Should you let your mate borrow your car?
We've all been there — you're temporarily unable to drive so your friend has offered to give you a lift in your own car. A family member takes your car to duck out to the shops. Or you're glued to your desk at work and a mate offers to move your car before your parking limit is up. But what happens if they end up in an accident?
Consider how well you know the other driver
Before letting someone borrow your car, consider how well you know them – and their driving history.
How responsible are they? Do they have a good driving record, or are they prone to prangs? If you knowingly let someone with a history of accidents drive your car, they may not meet the T&Cs of your policy, and your insurer may not end up covering your claim.
When someone's getting behind the wheel of a car they don't own, it's important to know how the owner's insurance might be affected. This is just a guide, of course — to be fully up to speed, read your specific policy's T&Cs for details.
Find out what's covered in the case of an accident
Do you have Comprehensive Car Insurance, or only Third Party Car Insurance? Third Party Insurance covers damage done to other's cars or property, while Comprehensive Car Insurance will also cover damage done to your own car.
It's worth knowing the expectations surrounding who will be forking out to pay for any damage done to your car — keep in mind that reckless acts won't be covered.
Who should you add to your policy?
Remember, if someone not listed on your policy has an accident while behind the wheel of your car, you may have to pay an additional excess. A simple way to put your mind at ease, is to list regular additional drivers on your policy. So how do you decide who to list?
If a friend is borrowing your car on a once-off occasion, you probably don't have to list them on your policy. But if someone else – whether it's a friend or family member – is going to be driving your car regularly, consider listing them as an additional driver on your policy.
How to add other drivers to your Bingle policy
If you're with Bingle, you can easily add drivers to your Bingle policy online. Head to Bingle Self Service Log in to list someone as a driver on your policy. The person you add must also meet all of Bingle's underwriting guidelines. Although this may affect your premium (especially if you’re adding a younger driver) it's a safer option than paying a much higher excess if you do have to make a claim. If your additional driver is a Learner, you don't have to add them to your policy, as long as the person supervising them is a listed driver. Keep in mind an age excess may apply for Learner drivers under 25.
Learn more about which policy is right for you
If you're considering Bingle Comprehensive or Third Party Car Insurance, read up on what the policies include in order to choose the cover that's right for you and your mates.
