Friends are people with whom you share trust, loyalty, and sometimes you share everything that comes along: the good times and the not-so-good. Should You Lend Your Car To A Friend? What about the car? Is it a consideration to let your best friend borrow it without hesitation? We thought so, which is why we asked our Instagram community: Our respondents also affirmed the strength of friendships, although not everyone seems comfortable with the idea of handing over the keys to their prized possession. Read on to know more.
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Should You Lend Your Car to a Friend: The Poll Results
Out of the total, 46% said they could entrust their car to a best friend while 32% said no, and 22% were still unsure.
Although half of the people are willing to hand over their cars to their friends, there are several things to consider before lending.
8 Things to consider before lending your car to your friend
Check your insurance policy. Whenever you permit your friend to drive your car, he or she will be classified as a “permissive driver.” Generally, your insurance covers accidents that occur due to permissive drivers. Nevertheless, the coverage is subject to the age and license status of the driver. In case your friend often uses your car, we advise you to add his name to your car insurance policy.
Always ensure that your friend’s license is valid by checking the validity of their driver’s license before you let them take your car and drive. Driving without a license may lead to various liabilities like fines, court action, and even possible insurance problems by the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988.
Discuss liability for damages during driving and fine payment beforehand. Seriously, do not skip this step! In India, in the name of “yaari dosti” or friendship, people often avoid discussing these terms, but open communication of these terms will help prevent conflicts and miscommunication.
But tell about the destination where your friend is going to take your car. Tell any kind of restrictions in driving, such as off-road areas, no speeding, and no snacking inside the car, and so on. Defining the usage of your car will help you prepare and know when your car will return home.
Before your friend uses your car, inspect for any damage that may be there.
Take pictures from different sides to preserve any pre-existing dents or scratches. As silly as it sounds, this too is one of the pre-checks to ensure peace of mind for both parties and to prevent future misunderstandings.
Keep your insurance records, emergency contact details, registration certificate, and PUC in your glove box. These records will help your friend, should he be caught by a traffic police officer. Moreover, emergency contact numbers will enable your friend to provide the necessary information to a person who shows an interest in him in case of a breakdown or accident.
Discuss gas expenses as well as car cleanliness with the owner. Decide whether to return the car with a full tank of fuel or if other arrangements are satisfactory.
Note: Remember that since the car is under your name, you will still be answerable to the authorities in case your car meets with an accident, causes damages, or any legal grievance arises.
But if you are one of the 32 percent of poll respondents who do not want to lend their cars, here is what you can do without offending the friend.
You may as well invoke family rules. For instance, you may say, “Abba nahin manenge” (just kidding) or perhaps, “My father needs my car in his office.”
The other is by car problems. It is possible to let them down, even a bit tactfully, over car problems. This may include saying that the car is not usable at present or needs some upkeep. For instance, “I’d like to lend you the thing, but it’s due for servicing and hasn’t been running well recently.”
Lending a car to a friend is more than just handing over the keys. It requires some careful judgments regarding a host of factors; there are several significant risks involved. Now, how would you act if your friend asked to borrow your car? Share with us in the comments!
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