Before lending your car, check that your car insurance provides for this possibility. Otherwise, you could be financially responsible for any damage caused.
The vehicle loan is a widespread practice but can reserve unpleasant surprises for the insured. Before entrusting your car, it is better to have read the risks involved and contacted your insurance company in case of doubt.
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What
does your auto insurance policy say about the car loan?
Before handing over the keys to your vehicle, remember
to check your car insurance policy. If this clause is included, it means that
you are covered by the civil liability guarantee, including in the event of a
responsible claim caused by the occasional driver. In this situation, the insurer
will cover material and bodily damage suffered by third parties, regardless of
who is driving the vehicle. Obviously, people who do not hold a driving license
and those driving while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics are not
covered by the contract.
While some insurers authorize the loan of a vehicle
unconditionally, others apply an increased deductible in the event of a claim
at fault, do not cover the claim in the event of a young driver or even accept
the loan of a steering wheel but only when it concerns a member of the family
of the insured. Therefore, it is strongly advised to study your contract before
committing.
Vehicle
loan: what damage is covered in the event of an accident?
If the occasional driver is responsible for the
accident, the car insurance will cover at least the damage caused to third
parties. With regard to damage caused to the driver and to your vehicle,
coverage depends on the level of cover chosen.
If the occasional driver is not responsible for the
accident, the motor vehicle liability insurance of the third party involved
will cover the material damage and bodily injury observed.
Finally, in the event of shared responsibility, the
insurance of each driver will cover part of the costs.
What
consequences on the bonus-malus?
Whatever the clauses provided for by your car
insurance, you remain the main person responsible for your vehicle. In other
words, if the person to whom you lend your vehicle causes a claim, the penalty
will be charged to you. However, you can turn against the driver by asking him
for damages. It is important to specify that this rule only applies when the
car has been used without the authorization of the main driver. It is then up
to the latter to prove to his insurer that he was not aware.
Have
you considered temporary auto insurance?
If your car insurance contract does not cover the
vehicle loan, you can always take out temporary car insurance. To do this, you
need the car's registration document, your driving license and a possible
statement of information. Even if the guarantees offered by these contracts are
often reduced to the legal minimum, they allow you to be covered for civil
liability and to benefit from legal protection.
To find the best temporary car insurance, do not
hesitate to compare the offers with the help of a free and non-binding online
comparator.