Letting friend borrow car for 2 weeks

[Free4Life11]

I'm going on vacation in August and was planning on having my best friend drive me to the airport (2 hours away) and letting him keep & use my car while I'm gone as he doesn't have a car.

Is this a bad idea? Do I need to let the insurance know or anything like that? What if he gets pulled over, should I write a note saying he has my permission to drive my car?

FYI -- I have full coverage auto insurance.

Thanks!

 

[sbell111]

You'll need to check your insurance coverage to determine whether you are covered if an unnamed driver is using the car. Beyond that, you're fine.

 

[Christine]

You need to contact your insurance and find out what happens if your friend gets in an accident with the car. Your friend should also contact his insurance and find out what they will do for him if he is driving another car. It can vary from policy to policy.

It wouldn't hurt to have something in the car stating you are allowing him to use it for a period of time, but it's not required.

 

[Darcy03231]

I wouldn't do it. Too many ways this could go wrong.

How will you feel if he gets in a accident that's his fault and wrecks your car? What if its a bad accident and you end up in suit over it? What if your ins. co. has to pay out and your rates go up?

I'd find another way to get to the airport, or drive myself and pay to park. Many major airports have a sleep, park, fly program where you spend the night in a hotel and get to park your care there for free from 7-14 days.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My gut tells me that this is, indeed, a bad idea....

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Go on vacation and enjoy yourself. I don't know what state you are in, but most states the insurance follows the vehicle. You could let your agent know of your plans, but other than that, you are okay. Well so long as friend has a proper license to drive.

Happy travels!!

 

[daisyduck123]

I wouldn't do it. Too many ways this could go wrong.

How will you feel if he gets in a accident that's his fault and wrecks your car? What if its a bad accident and you end up in suit over it? What if your ins. co. has to pay out and your rates go up?

I'd find another way to get to the airport, or drive myself and pay to park. Many major airports have a sleep, park, fly program where you spend the night in a hotel and get to park your care there for free from 7-14 days.

Exactly how I feel about the situation.

What makes me feel even more uneasy is that your friend does not even have his own vehicle. Why not? That is so atypical from this area. Everyone, & I mean everyone has his/her own car.

 

[Luvchefmic]

This is IMHO a Judge Judy episode in the making and a loss of a friend. Not worth it agree with a few other posters so many things could go wrong.

 

[jodifla]

Well, depends on the friend, but I'd do it -- and have done it several times, with no issues.

You'd need to check with your insurance company, but normally, if the person has permission to drive your car, it's fine.

 

[mamamary]

When I was younger and still lived at home my dad car sat his co-workers car. We didn't have a car at the time (lived in NYC). We were going to use it to go on vacation (with this mans approval) and when we went outside our house the car was gone. It was stolen My dad felt so bad but if I remember correctly the man was sorta happy (insurance wise) and everything worked out.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I've loaned my car and I've borrowed cars.

Just call your insurance person and let them know. They sometimes want a copy of the other person's DL.

 

[golfgal]

BAD, BAD, BAD idea. If your friend gets into an accident it is YOUR insurance that pays, YOUR rates that go up and YOUR liability if he hurts someone. BAD, BAD, BAD idea. NEVER, EVER, NEVER let someone borrow your car. Your insurance agent will be just fine with this since permissive users are covered under every insurance contract, however it is YOU that will suffer if something happens.

 

[SandrA9810]

Why is it so hard to comprehend that some people just don't have a car?? Out of the norm, maybe, but not impossible.

If you feel safe with his driving, then let him. Just make sure his license is current and valid. Most states you can do an online search with the DL#. Yes it will be your policy that follows the car, and will go into effect if there's an accident.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

My mother is an insurance underwriter. She wouldn't even let her own children drive her car. No amount of insurance totally covers you. In the event of an accident, the person can and will sue you.

You can't totally trust any friend. What if he committed a crime with it? What if he hit a bus load of kids? Your insurance, your income, your credit, your future is on the line.


Yes, it probably will only be the deductible you pay. But I wouldn't go on vacation worrying about something you could have easily avoided.

Take a cab.

 

[DawnM]

Depends on how well the friend drives and how responsible he is. I can think of 2 or 3 times when I have let friends borrow cars for days at a time and it was fine.

Dawn

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Sure, bad stuff can happen. If you trust your best friend to take proper care of your car, then don't worry about it. It's not the end of the world if an accident happens.

IF your friend has an accident - THEN - your insurance rates COULD go up IF he was at fault for the accident.

You COULD get sued - IF your friend causes an accident and the other person is seriously hurt AND there is not enough insurance to cover the injuries and you HAVE something worth suing for. 99.9999999% insurance will cover it all. People have their own insurance for under or uninsured people in most states.

An awful lot needs to go wrong for you to be negatively affected by this. On the flip side, you are doing something nice for your best friend. Seems to me the choice is obvious.

Go on vacation and relax.

 

[PatsGirl]

An awful lot needs to go wrong for you to be negatively affected by this. On the flip side, you are doing something nice for your best friend. Seems to me the choice is obvious.

I try to never give up a chance to help my good friends, it's all about the karma baby

 

[John VN]

You want to be a good friend so if his credit is good have him rent a car and you give him the cash. He drives you to and from the airport and your car is home nice a safe along with your insurance and piece of mind.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Art 1]

Don't do it.

 

[Darsa]

I'd make sure he's currently licensed, check up on my insurance, and if everything checks out I'd let him drive it. Though I do wonder as well why he doesn't have his own car...?