My stepsister borrowed my car during an emergency. She backed into a pole and caused approximately $4,000 to $5,000 worth of damage to my car. Nothing else was damaged. She currently does not have a car, so she does not carry any car insurance. I am so stressed over this.

As long as you have collision coverage included in your car insurance policy, your insurance will pay for repairs, even though your stepsister was the driver.

A car insurance policy insures your vehicle plus "you, any relative and anyone else using your car if the use is (or reasonably believed to be) with your permission."

Within a single car insurance policy are several different types of coverage, including liability for bodily injury and property damage, medical payments or Personal Injury Protection, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and extras, such as roadside assistance.

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Almost every state requires drivers to carry liability car insurance, which pays other people for damages or injuries you cause in an accident. Some states require Personal Injury Protection coverage, which pays for medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers who are injured in an accident. Medical payments coverage also covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, but does not pay for lost wages.

Comprehensive and collision coverage are optional. Comprehensive covers damage to your car from causes other than traffic accidents, such as hail, flooding, collision with an animal, theft or vandalism. Collision coverage pays for repairing your car if it's damaged in an accident. Some car owners forego these types of coverage to save money on car insurance rates, especially if their cars are old and have little resale value.

Check your insurance policy to see if you have collision coverage. If so, call your agent or company to file a claim.

For more, see when your friend crashes your car: the rules of auto liability.