howardaaron81

HI! Wanted to know if my roommate has to be added to my car insurance policy since he borrows my car fairly often. We both go to the same university in OH and sometimes I let him drive the car. What happens if he's behind the wheel and we get into an accident and its found the car insurance policy is only in my name?

Cali

I would call the insurance company and ask them. I would think it would be more likely if you co-owned the car, but you never know without asking.

gail

It can vary by state and insurance company - so above advice is correct. And you will need to define "fairly often" because everywhere I know of you can let anyone drive your car on occasion without telling the insurance company.

abram

It's very possible that I'm wrong, but I always thought I was insuring the car and that included anyone that I gave permission to drive it.

JJ495

abram's right by the letter of the law, but if someone not on the policy is a frequent driver, it raises issues of possible insurance fraud (for example, something like: it's really his car but he's uninsurable so this is a get around). Better to ask the agent the best way to go to avoid an unpleasant surprise if he does get into an accident.

follow_your_bliss

Yes, call because normally if you let a friend drive he would be covered but as an unlisted member of your household he may be excluded. You need to check ASAP.

LoveItaly

As follow-your-bliss posted that was always the way it was for the decades I was in the insurance business. A person was covered when driving your vehicle with your permission but IF the person was a resident of your household the insurance company had to have that information on record or there would not be coverage. This was in CA and no doubt it is the same in the other states I would think. But contacting your agent or insurance company is the only way you will receive the proper answer.

nytraveler

Agree you need to check with your insurer. If you are occupying the same residence (as opposed to students put together in a dorm room by a university) it may be considered that he is a regular driver and his record would need to be considered in pricing the insurance.

(An occasional "borrow" would be covered under your own insurance - another regular driver not listed might be considered fraud and invalidate your insurance.

nytraveler

Sorry - hit post too soon.

the latter might be considered the same thing as a family insuring the car for the adults when it is really being driven regularly by a teen driver (with a much higher premium). If the company finds out - it would invalidate coverage for any incidents involving the teen.

DebitNM

Curious - has anyone else noticed this??

This is the 7th post with a question about car insurance [3 specifically about Ohio] by new posters since Jan 2011 [one from Aug 2010]. And for 6 of the new posters, the insurance Q was their only post; the 7th posted on 2 threads on same day as their OP and never returned.

Most of these posters' screen names seem to be a first and last name.

Like I said, just curious.

Search car insurance

hazel1

Curious - yes, I've noticed this. I really can't understand what's going on. Why would someone post questions about insurance in a travel forum? I'm sure those who respond have good intentions, but honestly, it just encourages more of this. At the very least, I wish they (the Fodor's moderators) would move these kind of non-travel posts to the Lounge.

ggreen

hazel1, hit the exclamation-point icon at the top of the post and tell the moderators to do so - they won't know to do it unless told. (I just did for this post.)

Ryan

Perhaps these people keep getting misdirected on the way to that website that keeps running tv commercials for cheap insurance.

LoveItaly

Hi there Deb, I sure have noticed and wondered "what the heck?", it is strange.

And I agree, these type of threads should be in the Lounge.

howardaaron81

All I can say is OOPs! Didn’t expect such strong reactions. For those of you who suggested I check with my car insurance agent, Will do so and revert. Thanks all

Aduchamp1

Why would someone post questions about insurance in a travel forum?

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As opposed to the 247th cat topic or instructions on do-it-yourself hemorrhoid surgery or why are pillows more fluffy in October?

INeedABreak

Aduchamp, everyone knows why pillows are more fluffy in October! No need to re-state the almost-painfully obvious!

LSky

Not only should you check with your insurance company but you should have a candid talk with your roomate about what will happen if something goes wrong. I'd think about getting a deposit. Sounds harsh but you don't want to be holding the bill.

Steelersfan

DebitNM on Mar 10, 11 at 2:39pm Curious - has anyone else noticed this??
This is the 7th post with a question about car insurance [3 specifically about Ohio] by new posters since Jan 2011 [one from Aug 2010]. And for 6 of the new posters, the insurance Q was their only post; the 7th posted on 2 threads on same day as their OP and never returned.


Wow, can't believe you took the time to check and type out all those details.
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Aduchamp1 on Mar 15, 11 at 5:12am Why would someone post questions about insurance in a travel forum? ___
As opposed to the 247th cat topic or instructions on do-it-yourself hemorrhoid surgery or why are pillows more fluffy in October?
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If the LOUNGE were about travel, that would be a legit query...

ggreen

FWIW, this post didn't used to be in the Lounge - as you can tell from hazel1's comment.