Borrowing a friend’s car always feels harmless. You pop to the shops, maybe fetch takeaways, take it through a sneaky car wash so they think you’re a responsible human. It’s all fun and games until you give their bumper a new shape.
At that moment your soul leaves your body, your bank balance packs its bags, and you start asking the universe to magically rewind time. But let’s talk about what actually happens, because sadly the universe is notorious for leaving you on read.
First things first, whose insurance applies
In South Africa, car insurance follows the car, not the driver. That means if your friend has cover, their policy usually steps in when you crash their car. Good news, right? Well… Slow down, Schumacher.
Their insurer will still want to know:
- Did they give you permission to drive?
- Were you driving legally?
- Are you the regular driver they forgot to mention?
- Were you doing anything questionable like speeding, texting or recreating Fast & Furious scenes?
If the answer to any of these is a yes, the claim could get messy.
If your friend has comprehensive cover
Congratulations, this is the least dramatic option. Their insurer will normally cover:
- Damage to the car.
- Damage you caused to someone else’s property.
- Towing and emergency costs if their cover includes it.
But here’s the twist… Your friend will still need to pay the excess, and their future premiums may change. So yes, technically their insurance pays, but socially, emotionally, and financially you might want to contribute unless you’d like to lose that friend forever.
But what if you were driving illegally
Then it’s game over, no insurer wants drama. Cases like these include if you were:
- Drunk.
- High.
- Without a valid licence.
- Using the car for business when it wasn’t insured for that purpose.
- Drifting in a parking lot.
No insurer will pay. Both you and your friend might be left footing massive bills with no backup and possibly a new criminal record. Not recommended.
How to avoid this friendship-ending situation
Here’s how to keep both your friendship and your bank balance intact:
- Only drive someone’s car with full permission.
- Make sure you’re legally allowed to drive.
- Ask what insurance they have.
- Drive slowly like you have a potjie in the boot.
- Encourage your friend to get proper cover if they don’t have any.
Where King Price fits into all this
If your friend had comprehensive car insurance with King Price, they’d enjoy cover that actually makes sense. No complicated nonsense. No premium surprises. Just simple, cheap insurance fit for royalty.
And if you’re the car owner in this scenario and don’t want to rely on your friend’s driving skills or luck, get the king on your side. With decreasing premiums that drop monthly, roadside assist, and real cover that works when you need it, you’ll sleep like a baby. Get a quote in minutes, and secure peace of mind.
FAQs
1. Does my licence need to be valid if I drive someone else’s car?
Yes. If your licence isn’t valid, no insurer will pay. Not your friend’s, not yours, not anybody’s.
2. Can my friend claim if I was the one driving?
If you had permission and were driving legally, yes.
3. Who pays the excess after the accident?
The policyholder pays the excess. Many friends agree to split it.
4. What if I borrow my friend’s car often?
Then you might need to be listed as a regular driver so the policy stays valid.
5. Will the insurer pay if I didn’t have permission to drive?
No. That’s basically borrowing without asking. The insurer treats it as unauthorised use.