Accident with someone else's car: Who pays if the car isn't insured in my name?
12 Jun 2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
An accident is always a stressful situation, especially if the car is not insured in your name. Find out here what consequences you might face and how to act correctly to avoid financial and legal pitfalls.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Driving without any insurance coverage is a criminal offence with severe fines or imprisonment; both drivers and owners are liable.
If the car is insured but the driver is not registered, the insurance usually covers the opponent's damage, but there is a risk of contractual penalties and claims for recourse.
Always clarify the insurance coverage before starting a journey with a vehicle that is not your own, and ensure you are listed as a driver if using it regularly.
Quick Overview: Key Points for an Accident with a Car Not Insured to You
A car not insured for me accident can quickly become complicated. The key factor initially is whether there is any insurance coverage for the vehicle at all. Lack of coverage has serious consequences for both the driver and the owner. If insurance is in place, it usually also covers a driver who is not listed, although often with consequences for the policyholder. The determination of fault significantly influences who ultimately bears the cost of the damage. In Germany, motor vehicle insurance is mandatory, and a violation of this requirement is a criminal offense.
Scenario one: Accident with a vehicle that is not insured at all
Driving without any insurance coverage is a criminal offense in Germany under paragraph six of the compulsory insurance law. The consequences are significant and affect both the driver and the owner of the vehicle. Fines of up to one hundred and eighty daily rates or imprisonment of up to one year may be imposed. A daily rate usually corresponds to one thirtieth of the monthly net income; with a net income of three thousand euros, the fine can therefore amount to eighteen thousand euros. Particularly serious: In the event of an accident, the driver is personally and indefinitely liable with their entire assets for all resulting personal, property, and financial damages. If the perpetrator cannot pay, the Traffic Victim Assistance may step in, but later recovers the money from the offender. In addition to the financial consequences, there are up to six points in Flensburg and possibly a driver's license revocation. These regulations highlight the importance of valid car insurance.
Scenario two: Accident with a borrowed, but insured vehicle – driver not registered
If you cause an accident with a vehicle that is insured but you are not listed as a driver in the insurance policy, the situation is different from driving without any coverage. The vehicle owner's liability insurance usually initially covers the accident opponent's damage. This is an important protection for the accident victim. However, the policyholder must be prepared for consequences. Insurers may impose a penalty, often equivalent to a full year's premium. Additionally, premium back payments for the period of unreported use are common. In some cases, the insurer may even cancel the policy or increase the deductible for comprehensive damages. It is also possible that the insurer might make recourse claims against the unregistered driver, recovering part of the compensation amount. An exception often exists in emergencies, such as having to drive someone due to a medical emergency. The exact regulations are always found in the General Terms and Conditions of Insurance (GTCI) of the respective contract. More information on the topic Driver not registered can be found on our blog. Communication with the insurer is crucial here.
Practical cases and recommendations for action: How to respond correctly in the event of damage
Imagine borrowing a friend's car for a move and causing a small parking bump. The damage to the other vehicle is one thousand five hundred euros. If the car is insured but you are not listed as a driver, your friend's insurance will cover the damage. However, your friend may face a penalty of possibly five hundred euros and an additional premium charge. A clear agreement in advance is therefore invaluable. Our expert tip: Always check the insurance cover and who is listed as a driver before you set off. If you frequently use someone else's vehicle, the policyholder should list you as an additional driver. This might slightly increase the premium but avoids hefty penalties in case of damage. Document every accident carefully: take photos, note witness details, and fill out a European accident report. Report the damage to the insurance immediately. Information on insurance cover for other drivers is often helpful. These steps help speed up the process.
Secure the accident scene (hazard warning lights, warning triangle).
Provide first aid if there are injuries and dial emergency services (112).
Exchange details with the other party involved (name, address, insurance, registration number).
Fill out a European accident report if available.
Take photos of the accident scene and the damage.
Do not admit fault at the scene.
Report the damage promptly to the vehicle owner and their insurer.
If the insurance cover is unclear or there is suspicion of driving without insurance, inform the police.
Accurate documentation is essential for the later settlement.
Risk Minimisation: How to Avoid Problems When Lending a Vehicle
To avoid trouble with an accident where the car is not insured for me, taking precautions is crucial. Clarify the insurance coverage before driving someone else's vehicle. The vehicle owner should be able to confirm that a valid motor liability insurance exists and whether you are covered as a driver. For regular use, being added to the owner’s policy as a named driver is the safest solution. This often costs only a small surcharge of perhaps five to ten percent, depending on the additional driver’s age and experience. For occasional use, some insurers offer a temporary driver extension, often even for just a few days. A written loan agreement clarifying liability issues is also advisable, especially for longer loans or valuable vehicles. It should at least include the duration of the loan and the details of both parties. Also check if there is a comprehensive insurance that covers damage to the borrowed vehicle itself. Without this, you or the owner would bear these costs if you cause an accident. A thorough check beforehand prevents nasty surprises.
Clarify the following points before borrowing a vehicle:
Is there a valid motor liability insurance?
Am I named as a driver on the insurance certificate or covered by the named driver list?
What excess applies to liability and comprehensive damage?
Is there a comprehensive insurance covering damage to the borrowed vehicle?
Are there any exclusions in the insurance policy (e.g., driving under the influence of alcohol)?
Will any contractual penalties or premium increases in the event of a claim be borne by the borrower?
Should a written loan agreement be drawn up to address these points?
This checklist helps you consider the most important insurance-related aspects.
nextsure by your side: Personalised advice for optimal protection
The complexity of insurance matters, especially in the event of a claim, can be overwhelming. At nextsure, we understand that every situation is unique. Our mission is to offer you tailored and easily understandable insurance solutions. If you are uncertain about your current insurance coverage or have questions regarding "Car not insured by me accident", we are here to assist you with our expertise. We analyze your individual situation and help you find the appropriate protection, whether it's for your own vehicle or if you plan to occasionally use someone else's car. Good coverage gives you the necessary peace of mind in traffic. We offer you comprehensive advice on niche insurance and individual protection solutions. Contact us for a free review of your insurance situation.
More useful links
Gesetze im Internet offers the full text of the German Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG), which forms the legal basis for motor vehicle liability insurance.
Verwaltung.Bund.de provides official information from the German federal administration about the rights and obligations related to the vehicle owner.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides current statistics on vehicles in Germany, giving insights into the vehicle fleet and registrations.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) offers comprehensive statistics on traffic accidents in Germany, including causes and consequences of accidents.
Statistikportal.de presents the interactive accident atlas, visualising detailed georeferenced data on traffic accidents in Germany.
FAQ
Mein Auto ist nicht auf mich versichert und ich hatte einen Unfall – was sind die ersten Schritte?
Sichern Sie die Unfallstelle, leisten Sie Erste Hilfe falls nötig, und rufen Sie die Polizei, besonders bei Personenschäden oder unklarer Schuldfrage. Informieren Sie umgehend den Fahrzeughalter und dessen Versicherung. Dokumentieren Sie den Unfall genau (Fotos, Zeugen, Unfallbericht).
Deckt meine private Haftpflichtversicherung Schäden ab, wenn ich mit einem fremden Auto einen Unfall baue?
Nein, in der Regel nicht. Schäden, die durch den Gebrauch von Kraftfahrzeugen entstehen, sind üblicherweise von der privaten Haftpflichtversicherung ausgeschlossen. Hierfür ist die Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung des Fahrzeugs zuständig.
Was bedeutet „Regress“ im Zusammenhang mit einem nicht eingetragenen Fahrer?
Regress bedeutet, dass die Kfz-Versicherung nach der Schadenregulierung einen Teil der Kosten vom nicht eingetragenen Fahrer zurückfordern kann. Die Höhe ist oft in den Versicherungsbedingungen begrenzt, kann aber mehrere tausend Euro betragen.
Kann ich ein Auto fahren, wenn ich nicht im Versicherungsschein stehe?
Das Fahren ist möglich, aber nicht empfehlenswert, wenn Sie nicht im Fahrerkreis eingeschlossen sind. Im Schadensfall zahlt die Versicherung zwar meist den Schaden des Dritten, es kann aber teuer für den Versicherungsnehmer werden (Vertragsstrafe, Hochstufung, Kündigung) und eventuell auch für Sie (Regress).
Wie kann ich mich als Fahrer eines fremden Autos absichern?
Sprechen Sie vor der Fahrt mit dem Fahrzeughalter. Idealerweise werden Sie als Fahrer in die Police aufgenommen oder es wird eine temporäre Fahrererweiterung abgeschlossen. Ein schriftlicher Leihvertrag kann zusätzlich Haftungsfragen klären.
Was ist die Verkehrsopferhilfe und wann leistet sie?
Die Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V. ist eine Einrichtung der deutschen Autoversicherer. Sie springt ein, wenn z.B. der Unfallverursacher nicht ermittelt werden kann, Fahrerflucht begeht oder keine Versicherung hat und den Schaden nicht selbst bezahlen kann.
