You generally need to be on someone's auto insurance if:
* You are driving their vehicle regularly: If you borrow the car frequently, the owner's insurance needs to cover you to ensure proper protection in case of accidents.
* You are listed as a "permissive user": This means the owner has given you permission to drive their car, even if it's not on a regular basis. You'll likely be covered under their policy, but there might be limits.
* You are living in the owner's household: Many insurance policies cover household members, even if they don't own the vehicle.
You may not need to be on someone's auto insurance if:
* You only drive the vehicle occasionally: A single, short drive might be covered under the owner's policy without your name specifically on it.
* You have your own auto insurance: Your own policy might cover you to drive other vehicles.
Important things to consider:
* Insurance coverage limitations: There might be limits on how much coverage applies to someone who's not listed on the policy, like a lower liability limit.
* State laws: Different states have different rules about who needs to be covered on a policy.
* Risk and responsibility: Even if you think you're covered, it's always best to check with the insurance company to ensure you have the right coverage for your situation.
The safest bet is to talk to the owner of the vehicle and their insurance company. They can provide you with accurate information about your specific situation.