Generally speaking, the insurance contract is established between the owner of the car and the insurer. The question then arises which concerns occasional or secondary drivers. Are they covered in the event of a claim?
–
Is an occasional or secondary driver covered in the event of an accident?
Before the signature of the insurance contract, the insurer explains in detail the clauses and terms mentioned in the document. It will provide clarification on the concept of main and secondary driver.
The first logically concerns the person who takes out the insurance. It is the owner and both driver of the vehicle. If this is not the case, the main driver will be the one who drives the automobile the most often. During this explanation, it will also be mentioned the existence or absence of an exclusivity clause. If indeed such a clause exists, the car can only be driven by the insured. In the event of non-compliance with this condition, the insurance company may refuse to cover damage caused or suffered by the occasional driver.
On the other hand, it is possible to designate secondary drivers in the contract. It can be a loved one: child, spouse, etc. Other people outside the family can also be declared to be covered by the insurance. Please note that the insurance premium may increase depending on the number and experience of the persons designated.
What about support?
First of all, you should know that some insurance companies require the declaration of the loan of the vehicle in advance. In the event of a defect, certain guarantees may be withdrawn. Other companies do not have this requirement, and do not even apply a surcharge. These parameters must therefore be taken into account before signing the contract. With regard to the care after a disaster, two situations can arise:
- The first case concerns insurance companies that do not differentiate between the main driver and the occasional driver. Thus, the guarantees offered in the insurance contract are the same for each type of driver unless clauses provide otherwise. Therefore, claim coverage is similar regardless of who drives the car. An exception may exist in certain contracts when the occasional driver is at fault. It benefits from third party or civil liability cover. However, some contracts provide for the exclusion of bodily injury suffered by the occasional driver at fault.
- The second case concerns occasional declared or undeclared drivers. A declared occasional driver naturally benefits from the same coverage as that of the owner of the car. On the other hand, the conditions of assumption of responsibility can change if the person is not declared whereas the insurer had warned on this point. The latter can practice the forfeiture of many guarantees. He may even refuse to take charge of the claim.
In short, you have to check the terms of the insurance contract before lending or borrowing a car.
Read also :
–
