Agent, Rural Mutual Insurance Co., Union Grove, WI
If your state requires auto insurance, then it is going to be up to the dealership whether or not they wish to take on the risk of damage with a person that does not have their own coverage. Even if the dealership lets you test drive the vehicle with out insurance they will more than likely require you to have optained certain coverage limits before driving off with the vehicle. Also if you have a loan on the vehicle the lender will more than likely require a certain level of coverage in order to keep the loan in good standing. Protect yourself, have coverage before test driving a vehicle.
Account Executive, Samuelson Insurance Agency, Portage, IN
An auto dealership will most likely carry the insurance required to allow test drives. In the event of a loss/accident, the claim would fall back onto the insurance of the dealership. Consequently, if the insurance company is able to prove negligence on behalf of the driver, they may very well turn around and subrogate against the driver for the damages.
As for personal auto policies, insurance will travel with the vehicle in most circumstances. If you are a private-seller it would be wise to check with your insurance agent prior to letting anyone drive your vehicle. The wording in auto policies can vary greatly from company to company and it is always best to err on the side of caution when dealing with insurance.
If you are looking at a private party sold vehicle and you do not own and insure another vehicle, beware! Assuming the seller has the vehicle insured, you as driver may or may not be insured for liability if you are fault in a test drive accident. However many insurance companies offer what's called a "non-ownership" policy providing the coverage when driving a car not owned. The policy provides liability coverage, but will not cover physical damage to the car be driven.
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As for personal auto policies, insurance will travel with the vehicle in most circumstances. If you are a private-seller it would be wise to check with your insurance agent prior to letting anyone drive your vehicle. The wording in auto policies can vary greatly from company to company and it is always best to err on the side of caution when dealing with insurance.