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: Driving Friends Car - Any Liabilities or Risks?

JulyZerg
10-24-2009, 12:40 AM
My friends leaving the Country for a few months and he gave me keys to his car. It's a pretty nice car and I wouldn't mind driving it around for a month or two, but I was wondering if their are any risk involved driving another persons(friends) car?

Should he do anything or should I make sure he has <insert whatever> before I drive it? Would it be better if I just left it and didn't drive it or what?

Thanks.
orange7
10-24-2009, 12:56 AM
i almost gave you my first fail.
cleanEK
10-24-2009, 01:00 AM
Ask your friend if you can drive it. If yes, then if you break anything just fix it. Easy as that.
orange7
10-24-2009, 01:03 AM
My friends leaving the Country for a few months and he gave me keys to his car. It's a pretty nice car and I wouldn't mind driving it around for a month or two, but I was wondering if their are any risk involved driving another persons(friends) car?

Thanks.

you're risking your friendship, his car, his insurance, and yourself.




Should he do anything or should I make sure he has <insert whatever> before I drive it?

Thanks.

You should make sure he has enough money to buy himself another car as well as money for any "accidents" that is involved with his car and people who may sue him for millions of dollars.
I'm not stating that you're a bad driver, i'm only stating that accidents happen by accident. Even the best drivers get into accidents by accident.


Would it be better if I just left it and didn't drive it or what?

Thanks.

IMO, yes!
Qmx323
10-24-2009, 01:03 AM
Your friend is one trusting guy, I'd love to have a friend like that.


No don't drive it. Soon as you get pulled over you're in big trouble as they run the plates and they don't match you, so you better get your story straight
JulyZerg
10-24-2009, 01:07 AM
i almost gave you my first fail.

Why? cause I asked before I drove it? Unlike other people on here that asked for help after they got into trouble with their friends car?
orange7
10-24-2009, 01:08 AM
Why? cause I asked before I drove it? Unlike other people on here that asked for help after they got into trouble with their friends car?

it's because SG has posted a thread on how to use the search function.

oh... don't take my response personally...
i wasn't giving you any attitude if you thought i was
JeffK
10-24-2009, 01:11 AM
as long as he keeps it insured, and you have a valid license then there is no issue.

other then you agreeing who will pay the deductible if/when an accident happens, i can't see any issue.

I'm not aware of any issue with the police as long as its insured and u have a valid license and meet all the normal requirements for driving.

seems simple.

enjoy the car, don't wreck it!

just make sure to clean any stains on the seats :)
orange7
10-24-2009, 01:14 AM
as long as he keeps it insured, and you have a valid license then there is no issue.

other then you agreeing who will pay the deductible if/when an accident happens, i can't see any issue.

I'm not aware of any issue with the police as long as its insured and u have a valid license and meet all the normal requirements for driving.

seems simple.

enjoy the car, don't wreck it!

just make sure to clean any stains on the seats :)

but wouldn't the owner have to change the insurance type???
and if he doesn't.. then gg?
wendal
10-24-2009, 02:21 AM
but wouldn't the owner have to change the insurance type???
and if he doesn't.. then gg?

Yah im prety sure his frds gotta put him as a secondary driver, or sth.

Like they said, ask your friend if you can drive the car, if yes then do it? if no dont do it? so simple...........

And if you ARE planning to drive it. PLEASE TREAT IT LIKE ITS YOUR OWN CAR!
Uncle Benz
10-24-2009, 01:07 PM
The issue comes down to liability in case anything happens to the car, who is going to take care of the damage. The damage is not just limited to a accident, there are also things such as break-ins/theft, vandalism, mechanical repairs, flat tire, bent rims etc... and other things which may not be your fault but happened while the car was in your possession and you were driving it(eg. car breaksdown because you're friend neglected basic maintenance and now there is a big bill).

Also keep in mind with a at fault accident, it's not just the deductible that the at fault party is liable for, it is also the future years of higher insurance premiums.

Most people who give their cars to friends for a extended period of time usually have a good trusting relationship, and would not bother discussing such issues. If something were to happen it would definitely put a damper on your friendship. So it is between you and your friend to discuss such issues. Also the situation would be far worse for your friend than it would be for you as he is the registered owner of the car, and ultimately he is responsible for the car.
JoshuaWong
10-24-2009, 02:12 PM
dont do it, its not worth the trouble if shit hits the fan. unless he gave you the key to a ferrari or lambo then is another story....
godwin
10-24-2009, 02:42 PM
Just make sure you have a letter from your friend, with his valid DL and his signature visible. To be safe, get it notarized. In case you pull over.

As for liability etc. It is the registered owner's responsibility. If he decides to let you borrow the car, he/she is assuming responsibility. I am sure, he understands accidents happens.
JulyZerg
10-25-2009, 01:30 PM
Interesting stuff hmm...
tonyvu
10-25-2009, 01:51 PM
soo close to hitting that fail button....
JSALES
10-25-2009, 02:06 PM
just don't get into an accident and don't fuck up anything, might as well just not drive it
JulyZerg
10-25-2009, 02:12 PM
I don't doubt the information you guys have given me, but should I call the insurance company or the non-emergency line to ask about this and make sure the rules haven't been changed etc?
LenovoTurbo
10-25-2009, 02:16 PM
I don't doubt the information you guys have given me, but should I call the insurance company or the non-emergency line to ask about this and make sure the rules haven't been changed etc?

Yeah, your best bet is to call up ICBC.
datoad
10-25-2009, 07:56 PM
Yeah, your best bet is to call up ICBC.

lol his best bet is to get his own car
JulyZerg
10-25-2009, 08:00 PM
lol his best bet is to get his own car

I do have my own car, thank you very much :) But his car is a lot nicer ;) and I already drive something pretty nice lol
godwin
10-25-2009, 09:15 PM
Or you can just walk in with your friend to any Autoplan agent.. and add your name in the interim.

I don't doubt the information you guys have given me, but should I call the insurance company or the non-emergency line to ask about this and make sure the rules haven't been changed etc?
jlenko
10-25-2009, 10:32 PM
Why? cause I asked before I drove it? Unlike other people on here that asked for help after they got into trouble with their friends car?

...because everyone on RS is now fail-happy.
impactX
10-25-2009, 11:52 PM
If his friendship means anything to do, a car is not worth jeopardizing it.
bcrdukes
10-26-2009, 12:45 AM
Cars + Money = Women

Just Do It
TypeRNammer
10-26-2009, 04:39 AM
Don't bother unless you put yourself as the primary driver
?NR
10-26-2009, 05:28 PM
Or you can just walk in with your friend to any Autoplan agent.. and add your name in the interim.

best response yet.
Have your friend add you in as a secondary driver.
Edison_Chen
10-26-2009, 09:53 PM
You can only add an additional owner on to the vehicle, which requires you to cancel and change license plates. I don't think there is an temporary change of endorsement to a policy that you can add on.
JeffK
10-26-2009, 11:00 PM
but wouldn't the owner have to change the insurance type???
and if he doesn't.. then gg?

as far as i know, he would only have to change the insurance if he had a specific policy that states no one with less then 10 years driving experience will be driving.

or if he had a leisure only option added... and that just means you can't drive it to work more then 6? days per month.
JulyZerg
10-26-2009, 11:11 PM
as long as he keeps it insured, and you have a valid license then there is no issue.

other then you agreeing who will pay the deductible if/when an accident happens, i can't see any issue.

I'm not aware of any issue with the police as long as its insured and u have a valid license and meet all the normal requirements for driving.

seems simple.

enjoy the car, don't wreck it!

just make sure to clean any stains on the seats :)

This is pretty much BANG-ON. Thanks :)

I called ICBC today and asked them, they said to make sure the kind of insurance he has(leisure/work etc etc) and just follow within his insurances policy. Also asked about accident and stuff, if it's my fault *knock on wood* then his insurance might go up and I'll pay the deductible. If it's the other persons fault then he covers everything.

And if I get pulled over, she recommend me it's best to have his number on my phone or in the car in case the cop doesn't believe me.

JeffK, do you work for ICBC or something? Your information was pretty accurate lol and is there anything I should do or avoid doing while I'm driving his car?
SkunkWorks
10-26-2009, 11:52 PM
What kind of car?
JeffK
10-27-2009, 12:06 AM
JeffK, do you work for ICBC or something? Your information was pretty accurate lol and is there anything I should do or avoid doing while I'm driving his car?

I don't work for 'em, no... but I try to get as cheap insurance as possible :)

I have multiple vehicles, a wife that doesn't drive and i don't drive to work... So I can use just about every possible method ICBC allows to keep things cheap

As for what not to do with the car... just keep the shiny side up and have fun!