Can You Lend Your Car to a Friend Who Isn't on Your Insurance?

Have you ever lent your car to a friend and then found yourself wondering whether you were actually covered? In Marbella and along the Costa del Sol, it happens more often than you might think — especially in summer, when friends come to visit and need to get around.

The good news is that lending your car is perfectly legal. But there are a few things worth knowing before you hand over the keys.

What does your insurance say when someone else is driving?

In Spain, every vehicle must have at least third-party insurance — that is, the basic cover that responds to any damage you may cause to other people or their property.

Most policies cover any driver with a valid licence, even if they are not named on the policy, provided the use is occasional. A weekend loan, a one-off favour, a specific journey — that falls within normal use and is generally covered.

So when do you need to be careful?

Here is the important nuance. Some policies include restrictions for two specific profiles:

— Newly qualified drivers: those who have held their licence for less than 2 years.
— Drivers under 25 years of age.

If your policy excludes or limits cover for these profiles and the driver who used your car has an accident, the insurer may not cover the full cost of the damage. And that is when a simple favour becomes a serious problem.

What if someone uses the car regularly?

If there is someone — a partner, a child, a friend — who drives your car on a regular basis, the most advisable course of action is to add them as a named driver on the policy.

This avoids any complications in the event of a claim and ensures that cover is clearly established from the outset. Adding a driver to your car insurance often costs less than you might expect, and the peace of mind it brings is priceless.

Check your policy before lending the keys

Not all policies work the same way. Before lending your car to someone, take five minutes to check whether there are any restrictions based on age or length of time holding a licence. If you are unsure what your policy covers, our guide to car insurance in Marbella can help you choose the cover that best suits your situation.

Lending your car is perfectly fine. Doing so with a bit of forethought is even better.