What to be aware of when lending a car to family or friends in France
Vehicle insurance policies include specific clauses detailing who is authorised to borrow it
In certain cases you may need to contact your insurance company to amend your contract
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If you own a car in France it is completely legal to lend the vehicle to another person, such as a friend or family member, provided that driver is authorised under your insurance policy.
“When it comes to car insurance, it is the vehicle that is insured, not the person driving it,” states the French government website, ServicePublic.
Driving an uninsured vehicle in France is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of €750 plus additional penalties. It could also mean that your driving licence is suspended and your vehicle gets impounded.
All insurance policies include specific clauses relating to the possibility of lending the vehicle. Restrictions vary between policies, as do limitations, guarantees, and insurance excess.
It is important to check your insurance contract before lending your car, and to contact the insurance company if you have any doubts.
What common policy restrictions exist?
Some policies will allow anyone with a valid driving licence to borrow the vehicle with ‘unrestricted loan’, meaning that you will not be charged a higher excess in the event of a claim.
Other policies may add an increased excess or franchise, meaning that you will be charged a higher rate if you do make an insurance claim.
Note in the event of an accident, the insurance penalty is always applied to the vehicle’s owner, even if they were not the one driving.
You may also find that your insurance policy includes a total ban on lending your vehicle, or restricts the type of driver who can borrow it. In certain cases, you may not be allowed to lend a car to:
New drivers (usually defined as having passed their driving test within the last three years),
Third parties, except partners, relatives and family members.
If the third party is not covered by your current policy, you can amend this by asking your insurer to add them as a ‘secondary’ or ‘occasional’ driver. Doing so may incur additional fees.
Must I tell my insurance company that I am lending my vehicle?
Insurance companies generally allow you to lend your car to another driver for occasional use, provided this driver meets any policy restrictions (see above). In these cases you are not required to contact your insurer.
However, if you intend to lend your vehicle to someone else on a regular basis (several times a week), or if you plan to lend the vehicle for an extended period of time, you must notify your insurer so that they can modify the insurance contract.
What documents must the third-party driver carry with them?
Since April 2024 drivers are no longer required to carry an insurance certificate. Police can check a vehicle’s insurance status by scanning its number plate and consulting the electronic Fichier des véhicules assurés (record of insured vehicles).
If the driver of your borrowed vehicle is pulled over for a roadside check they must present:
What checks should I make before lending my vehicle?
As well as respecting your insurance policy, it is generally advised that you should only lend your car to someone you know and trust, and who is both legally and physically fit to drive.
As an additional formality, you can choose to keep a written record of the information surrounding the loan, such as the identity of the driver and the dates on which they are authorised to borrow the vehicle. This can then be signed by both parties and could serve as useful evidence in the event of a dispute, fine or accident.
