A drive other car endorsement can be added to most personal auto insurance policies, though availability and cost depend on your insurer and the type of coverage you already have

A drive other car endorsement (sometimes called "any car coverage" or "drive other vehicle coverage") extends your liability and collision protection to vehicles you don't own — rental cars, borrowed vehicles, or a friend's car. Instead of relying on the owner's insurance when you're behind the wheel of someone else's vehicle, this endorsement makes your own policy the primary coverage.

Not every insurer offers it, and those that do may limit it to certain coverage types or charge different rates depending on how often you expect to drive other vehicles. The endorsement is added through a formal request to your insurance agent or company, usually documented as a change to your policy rather than a separate product.

Key Takeaways

  • Drive other car endorsements cover liability and sometimes collision when you drive a vehicle you don't own, but they do not cover comprehensive damage like theft or weather.
  • Your insurer must approve the endorsement before it takes effect, and some companies do not offer it at all or restrict it based on your driving record.
  • The cost varies by insurer but is typically a modest monthly or annual addition to your premium, often between $5 and $15 per month depending on coverage limits.
  • You must contact your insurance agent or company directly to request the endorsement — it is not a standard feature and must be explicitly added to your policy.
  • This endorsement does not replace the owner's insurance; it layers on top of it, and the owner's policy may still be primary depending on state law and policy language.

What coverage the endorsement actually includes

A drive other car endorsement typically covers liability (damage you cause to other people or property) and collision (damage to the vehicle you're driving if you hit something). It usually does not cover comprehensive coverage, which protects against theft, weather, vandalism, and other non-collision damage. Some insurers bundle it differently, so you need to ask your agent exactly what is and is not covered under the endorsement they offer.

The coverage limits on the endorsement are usually the same as your own policy limits — if you carry $100,000 in liability coverage on your own car, the endorsement typically extends that same $100,000 limit to borrowed vehicles. However, some insurers cap the limits on borrowed-vehicle coverage lower than your personal vehicle limits, so confirm this with your agent before you need it.

One important detail: the endorsement covers you as the driver, not the vehicle owner. If the owner's insurance is also triggered (which it often is), both policies may be involved in a claim, and state law determines which one pays first. In most states, the owner's policy is primary, meaning it pays first, and your endorsement coverage kicks in only if the owner's limits are exhausted.

Which insurers offer drive other car endorsements

Major carriers like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive all offer some form of drive other car coverage, but the details and availability vary. State Farm calls it "Drive Other Car Coverage," Allstate offers "Any Car Coverage," and some smaller or regional insurers may not offer it at all. Before you request it, confirm with your insurer that they provide it and ask whether any restrictions explore based on your age, driving record, or the types of vehicles you plan to drive.

Some insurers restrict the endorsement to drivers over a certain age (often 25 or older) or exclude it for drivers with recent accidents or violations. A few carriers limit it to rental cars only, excluding borrowed personal vehicles. These restrictions are not universal — they depend entirely on the company's underwriting rules, so you must ask your specific insurer what their policy is.

How to request the endorsement and what happens next

Contact your insurance agent or your insurer's customer service line and ask to add a drive other car endorsement to your policy. You will need to provide basic information: your driver's license number, the types of vehicles you expect to drive (rental, borrowed, etc.), and how frequently you expect to drive other cars. Some insurers ask whether you have regular access to another vehicle or whether this is occasional.

The insurer will review your request and driving record. If approved, they will issue an endorsement document (a formal amendment to your policy) that outlines the coverage, limits, and any exclusions. This endorsement becomes part of your policy and should be kept with your other insurance documents. The effective date is usually the date you request it, though some insurers require a waiting period of a few days.

If your insurer denies the request, they must tell you why — usually because of your driving record, age, or because they straightforward do not offer the product. In that case, you can ask whether they offer any alternative coverage for borrowed vehicles, or you can shop for a different insurer that does offer the endorsement.

Cost and how it affects your premium

The cost of a drive other car endorsement is typically modest — usually between $5 and $15 per month, though this varies significantly by insurer, your age, driving record, and the coverage limits you choose. Some companies charge a flat annual fee instead of a monthly addition. A few insurers include basic drive other car coverage at no extra cost for certain customer segments, so it is worth asking whether you may have access to.

The endorsement does not usually trigger a rate increase on your existing coverage — it is an add-on that costs what the insurer charges for it, separate from your base premium. However, if you have a poor driving record, some insurers may charge more for the endorsement or decline to offer it altogether. The best way to know the exact cost is to ask your agent for a quote before you commit.

When you might need this endorsement

A drive other car endorsement is most useful if you regularly borrow vehicles from friends or family, frequently rent cars for work or travel, or use car-sharing services like Zipcar. It is also valuable if you are between vehicles — for example, if your car is in the shop and you need to drive a loaner from the dealership. Without the endorsement, you would be relying entirely on the owner's insurance, which may have lower limits or may deny coverage if the owner did not explicitly permit you to drive the vehicle.

If you only occasionally drive someone else's car and the owner has adequate insurance, the endorsement may not be necessary. However, if you are ever at fault in an accident while driving a borrowed vehicle and the owner's coverage is insufficient, you could face a personal liability claim. The endorsement protects you in that scenario by ensuring your own policy covers the gap.

Alternatives if your insurer does not offer the endorsement

If your current insurer does not offer a drive other car endorsement, you have a few options. You can shop for a different insurer that does — many major carriers offer it, so switching may be worth the effort if you need this coverage. You can also rely on the owner's insurance when you drive their vehicle, though this leaves you exposed if their coverage is inadequate or if they did not disclose that you would be driving the car.

Some people purchase short-term rental car insurance when they rent a vehicle, which covers collision and liability for that specific rental. This is not a substitute for an endorsement on your own policy, but it can fill the gap for occasional rentals. If you use car-sharing services frequently, check whether your membership includes liability coverage — many do, though the limits may be lower than you would want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a drive other car endorsement cover rental cars?

Yes, most endorsements cover rental cars, though some insurers restrict coverage to certain rental companies or exclude luxury or specialty vehicles. Ask your insurer whether rental cars are included and whether there are any exclusions before you add the endorsement.

Will the endorsement cover me if I borrow a friend's car without their permission?

No. The endorsement covers you when you drive a vehicle with the owner's permission. If you drive without permission, neither your endorsement nor the owner's insurance will cover you, and you could face both civil and criminal liability.

What happens if both my policy and the owner's policy are involved in a claim?

In most states, the owner's insurance is primary and pays first. Your drive other car endorsement is secondary and covers any remaining liability or damage up to your policy limits. The claims process can be complex, so contact both insurers when ready after an accident.

Can I add a drive other car endorsement if I have a poor driving record?

Some insurers will not offer the endorsement to drivers with recent accidents or violations, while others will offer it at a higher cost. Ask your insurer whether you are may be able to access and what the cost would be before you request it.

Does the endorsement cover damage to the borrowed vehicle?

A drive other car endorsement typically covers collision damage to the borrowed vehicle, but not comprehensive damage like theft or weather damage. Confirm the exact coverage with your insurer, as some companies structure it differently.