permissive Use

Permissive use refers to allowing someone else to drive your car with explicit or implicit permission. Most Florida auto insurance policies include coverage for permissive use. This means your policy will typically cover someone who is in an accident while driving your car, but only if they had your permission to use it. Some policies may have restrictions or exclusions that limit coverage to listed drivers, so review your policy to understand any limitations.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) is an optional but highly recommended coverage in Florida. It protects you or someone driving your car if your car accident involves a driver who does not have adequate coverage to pay your damages. Even simple car accidents that appear to be minor can expose you to serious bodily injury and property damage. UM/UIM coverage may prevent you from being left with out-of-pocket expenses if the at-fault driver does not have adequate coverage and your damages exceed those covered under your policy’s Personal Injury Protection coverage.

Involved in a Car Accident?

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car, a Clearwater car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights. They understand the intricacies of personal injury and insurance law after car accidents in Florida.

Contact the Pinellas County Car Accident Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg car accident law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 349-1728