If your car is damaged in an accident, or if you don’t have a car and you need one, one of your best options is borrowing a car from a friend or family member. But before you follow through with this plan, there are some important tips you’ll need to follow.
Why Borrowing a Car Is More Complicated Than It Seems
Borrowing a car is no big deal, right?
In some ways, yes. This is a simple transaction and it doesn’t need to be unnecessarily complicated. But you also need to understand that how you borrow a car can impact many important things.
If you borrow the car irresponsibly, it could put you at risk of harm or death, and potentially make you liable for damages you cause in an accident. If you don’t follow the correct etiquette of borrowing a car, you might end up offending the lender and making it impossible for you to borrow their car in the future.
Even worse, if you’re not considerate when borrowing a car, you might strain your friendship or relationship.
Tips for Borrowing a Car
These are some of the most important tips for borrowing a car:
- Ask early. If you can, ask to borrow the car as early as possible. You never know when your friend might have plans for the vehicle, so it’s polite and considerate to ask well in advance. If it’s currently 3:00 and you need the car by 3:30, don’t be surprised if you face rejection. If you ask to borrow the car next week, or better yet, next month, you’re much more likely to get a yes.
- Talk about insurance. Think carefully about insurance. Who is lending you this car and do they have a car insurance policy in place? What is covered in this car insurance policy, and are you covered as a guest driver? If the insurance coverage doesn’t cover you, or if you’re not satisfied with the coverage available, consider getting temporary additional car insurance. Not only is insurance legally required in many areas, but it also affords you significant financial and liability protections.
- Set mutual expectations. Before you commit to borrowing the car and before the lender commits to lending it to you, set mutual expectations about this arrangement. How long are you going to have this car? Where are you going to drive it and how far are you going to drive it? Are there any specific requirements for using this car or keeping it running? Is there anything you should know about the safety and performance of this vehicle?
- Follow the rules and conditions. Once the vehicle is in your hands, make sure to follow all the rules and conditions as stipulated by the owner. For example, if they ask you not to smoke in the car, don’t smoke in it. If they ask you to only use a certain type of gasoline, only use that type of gasoline.
- Inspect the vehicle. You don’t have to undergo a full vehicle safety inspection, but it’s a good idea to casually inspect the vehicle before you attempt to drive it. For example, you can check the treads on the tires to make sure there’s still enough tread to retain control of the vehicle. You can also make sure that all the lights are working and that you can control them reliably, especially if you plan on driving at night.
- Take a test drive. Before you take this vehicle on any extended journey, it’s wise to take a test drive in a parking lot or an infrequently trafficked neighborhood street. This way, you can proactively identify any peculiarities of driving this vehicle and get some practice in before the stakes are higher.
- Take extra precautions when driving. This isn’t your vehicle, so it’s important to take some extra precautions when you’re driving it. Driving a bit slower than usual, increasing your following distance, and limiting your distractions to the absolute minimum are all great ideas.
- Always secure the vehicle. If and when you park your borrowed vehicle, make sure you secure the vehicle. It’s a good idea to hide all your valuables so criminals aren’t tempted to break into it; it’s also important to lock the vehicle and, if it’s on an incline, set the manual parking brake.
- Fuel up. It’s a gesture of gratitude to refuel the vehicle before returning it – and it’s also a major convenience for the lender. Even if this isn’t something you’ve discussed in advance, consider filling up the tank before dropping off the vehicle. At the very least, return the fuel level to where it was when you picked it up.
- Offer a return favor. Consider offering a favor to the car lender in return. You can lend them your car in the future, take them out to dinner, or just buy them a small gift as a token of your gratitude.
If you’re able to borrow a car following these tips and strategies, you and your friend are both going to be far more comfortable with this transaction. You’ll be able to drive safer and more confidently, you’ll preserve your relationship, and you’ll be in a position to borrow a car from them in the future, should the need arise.
