Updated: December 20, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
You can drive your parents' car without your own insurance through permissive use coverage, which only covers temporary use.
Permissive use won't cover regular driving, work use or high-risk activities like racing.
Regular use requires adding you to their parents' car insurance policy to avoid claim denials.
Permissive use coverage from your parents' insurance covers you when you borrow their car occasionally with permission. Coverage applies differently depending on the situation, who's at fault and how often you drive the vehicle.
If you regularly commute with your parent's car, you'll need to join your parents' policy as a named driver. Call your parents' insurer to clarify the rules before making it a habit.
Here's how your parents' car insurance and the concept of "permissive use" may apply in each of these scenarios.
Scenario | Does Your Parents' Car Insurance Cover You? |
|---|---|
I drove with permission but hit another car. | Yes, your parents' liability coverage would apply (liability coverage doesn't have a deductible). If they have collision coverage, it covers damage to their car, minus the deductible. |
I drove with permission, but another driver hit me. | Yes. The permissive use clause should apply. If the other driver is at fault but uninsured or underinsured, your parents' policy may help cover the damage. |
I drove without permission and hit another car. | Maybe. The insurer might initially pay for the damage, but could later deny the claim or raise premiums due to unauthorized use. |
I drove without permission, and another driver hit me. | Maybe. Coverage depends on the insurer. Lack of permission could complicate or limit the claim, especially if there's a dispute. |
I drive my parents' car every weekend. | This likely exceeds occasional use limits. Most insurers consider weekly use regular and may require you to be added to the policy to maintain full coverage. |
I'm a college student using my parents' car on campus. | Covered in most cases if you're listed as an occasional driver. Some insurers offer away-from-home discounts for students without cars at school. Check if your parents' policy covers you in your college state. |
I drove with permission to Canada or Mexico. | Varies by destination. U.S. policies often cover short trips to Canada. Mexico requires separate Mexican insurance, and driving without it leaves you completely uninsured. |
Whether the permissive use clause applies can depend on the details of the insurance policy, state laws and how the insurer interprets the situation. Review the policy and check directly with the insurance provider when in doubt.
Permissive use coverage has specific exclusions that can leave you completely uninsured. These restrictions apply even with your parents' permission.
Violating any of these conditions means you're driving uninsured, exposing both you and your parents to liability. Medical bills, property damage and legal costs come out of pocket when permissive use exclusions apply.
Driving their car daily, like for school or work, is viewed as "regular use." Regular drivers should be on the policy. College students driving regularly on campus also fall into this category and must be added to the policy.
If you're intentionally left off their policy, perhaps due to past incidents, you won't be covered, even with permission. An excluded driver is someone removed explicitly from coverage.
Using the vehicle for jobs, like deliveries or ride-sharing, may void coverage.
Some policies limit where the vehicle can be driven. If you took their car on a road trip to Mexico or Canada, coverage might not apply.
If you're using the vehicle for something risky, like racing, the insurance won't cover any mishaps.
Some policies may not include permissive use or have stricter terms.
Permissive use works at any legal driving age when you live at a different address from your parents and borrow their car occasionally. If you live with your parents, most insurers require you to be on their policy as either a covered or excluded driver.
Driving your parents' car regularly without being listed on their policy creates serious financial risks:
Ready to graduate from occasional borrowing to regular driving? The smart move for young drivers is to join your parents' policy instead of going solo. Teen drivers especially benefit from this approach; we're talking thousands in savings compared to individual policies.
Important: Teens under 18 need a parent or guardian to co-sign any insurance policy, making family coverage the practical choice anyway.
Want the full breakdown? Check out our detailed guide on adding a child to car insurance for age-specific costs and insurer comparisons.
| AAA | $7,662 | $638 |
| AIG | $8,139 | $678 |
| Allstate | $9,212 | $768 |
| Amica | $4,991 | $416 |
| Chubb | $5,578 | $465 |
| Farmers | $11,102 | $925 |
| Geico | $6,583 | $549 |
| Kemper | $11,078 | $923 |
| National General | $6,228 | $519 |
| Nationwide | $6,632 | $553 |
| Progressive | $10,906 | $909 |
| State Farm | $5,324 | $444 |
| The Hartford | $10,209 | $851 |
| Travelers | $6,222 | $518 |
| UAIC | $6,256 | $521 |
| USAA | $3,988 | $332 |
Permissive use coverage lets you borrow your parents' car occasionally without your own insurance. This coverage excludes regular commuting, work activities and high-risk use like racing. Contact your parents' insurer to verify its occasional use limits and confirm you're covered. If you drive their car regularly, such as weekly or more, get added to their policy as a named driver to avoid claim denials and out-of-pocket accident costs.
We answered some frequently asked questions below to guide you through various scenarios when driving your parents' car without insurance:
Yes, permissive use coverage extends to any vehicle you drive with the owner's permission, not just your parents' car. The owner's insurance becomes primary coverage when you have a valid license and explicit permission. Check coverage details with the vehicle owner before driving; some policies exclude certain drivers or limit occasional use. Learn more about driving someone else's car without insurance in various scenarios.
Yes, your parents' policy covers you in other states when their home remains your permanent address. College students can stay on their parents' policy while attending out-of-state schools. Tell your parents' insurer where the car is garaged; location affects rates and some states require additional coverage types.
Daily commuting exceeds occasional use limits and requires being added to your parents' policy. Using your parents' car for work-related activities like deliveries, ridesharing, or business travel may void coverage entirely, as personal auto policies exclude commercial use. Add yourself as a named driver if you commute regularly or get your own policy with appropriate work-use coverage.
Occasional use means borrowing your parents' car infrequently for errands, emergencies or social events, which can be a few times per month. Regular use includes daily commuting, weekly trips to campus or any predictable schedule where you're the primary driver. The exact threshold varies by insurer, with some allowing up to 12 uses annually while others draw the line at twice weekly. Contact your parents' insurer for its specific definition.
We pulled auto insurance quotes from major insurers using Quadrant Information Services, analyzing data from over 200 million rate comparisons across every residential ZIP code nationwide.
Our base profile includes a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with 100/300/100 liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, a $1,000 deductible and a clean driving record.
We adjusted this profile across nine age groups (16-24) to show exactly how premiums change as young drivers mature. Adding a teen to your car insurance costs anywhere from $4,000 to $11,000 extra annually, depending on the insurer and the teen's age.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
