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Does my auto insurance provide any coverage when I drive someone else's car?

If you are driving someone else's car, their insurance covers you while you are driving their car, as long as you:

  • Have a valid Canadian driver’s license (travelers from outside Canada need to check with the regulatory body of the province(s) they will be driving in)
  • Are using the vehicle with the owner’s permission
  • Haven't committed an offence under Canada's Criminal Code while operating your vehicle
  • Don't use the vehicle for one of the uses prohibited in their policy (for example, no racing)
  • Are not specifically excluded from driving their vehicle

If you have an accident while driving someone else's car, you'll need to present proof of insurance. It's a good idea to make sure you have this available to you before borrowing a car.

If the car's owner doesn't have insurance, there is coverage under your own policy to protect you. There are some criteria to be met; coverage won’t extend to a vehicle owned by someone else in your household. Not all coverages on your own vehicle are provided and, while the covers vary by province, third party liability cover extends in all provinces.

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