by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Car accident attorneyNovember 22, 20220 comments

Does Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver in Arizona?

Is a buddy asking to borrow your car? Planning on loaning your car to a friend? Before you hand over the keys, you should probably ask yourself: does insurance follow the car or the driver in Arizona?

In Arizona, when you let someone else drive your car, you’re essentially loaning them your auto insurance. Want to know what we mean by that? Keep reading, as today’s blog post is going to cover everything you need to know.

The Omnibus Clause

So, does insurance follow the car or the driver in Arizona? Well, thanks to the “omnibus clause,” most auto policies will cover someone else driving your vehicle if they have a valid driver’s license. Usually, this clause applies to family members within your same household and dependent children living away from home. Of course, they must have your permission to drive first.

Under the “omnibus clause,” your insurance company will cover any damages that your friend causes while driving your car. Of course, those damages will only be covered up to your policy’s limits, and you are still responsible for paying the deductible and any additional costs.

What to Look For

Although you are technically covered, there are a couple of things you should confirm before loaning your car to a friend:

• Your insurance policy. Make sure you’re comfortable with your coverage limits. Also, check to make sure your policy covers other drivers of your car.
• Your friend’s driver’s license and insurance policy. Before your friend drives your car, you need to make sure they have a valid driver’s license and insurance policy. If they don’t have insurance and the damages exceed your insurance’s limits, you will be held liable for all remaining costs.
• Your proof of insurance and registration. Your friend needs to be able to locate both within your vehicle.

Additionally, we recommend assessing whether your friend is comfortable driving your car, whether they have experience driving cars like yours, and how long they plan on using it.

Do Insurance Points Follow the Car or Driver?

In Arizona, insurance follows the car. However, the points surcharged for any accidents caused will follow the driver. Regardless of whose car you’re driving, accident points will accumulate on your driving record, which will likely increase your policy rates.

If you have questions, contact your insurance agent to better understand your company’s accident surcharge guidelines.

Best Car Accident Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ

So, does insurance follow the car or the driver in Arizona? As Phoenix’s top-rated car accident attorneys, we can attest that your insurance plan follows your car. However, navigating claims where someone else is the driver can be hard. Working with a skilled personal injury attorney helps to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one is in need of a car accident attorney, look no further than The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed. Utilizing our famous Aggressive Compassionate Representation, we diligently fight for the best outcome for our clients.

Contact our team for your free, no-obligation consultation today.