I drive friends’ cars occasionally and sometimes rental cars. Someone said I need car insurance - is this true?
Even if you do not own a car, but you borrow a car occasionally and rent them sometimes, it is best to carry some car insurance to protect yourself from potential liability should you have an accident. Without a policy, you are relying on the owner of the vehicle having sufficient car insurance to cover you and any damage you may cause to property or people. If, however, you are driving a car that is either uninsured or has the minimum limits required, you are still opening yourself up to the possibility of facing some serious financial liability. Non-owner car insurance is all about having protection against whatever legal claims the other driver in an accident might have after you have caused him harm.
A car insurance policy for non-owners would include coverage for property damage and bodily injury, possibly uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you are unlucky enough to be hit by an uninsured driver, and medical payments coverage (if you need it) to take care of your own medical bills, if you do not have health insurance in place. It would not include collision or comprehensive coverage to take care of damage to your friend’s car.