This situation could play out in several ways. When someone uses a car without permission, it’s theft. That means the insurance will not pay. Most policies state, “We will pay only if you or someone else using your auto with your consent is legally liable for the accident.”

If your son had a reasonable belief that he had permission to use the friend’s car, coverage should apply. For instance, if the friend always said, “yes” to your son when he asked to borrow the car in the past, it would be reasonable for him to think he has permission again. If the friend sometimes said, “yes” and sometimes, “no,” it’s another situation and coverage may be denied.

As far as damage to the car he was driving, it sounds like that car had no collision. In that case, your son’s auto policy (or yours if he is a household member and has no car of his own) would kick in. You cannot stop the other car’s owner from making a claim against your insurance, and sooner or later they are likely to find out they have the right to make a claim. For this reason, you should pay for the damages in full or accept the fact that a claim is coming.

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