Loaning your car

When you are friends with someone, you usually will want to do anything to help them. You may help them by accompanying them to a doctors appointment or even a medical procedure. You bring them soup when they are sick. You watch their kids so they can have a night out. There’s all kinds of things you can do to help friends. 

Here’s two things you shouldn’t do: It’s not a good idea to put a friend on your cell phone plan for obvious reasons. The other thing you shouldn’t do is loan them your car unless you absolutely trust them and know that they are legal to drive and have car insurance. The law doesn’t care about who is driving a car, they care about who owns it. 

If you loan a friend your car, and then they get in a car accident, you are responsible. You are the one that is sued. It doesn’t matter if you are out of the country, it’s still your car. You will be the one who has to pay the damages if they hit someone. You can sue your friend for reimbursement but small claims have a limit you can sue for. 

Another issue with lending your friend your car is if they get tickets, they are tied to your car. You are responsible. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t driving, if they get a parking ticket, you are the one who gets stuck with it. If you don’t pay it, you will be charged penalties. If there are multiple tickets and they aren’t paid, your car may be booted and then possibly towed. Impound and towing fees are expensive. You may even risk losing your license depending on where you are. I know that you want to help a friend but be smart and don’t loan them your car.  In the days of ride share apps, there are ways to get around. Offer them a ride, just not your keys.