Insurance Policy

When it comes to car insurance, most people understand that they are paying a premium for protection and peace of mind. The insurance often acts as a safety barrier, protecting the driver and property in case an accident occurs. But what happens if you are not the driver in an accident? If a family member is operating your vehicle and gets in an accident, are they covered under your insurance policy?

Unfortunately, this is not an answer that can be universally applied as a "yes" or "no" to everyone. The truth is that different insurance providers treat family members in different ways. Some may allow for coverage of relatives under your policy without needing special designations, while others will not protect individuals who are not specifically named on the insurance paperwork.

Typically, your insurance agent will ask you to identify which family members in your household will be operating the vehicle when you are setting up your initial coverage. Some companies may offer coverage for persons living in the home with you, even if they are not mentioned, while others will ask you to make an "authorized" and "restricted" list. In many cases, adding additional drivers to your vehicle's insurance policy will result in higher premiums to cover driving performed by the other individuals.