Brits Are Reluctant Lenders When it Comes to Their Cars

Who can blame them/ It’s bad enough lending out your lawnmower or tools, only to receive a battered and malfunctioning version of the said item in return. When it comes to cars your friends and family are rarely insured fully comp on your vehicle either – unless you add them as Named Drivers. Here’s some advice from Uswitch;

Lending your car to a friend or family member might seem like a simple favour, but new research from temporary car insurance experts Uswitch reveals many drivers have hesitations[1-3]. Concerns around potential damage, insurance coverage, and driving ability mean that car sharing rarely comes without strings attached.

Brits are more willing to lend their cars to family than friends

Brits are generally more comfortable lending their car to family (65%) than to friends (48%), potentially highlighting the importance of trust and familiarity when it comes to sharing vehicles[1].

Drivers aged 25-34 are the most open to lending their car to a friend, with 64% saying they would feel comfortable doing so[1]. But that comfort level drops with age, falling to 39% among those aged 45-55s, 31% among those aged 55-64s and 27% for over 65s[1].

New car nerves and old car attachment make Brits less likely to share

Brits are most comfortable lending their car when they’ve had it for 1-2 years, with 74% happy to lend to family and 60% to friends[1]. However, comfort levels drop significantly after that. Just 45% of drivers with 3-5 years of ownership would lend to a friend, and only 37% of those who have had their car 6-10 years or more than 10 years would do the same.

Interestingly, new car owners (less than 1 year) are also hesitant, with only 29% of drivers feeling comfortable lending to friends, suggesting that the ‘new car feeling’ brings extra caution.

Across all stages of car ownership, drivers are more willing to lend to family than friends. Even after owning a car for over a decade, 59% remain comfortable lending to a relative, showing that trust in family members often outweighs attachment to the vehicle.

Fear of damage tops drivers’ car-lending concerns

Nearly half of Brits (49%) cite fear of damage as the main reason they wouldn’t lend their car, making it the top concern[2]. Other factors include worries about the borrower’s driving skills (39%), inadequate insurance coverage (32%) and potential liability for accidents (28%).

While fear of damage tops the list across most age groups, secondary concerns vary. Younger drivers (18-24s) are more likely to worry about illegal use or reckless driving (34%), while older drivers (65+) are more concerned about liability (43%) and insurance adequacy (47%).

Felicity Ferguson, temporary car insurance expert at Uswitch, has shared her top tips for lending your car safely:

1. Cover yourself before handing over the keys.

“It’s your responsibility to ensure anyone borrowing your car is legally allowed to drive it. That means holding a valid UK driving licence and having appropriate insurance in place.

“Temporary car insurance offers flexible cover from as little as one hour, helping borrowers get on the road quickly and safely. With 39% of Brits saying they’d feel more comfortable lending with proof of insurance[3], it’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and lend with peace of mind.”

2. Agree on the ground rules.

“Before you lend your car, have a quick conversation to set expectations. Agree on how long the car will be used, where it’s going, who’s driving, and who’s responsible for fuel, fines or damage. 19% of Brits say they’d feel more comfortable lending with a written agreement[3], so it’s worth outlining the basics, even informally, to avoid misunderstandings later.”

3. Do a quick inspection before and after.

“A brief walkaround and a few timestamped photos, inside and out, can help protect both parties. It documents the car’s condition and mileage before lending, helping to avoid awkward conversations about damage or mess. 12% of Brits said they’d feel more comfortable lending if there was a pre- and post-use inspection[3], so taking a moment to check over the vehicle is a quick way to build trust and accountability”.