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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it’s fine to drive uninsured if it’s just a short distance?

167 replies

MourningEveryone · 26/10/2022 21:35

My car has a flat tyre. My dad wanted me to borrow my mum’s car to drive home in, rather than one of them having to give me a lift. I’m not insured to drive her car. However he says it would be fine as it’s only a very short distance.

I refused, saying this would be against the law. He’s now not speaking to me. AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
MourningEveryone · 26/10/2022 21:37

I mean most people would have just driven the car anyway, right? Even though they know it’s illegal. The chances of having an accident are incredibly slim. And people break the law all the time, right? It’s shouldn’t be such a big deal.

OP posts:
SnackSizeRaisin · 26/10/2022 21:37

No you shouldn't drive without insurance. Obviously. But maybe your own policy covers you for 3rd party on other people's cars?

namechange3394 · 26/10/2022 21:37

Are you not insured third party on any car via your insurance? Perhaps he assumed you were and thought you were being a bit precious.

You could have got a taxi home rather than expecting one of them to drive you?

Skelligsfeathers · 26/10/2022 21:37

If it is a short distance then walk or fet a taxi?

PAFMO · 26/10/2022 21:37

Your dad's an idiot.

QueenOfHiraeth · 26/10/2022 21:38

If you have fully comp insurance it may cover you to drive another vehicle but only 3rd party

Utini · 26/10/2022 21:38

No it's not fine if you're uninsured! But have you checked whether your policy gives you third party cover on other cars? A lot of comp policies do.

Augend23 · 26/10/2022 21:38

Is you AIBU the title or the question in the post? As my answers are the opposite...

dementedpixie · 26/10/2022 21:38

Depending on your own insurance you could be ok to drive her car

Bettyboop3 · 26/10/2022 21:39

Definitely not being unreasonable!!! You cannot and should not drive any distance uninsured. Anything could happen. Your Dad was very selfish to not give you a lift and even worse to be sulking! Why couldn't they give you a lift if it's such a short distance?

Original poster
MourningEveryone · 26/10/2022 21:39

Too far to walk but I snuck out and got an Uber. I just sent them a text to let them know.

I am 40, in case anyone was wondering!

OP posts:
Joolsin · 26/10/2022 21:39

I can't remember the exact statistics, but a huge proportion of car crashes are only within something like 1 or 2 miles from the drivers' homes. YANBU.

Vapeyvapevape · 26/10/2022 21:39

Really? I mean reeeally🙄

SnackSizeRaisin · 26/10/2022 21:40

Just walk if it's that close. Or get a taxi or public transport. Not worth the aggro.

TokenGinger · 26/10/2022 21:41

If you're over 25, your own insurance would cover you to drive another vehicle third party, so it's totally legal.

runninglikewater · 26/10/2022 21:41

Definitely wouldn't have driven uninsured but I'm fully comp and can drive other cars.

I wouldn't rely on 3rd party for anything but a short distance in a cheap car.

A mate borrowed by car and was going to use it for the weekend just on 3rd party but I insisted he was fully comp as he couldn't have afforded to cover repairs if he'd had an accident.

FiveShelties · 26/10/2022 21:41

MourningEveryone · 26/10/2022 21:39

Too far to walk but I snuck out and got an Uber. I just sent them a text to let them know.

I am 40, in case anyone was wondering!

Of course you did.

SnackSizeRaisin · 26/10/2022 21:42

Too far to walk isn't that close then, presumably at least 2 or 3 miles. Also why didn't your dad change the tyre for you instead of encouraging you to break the law. Doesn't sound like very good parenting to me

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 26/10/2022 21:42

I would hope 'most people' wouldn't. I certainly wouldn't.

It may be that he assumed you are insured 3rd party on any other car - that used to be standard for fully comp.

It's not as common anymore, and even if it's a on the policy it's often is only valid in an emergency situation.

Viviennethebeautiful · 26/10/2022 21:42

I am a magistrate. Can’t tell you how many cases of driving without proper insurance (often similar circumstances to you) Please don’t. You will end up with points and a fine if caught.

Loics · 26/10/2022 21:43

The one and only time DP has been involved in an accident, another driver crashed into him (their fault) and wrote his car off... 3 miles from home. So no, I wouldn't drive uninsured even for a short distance.

user1471457751 · 26/10/2022 21:43

If you would be genuinely uninsured then of course you couldn't drive that car but are you sure you wouldn't have 3rd party cover on your own insurance?

blippi123 · 26/10/2022 21:43

It doesn't matter if it's one hundred metres or one hundred miles, if you haven't got insurance it's illegal. The car will most probably be taken off you too

Mumdiva99 · 26/10/2022 21:43

TokenGinger · 26/10/2022 21:41

If you're over 25, your own insurance would cover you to drive another vehicle third party, so it's totally legal.

Not necessarily.....you do have to check.

Most people wouldn't drive illegally. Uber was the right thing.

SnackSizeRaisin · 26/10/2022 21:44

runninglikewater · 26/10/2022 21:41

Definitely wouldn't have driven uninsured but I'm fully comp and can drive other cars.

I wouldn't rely on 3rd party for anything but a short distance in a cheap car.

A mate borrowed by car and was going to use it for the weekend just on 3rd party but I insisted he was fully comp as he couldn't have afforded to cover repairs if he'd had an accident.

Yes...only drive someone else's car if you've agreed who will pay for any repairs if it breaks down or crash damage.

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