Who can drive my car? Important tips on car insurance!

Who can drive my car? Important tips on car insurance!

More and more vehicle owners in Germany are lending their cars to friends, spouses or children. But the question remains: Does car insurance apply if someone other than the owner is driving? Loud ka-news this is a common concern. In many insurance contracts, only the owner and close relatives are listed as authorized drivers, which is often done for cost reasons.

Most car insurance policies allow other people, such as spouses or children, to drive the vehicle in addition to the owner. However, friends or acquaintances can only be registered as drivers under certain conditions. Conditions vary widely and uncertainties should be clarified in the insurance contract as violations of the insurance conditions can be financially disadvantageous.

Ways to register drivers

There are different models for registering drivers. You can choose between the following options: individual nomination, in which relatives are named; the flat rate, where all drivers over 25 years of age are also insured; the open circle of drivers, which has no restrictions; and the registration of a driver for a certain period of time. A smaller number of registered drivers usually results in cheaper insurance premiums, which can ease financial pressure.

When it comes to issuing temporary permission to additional drivers, this is often possible over the phone. Some insurance companies even offer this option free of charge, which can be particularly advantageous when traveling or moving. In emergencies, such as a hospital stay, acquaintances are also allowed to drive the car.

Special features for young drivers

Young drivers under the age of 24 in particular pose a higher risk and therefore incur higher additional insurance costs. When taking out car insurance, all potential vehicle users must also be specified. How HDI reported, the driver group is listed as a second driver in the insurance contract, and the number of registered drivers usually influences the insurance premium.

The different options for determining the group of drivers range from personalized entries to vague regulations in which everyone who drives the vehicle is considered a second driver. This offers great flexibility, but can also result in higher costs compared to insurance that only covers the policyholder.

In the event of an accident with an unregistered driver, motor vehicle liability insurance can cover the damage to the other party's vehicle, but the vehicle owner must expect possible sanctions. These can include contractual penalties amounting to several hundred euros, additional payments of the difference in premiums, higher deductibles in the event of comprehensive damage or even termination of the contract.

The choice of driving protection and registered drivers therefore remains a key decision for vehicle owners. The more informed you are, the easier it is to manage your insurance coverage and save costs.