Whose Insurance Covers a Test Drive?

Whose insurance covers a test drive? Who’s liable if you get into an accident while driving your friend’s car? In the United States, the person who owns the vehicle is the party that gets their car insured first. Unless they specifically tell their insurance company to cover you while driving it, your friend’s auto insurance won’t payout if you get into an accident. To learn more about whose insurance covers a test drive, read on.

If you’re in the market to buy a new car, one question that may cross your mind is whose insurance covers the test drive. If you’re only using your own car, then this really isn’t an issue at all; but if you plan on using the dealership’s loaner car during your test drive, then this could be an important question to ask.

Is It Worth it?

When considering any insurance policy, you’ll have to figure out if it’s worth it or not. You could get hit with sky-high premiums or be forced to pay for things you don’t need when you don’t need them. Make sure you know what your coverages are, how they work and how they can benefit your business. Then ask yourself if that coverage is really worth it in terms of price and whether or not there are other policies available to meet your needs. Insurance is one area where you get what you pay for, so try to find policies that suit your company's specific needs without costing too much out of pocket.


Will Your Policy Cover It?

If you’re borrowing a friend or colleague’s car, look up your insurance policy to see if it covers test drives. If you plan on driving your own car, you might want to call your agent and ask specifically what they’ll cover in terms of test drives. Some companies are known for being more lenient than others when it comes to situations like these. Remember: just because one company covers something doesn’t mean that another will. Make sure to consult multiple sources before assuming that you are covered for every circumstance (and of course, never assume anything). Asking questions is never embarrassing; failing to ask is.


What If My Car Gets Damaged?

When you take someone for a test drive, it’s in everyone’s best interest that everything goes smoothly. But what if something happens to your car during an on-the-lot test drive, like an accident or mechanical failure? If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, chances are your insurance will cover damage to your car; however, you may not be covered if you let someone else do all of the driving. Remember: You are responsible for any damage caused by or to your vehicle while it is under your control. Before letting someone else behind the wheel of your car, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage.


What Is Test-Drive Rentals Insurance Exactly?

A test-drive insurance policy is essentially regular car insurance coverage you can buy while you’re renting a vehicle. However, there are specific rules and limitations to each plan that vary from company to company, so it’s important to know exactly what your coverage entails. For example, some plans cover basic collision or comprehensive for one or two days; others may not cover rental cars at all. Read your policy carefully before choosing a car rental—and double-check your auto insurance policy before you leave home. You might already have test-drive insurance in place through your provider.


How Much Does it Cost?

Some insurance companies charge a fee for drivers to test drive their car. For others, test drives are covered by business liability insurance policies. If you have questions about your specific policy, be sure to contact your insurance company before scheduling any test drives. And if you’re shopping around for new coverage, make sure to ask each prospective company how they handle test drives before signing on with them. Finally, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth dropping your current policy in favor of another one just because it covers test drives—the answer is probably no. If you had coverage with your last insurer, it doesn’t mean you need to stick with that same insurer once your coverage lapses.


Who Can I Buy Coverage From?

You can buy coverage from an insurance agent, business owner or even your car dealer. Business owners with commercial auto insurance and auto dealerships will often offer test drive packages for drivers to purchase. With these packages, drivers get comprehensive insurance that covers both liability and damage to their own vehicle during driving (but not for any property damage or injury incurred by pedestrians). If you want to buy coverage from a particular business, call ahead and ask if they sell test drive coverage. They may be able to give you details over the phone about how much it costs and what you’re covered for—or you can go in person and review their policy documents.


How Can I Save Money on Coverage?

A test drive is an important part of making sure you really like a car before you buy it. If your insurance policy doesn't cover test drives, start shopping around for one that does. Most do. You can also look into short-term insurance options. Auto insurance companies offer packages that cover just seven days or so, which will allow you to take multiple cars out for test drives with no added cost to you. Try asking your insurer if they offer such packages—and if not, shop around until you find one that does. A little legwork might end up saving you hundreds of dollars over time.


Which Vehicles are Covered Under This Plan?

Under any of your coverage types, you can drive any vehicle that you own as long as it’s insured properly. So if you have a car, motorcycle, or boat that you’re interested in test driving, make sure that it has an insurance policy (or temporary one) in place before taking it out for a spin. If you’re borrowing someone else’s car and are unsure about their insurance coverage for test drives, check with them to find out exactly what is covered. In either scenario, no matter who owns and insures your vehicle, please don’t forget to insure yourself! You can do so through our Safe Driver Discount program.


Do I Have Other Options Besides Buying Coverage From the Dealer?

If you were to ask most car buyers whose insurance covers test drives, they’d probably tell you it’s only your local dealership. But that’s not necessarily true. If you want to make sure that any vehicle modifications or accessories you add won’t affect your coverage, look into getting temporary coverage through an aftermarket source like Admiral Insurance (for businesses) or Insureon (for individual policies). These options are especially helpful if you aren't planning on keeping your car long-term and might need full-coverage insurance for just one year. Temporary policies can help keep costs low and give you time to figure out what's best for your specific situation.


Does My Credit Score Matter When Purchasing Coverage For Test-Drive Rentals?

When you’re taking out an insurance policy for your test-drive, credit history will likely play some role in determining how much you have to pay. In fact, your credit score could help determine what kind of coverage you receive and whether you’re eligible for it at all. Before committing to any one insurance company, take a few minutes to understand how they use your credit history when deciding whether or not to offer coverage. You might be able to land a better deal on business car insurance because of it!

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