What Does ‘Drive Other Cars’ Mean For Comprehensive Car Insurance?

Occasionally, you might find yourself in an emergency situation requiring you to drive someone else’s car. You must ensure you are covered to drive another vehicle before getting behind the wheel.

Some comprehensive car insurance policies will include this, but not all. Making sure you understand what cover you have should be a priority when taking out cover.

Can You Drive Other Cars With Comprehensive Insurance?

No, having a comprehensive policy does not always mean you will be covered to drive someone else’s car. This used to be more commonplace in comprehensive insurance policies, but now you must check what is included in the policy before committing.

If you do have permission to drive other cars on your insurance policy, it is likely this cover will be the third party only.

DOC cover should not be used as cover for regular use of a car, and it is only intended for cover in an emergency.

What Is A DOC Car Insurance Policy?

Driving other cars’ cover, also known as DOC, is usually only included with a fully comprehensive cover for your own car and is not always guaranteed.

This cover allows you to drive other people’s vehicles without being a named driver on their policy. DOC insurance usually only provides the driver with third-party cover.

The third-party cover would only cover damage to a third party, their property, or their passengers if an accident occurred. DOC cover is usually only for emergencies.

DOC Insurance Requirements

Not everyone will be eligible for DOC insurance. Different insurance companies may have different requirements, but they would typically include:

• A fully comprehensive policy
• Only available on cars that are already insured
• The driver must be at least 25 years of age at the start of the policy
• The car must be roadworthy
• The driver’s occupation must not be associated with driving vehicles, such as the motor trade
• DOC insurance policies need to be stated on the certificate of motor insurance as well

What Is A Named Driver?

A named driver is different from a DOC policy as it is on the vehicle’s policy rather than the driver’s own policy.

Adding a named driver onto your insurance allows another person to drive the vehicle. This is useful for families. The named driver will have the same level of cover that the main driver on the policy has.

The named driver should not be the person who regularly uses the car. Adding a named driver to your policy can sometimes reduce the insurance premium because the insurance company assumes the car will not be used as often.

If you want to add a named driver during the contract’s term, you may be charged a fee of between £15 to £30 for the administrative work.

Is Temporary Car Insurance The Best Option For Driving Someone Else’s Car?

As well as DOC cover and being added as a named driver, you will also have the option to take out a temporary car insurance policy.

Temporary insurance policies are an excellent idea for people who will be using the car regularly over a short period. This is considerably cheaper than taking out a full year-long policy and can be taken out for a day, week, or month depending on the driver’s needs.

It is vital to ensure that you have the correct cover when driving a vehicle, and if you are going to be regularly driving a car, you should not be doing this on DOC cover.

If you are teaching someone to drive, temporary learner driver insurance can be a cost-effective way to ensure you are covered. Getting in practice with lessons helps to reduce the cost of learning to drive.

What Are The Penalties For Driving A Car Without Insurance?

It would be best if you always took the time to find out whether you have DOC cover rather than taking it for granted. Ignorance is not an excuse, and if you are caught driving without valid insurance, you will face a number of penalties.

Driving without insurance can result in 6 to 8 points on your licence. Drivers within the first two years of getting their licence that accrues six or more points will have their licence revoked.

A £300 fixed-penalty fine will be awarded, which could be increased if your case goes to court.

Another consequence of this will be an increase in your insurance premiums. Drivers with bans or points added to their license will receive more expensive premiums from providers.

Are Vans Covered By DOC Insurance?

DOC may cover the driving of a van, but it is not common. You should always check with your provider to be 100% sure of your cover.

Because vans are more typically driven for commercial use and the broad definition of what constitutes being a van, most providers will not cover this.

If I Have DOC Cover On My Policy, Can Other People Drive It?

DOC cover on your own policy will cover you to drive other vehicles in an emergency, but it will not cover other people to drive your vehicle.

If you want other people to be able to drive your car, you should add them as a named driver on your policy. This would allow the occasional use of the vehicle, but you would still have to be the main driver.

Temporary car insurance is another excellent option if the other driver is likely to be the main driver for a short period. This is often used for rental cars or if someone is borrowing a car or using one while someone is away on holiday, for example.

If you don’t intend for the other driver to use the car regularly but would like them to be able to use it in an emergency, ensure they have DOC cover on their own policy.

Do I Always Need My Own Insurance Policy?

If you do not have an insurance policy, you are not permitted to drive a car.

Driving insurance is a legal requirement, and there are stiff penalties for those who drive without a policy and those who drive with insufficient cover.

The owner may insure a car, but anyone who drives that must have their own cover. This could be a full insurance policy, being a named driver, a temporary insurance policy, or having ‘driving other cars’ cover on an existing policy for another vehicle.

How Do I Find A DOC Car Insurance Policy?

When looking for cover, you might want to compare car insurance quotes to find the best deals for you. If you plan to do this, remember to check everything that is included in the policy and ensure it covers your needs.

The temporary cover options available at Go Shorty are a great way to ensure you are covered for someone else’s car without paying too much. Our short-term car policies cover drivers who want to use a car regularly over a short period to learners hoping to get some much-needed practice.