Reader’s Question:

What will happen if my friend drives my car and get citation for DUI, will that increase my car insurance rate?

Harry

Phoenix AZ

If your friend was given a citation for driving under the influence while operating your vehicle it should not affect your auto insurance in any way. Your friend will get the citation written under his name and and it should not reflect on the vehicle owner’s driving record or car insurance. This means that it will reflect in their driving record as a driver and should not cause you any trouble in your auto insurance rate going up.

Even so, for instance, your friend gets involved in an accident while driving your automobile, the insurance claims will therefore go on your insurance claims record and may affect your insurance rate. Car insurance commonly follows the vehicle first and the driver the second. This means that if your friend get into an accident, it would be your insurance that would kick in first and your friends insurance would be the secondary and would cover the excess if your coverage limits were exceeded.

As the owner of the vehicle, you have liability for those you give permission to drive your vehicle so if the insurance limits were exceeded, then normally, in most sates, the one driving the car and the owner of the vehicle are both liable for all the damages that the motorist may cause while driving the automobile.