Who is responsible for a crash during a test drive?

Normally, the dealership will be responsible for paying for any test drive crashes and will do so through its own insurer. However, if the test drive accident was your fault, the dealership may attempt to collect reimbursement from you.

Do car dealers have insurance for test drives?

Yes. Whether you’re buying from a dealership or private seller, you typically don’t need to show proof of insurance on a test drive. A dealer’s insurance will usually cover unexpected damage or physical injuries that occur during test drives if their vehicle is in an accident.

Can I test drive a car that has no insurance?

You can’t test drive a car without insurance and the police will not accept ‘I’m test driving a new car’ as an excuse for not having insurance. Most recognised dealers will have insurance in place that will cover you on a test drive. Short term insurance offers comprehensive cover that’s perfect for test drives.

How do you protect yourself from test driving a car?

Use your smartphone to take a picture of the test driver holding their driver’s license near their face. Then, take a picture of the driver’s license by itself and email or text it to another person. That’s especially important if you are going to be on the test drive alone. It’s an additional layer of protection.

What happens to your insurance when you test drive a car?

Just as when you cause an accident while driving a rental car, during a test drive your personal car insurance transfers to the vehicle you are test driving, so whatever coverage you have in place with respect to your own vehicle will apply to the car you are test driving.

What happens if you test drive a car at a dealership?

A good rule of thumb to follow is that the insurance policy usually stays with the car. So, for most states, your personal auto insurance covers your vehicle, and a dealership’s car is covered by their insurance policy — meaning if you get into an accident while test driving a car at the dealership, it’ll most likely be covered by their insurance.

What happens if a test driver is injured during an accident?

If the test driver’s negligence caused the accident and the salesperson or the other driver were injured in the accident, they may make a personal injury claim on your auto liability insurance policy. It will cover for the damages up to its limit, and if it is not enough, other policies may kick in. The Dealership’s Insurance.

Does fleet insurance cover accidents during test drives?

Fleet insurance will typically cover all damages resulting from an accident that occurs during a test drive, regardless of who was at fault. When a test drive accident is minor, the dealership will often just absorb the costs associated with the accident through its fleet insurance, especially if the dealership wants the test driver’s business.