Ontario auto-insurance guide

Lending your car in Ontario: insurance basics

When someone borrows an insured vehicle, the owner's policy can be affected by that driver's collision history and use.

Borrowed carOntario

Updated for Ontario rules in force August 11, 2026 · Megan R. Fairview

Permission matters

The driver must have the owner's consent and a valid licence.

Regular drivers should be disclosed

Someone who drives the vehicle frequently may need to be listed.

At-fault accidents can affect the owner's record

FSRA notes that if a borrower is 50% or more at fault in the owner's vehicle, the accident goes on the owner's insurance record.

Excluded drivers are different

A person specifically excluded by endorsement should not drive the vehicle.

Ontario-specific educational summary. Your actual rights and coverage come from the Insurance Act, regulations, the current Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1), your certificate, endorsements and the facts of the claim. Do not change coverage based only on a general web article.