To think I can drive any car under my insurance.

[coffeeforone]

Third party only. I was reading a recent thread and was surprised to learn that this is usually not the case that driving other cars is included. I always thought it was and regularly drive my dads car when we visit my parents once a month. Worried, I checked my policy and it does say:

"The policyholder may also drive with the consent of the owner a private motor car as long as the other car is not a car either owned by you or your partner or hired or leased to you.....providing there is a valid insurance policy in force for that car. Please note this cover is Third Party Only."

I think I am covered, however I do wonder how many people do assume they are covered third party on other cars when they are not. Is it made clear when they take out the policy?

You are covered, however if you have an at-fault accident the insurance will only pay for repairs to the other vehicle and not the vehicle you are driving. So if you crash into someone and write off your Dad's car the insurance company will pay nothing to you or your Dad.

I double checked last week as an occasion arose but I’m not covered. Mine is a no frills policy mind. Didn’t even cover a chipped windscreen. Apparently they’re renowned for it

I always thought this was standard and was quite surprised when people mentioned it wasn’t. I always check my policies for it but I normally go one up from the no frills options so maybe that’s why I’ve always been covered. Its definitely something I’ll get into the habit of checking though as I didn’t realise it was something that wasn’t always standard.

I can on mine. Fully-comp on my car, third party on other cars. It's Direct Line tho and they're pretty good with stuff like that.

If you drive your dad's car regularly it is easy to get you added to his policy and often doesn't cost much.

Don’t forget it’s only covering you in an emergency usually too and not if you do it regularly

Mine covers me to drive any other car but only third party which I don't like as I wouldn't want to pay out for damages. I was an additional driver on my dads car but he didn't add me when he got his new car so I never drive it.

I can on my policy. However I did triple check the fine details of all policies available when I renewed, as it seems that this isn;t as standard as it was until a few years ago. I'd always had this and only noticed at the last second that a new policy didn't contain this about four years ago. My friend drove her mother's car assuming she was covered 3rd party as per her last policy - when she checked afterwards she wasn't! No harm done, fortunately. I always make sure I have this as I have to drive my parents (old, cheap) car two or three times a year. Plus it was very handy when my car broke down and my ex had a spare vehicle he was happy to lend me for a week.

TP for other vehicles seems to have been getting rarer over the past decade or so.

You don't need (and can't) get fully comp for somebodies else's car. If you crash your father's car he has a claim against you as a third party. (Note the carefully worded statement in the OP's schedule, which seems to be an exclusion, but ain't.)

I think I am covered

Don't think or guess. Check.

I just checked mine, I'm with Admiral fully comp and in my 30s, and I'm covered to drive other vehicles with the owner's permission provided there is valid insurance on that car. The policy documents state that cover is not offered to drivers 24 or under, which I think is the case with a lot of insurers.

PS: When I did last drive someone else's car I didn't rely on that though. Instead the owner added me as a named driver on their policy. Costs a bit of money but I expect means less hassle in the event of a claim and the cover is certain to be equal to what the main driver has.

I always used to take my dad's word as gospel on things like this so assumed that fully comprehensive for me meant that I was good to go for anyone who gave me permission to drive their fully comprehensively insured car.

Then I started paying attention to T&Cs. Now I'll only drive someone else's car as a measure of last resort because the cover really isn't to be assumed and I cannot be bothered to double check T&Cs every time.

The only exception are the company fleet cars. Once you pass their assessment you're insured to drive any company vehicle.

I can't because DP and I share a car and an insurance policy. DP is the policyholder and can drive other cars, but as only a named driver on the policy, I can't.

You don't need (and can't) get fully comp for somebodies else's car.

Yes, you can. Until recently I had a fully comp extension for driving other cars up to a value of £20k.

This has been increasingly restricted to stop people playing the system and driving far more expensive or powerful cars on third party cover on the basis they're fully comp on a small engined run-around. The system was being abused and I can understand why insurers are clamping down.

On that basis, it is important to check and double check before getting behind the wheel of someone's car. The penalty is generally 6 to 8 points and a fine of up to 5k.

The penalty is generally 6 to 8 points and a fine of up to 5k.

With no other aggravating factors it’s a fixed penalty these days. 6 points and a £300 fine.