You’re not alone if all you know about auto insurance is that you need it to drive legally. Now is the time to answer your questions and better understand your Texas auto insurance policy—what it covers and doesn’t. The perfect time to learn about your insurance is before you need it, not after you’ve been in an accident or filed a claim.
When it comes to car insurance, people often don’t know if the insurance “follows” the driver or the car. If you are driving your mom’s car and get into an accident, does your insurance cover it? If you let your best friend drive your vehicle to the corner store and they hit someone, whose car insurance policy pays for the damage? No wonder this question is so commonly asked!
Does Insurance Follow the Car or the Driver?
Generally, auto insurance is for the car, not the driver. However, several factors, most notably the kind of auto insurance coverage you initially have, will determine whether insurance follows the car or the driver. In other words, car insurance is complicated.
There are choices in coverage that follow the car and some that follow the driver. In general, auto insurance follows the car instead of the driver. Still, the specifics of a claim can differ since insurance laws and coverage vary depending on the policy you have selected.
Liability Insurance Follows the Driver
Liability insurance is the only insurance that is legally required in Texas. This portion of insurance covers the costs associated with injuries, death, or property damage caused by the driver. It follows the driver no matter whose car is being operated, provided it is an eligible vehicle. If you rear-end the car in front of you at a stoplight while driving your mom’s car, the damage to their bumper is covered by liability insurance.
Collision and Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Using the previous example, we haven’t yet discussed the damage to your mom’s car. To further investigate this, we will talk about auto insurance, specifically collision and comprehensive coverage.
These auto insurance coverage options are tied to the insured vehicle, which means they follow the car. Collision and comprehensive insurance cover the damage to an insured vehicle caused by an accident or act of vandalism, regardless of who’s driving.
One way to think of it is that if you loan your vehicle, you also loan your car insurance. Since comprehensive insurance covers everything linked to the car, the real party under coverage is the vehicle, not the driver. To do this, you must set up certain rules, like who can drive the car.
If someone other than the insured drives a car with comprehensive coverage and isn’t designated as a covered driver, they may not be protected in an accident. Most policies already include family members like your spouse in the definition of “insured.” However, even if you give your best friend permission to use the vehicle, they likely won’t be protected. The answer to this case comes down to your policy’s details.
Find Out Which Auto Insurance Works Best for You
If you’re in the market for Texas car insurance, it’s important to understand the different types of coverage available. At Pronto Insurance, we can help you select the right policy for your needs and ensure you know what is and is not covered. Get a quote today and see how much you could save on your premiums!
