Can you drive someone else's car?

Despite popular belief, most comprehensive car insurance policies will not cover you driving someone else's car. This is why it's so important to check your insurance policy before you drive a car that is not your own. To ensure you can legally drive someone else's car, you will need to check if you have 'Drive other car' (DOC) insurance - this will mean you can drive cars that have been rented or borrowed from a third party.

If your car insurance happens to cover DOC, the chances are that it will be on a third-party basis only, which means you will be covered for the damage to the other person's car, but not your own. If the car you are driving does retain any form of damage, you will have to cover the costs yourself, as DOC policy is not very common and is mainly included in policies for company cars. If you have comprehensive car insurance, it's most likely that the insurer will only cover your car and not the other car in the accident.

How can I check that I have DOC insurance?

To check if you have DOC insurance, you must check your documents and policy statements. If it is included, it is essential to double-check the type of DOC on your policy as some insurers only provide a version of DOC that is eligible only on company cars. Other T&Cs of DOC could include:

• Only eligible on certain makes and models of cars
• You can't make a DOC claim on a car of your household - this would include the car of a parent or spouse.
• You might not be eligible for a DOC policy if you are under 25 years old

These are just a few of the possible limitations on your DOC policy, therefore, you must check with your insurers what the specific rules of your DOC are.

What if I am a named driver on an insurance policy

Being a 'named driver' on someone else's insurance policy will mean that you can lawfully drive that person's car. However, it is important to note that the named driver is not permitted to drive the car more than the main driver, as this will invalidate the policy.

What if I drive someone else's car without DOC insurance?

In the instance you are caught driving someone else's car without DOC insurance, you will most likely receive a large fine. You also risk receiving 8 points on your license or a driving ban.

The car owner is at risk of greater consequences, as they could be prosecuted for allowing an uninsured person to drive the car. They will also have to cover any third-party damages that have occurred. Insurance companies take policy breaches very seriously - they may cancel your policy or even take legal action.

Keep your car in the best condition

If you need to drive another car, it's useful to ensure that it's in the best condition possible, especially if you're driving it as a third party. Do this by getting your car regularly serviced and ensuring your tyres are often checked and your MOT is booked early. By maintaining these simple steps, you can save a lot of hassle when making an insurance claim.

Make sure your car is in the best condition possible by visiting a local PTA garage near you. For more information, do not hesitate to contact our helpful team.