Here’s a question that comes up often when discussing auto insurance. Is my car insured if someone not on my policy, such as a relative or close family friend, is driving and gets into an accident?

The answer is usually yes. In general, car insurance coverage follows the vehicle, not the driver, which means that the coverage you purchased for your vehicle will cover the car regardless of who’s driving it. But there are some factors to keep in mind that could affect coverage.

Did the person driving have your written or verbal permission to get behind the wheel? If yes, they are covered under your policy. If not, coverage may be limited.

It’s also important to note, if an authorized driver gets into an accident while driving your car, your auto insurance will be considered the primary coverage in any accident-related claim that’s made. The driver’s auto insurance coverage will be considered a secondary coverage, and will only activate if damage claims exceed the limits of your policy.

But what happens if your car is stolen and the thief gets into an accident? Unfortunately, your insurance company would probably not accept any claims for damages the thief caused. However, if you had comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, it would likely cover the damages to your own vehicle, so you’d be able to get your car repaired.

Based on these two scenarios, you’ve likely come to the conclusion that the best policy is not to allow someone who is not on your policy to drive your vehicle. However, if you do anticipate the need to lend your vehicle to a friend or family member, when getting auto insurance quotes, be sure to run a variety of scenarios past the agent you are dealing with to make sure you understand what is and is not covered.