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

[MourningEveryone]

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?

I have a specialist policy so unfortunately I’m definitely not insured to drive other cars.

The reason for this is that I had a cancelled policy because my dad (yes, him again) incorrectly told me it was OK not to declare accidents if they were non-fault. It’s now very difficult for me to get insurance and there are only about three insurers who will take me on.

Your dad is a fool. Your title is misleading though, according to the title you think it’s fine.

If you want a fine and points go for it!

Your dad is an absolute twat. Does he actually have a driving license?

You are right.
MIB will pay the other person's claim but will come for your assets.

No it’s not ok to drive uninsured. If you get caught it’s a serious conviction and will make it difficult for you to get insurance in the future, and more expensive.
As others have said, if you are over 25 and insured fully comprehensive then you should have “driving other cars” as a benefit of your policy - BUT - check your certificate as not all policies have it automatically, and, it is only TPO cover so if you do have an accident, your own damage (to your Mum’s car) would be at your own expense. It merely covers the risk to other people, as a legal minimum.
So you did the right thing.

No, most people would not have driven the car!

Also, it's very easy to get added to someone's insurance for a short period of time, usually just a phone call in my experience. It's never cost much, and mea s you don't have to worry about breaking the law.

He says he does. But now I come to think of it, I’ve never actually seen it.

Why didn’t you either change the tyre to the spare or use the fix a flat stuff that comes with the car? (Not sure how old your car is). You’d then be able to drive it home & to a garage for a new tyre.

Of course you’re not being unreasonable. Your father is inciting you to commit a crime.

Not all policies.

I'm 39, 18 years no claims and full comp insurance. I can't drive other cars unless I'm a named driver.

Difficult to know how to vote as your title is opposite way round from the question at the end of your opening post

but

obviously, no-one should drive uninsured.
That said, as pps have said, my insurance lets me drive another vehicle 3rd party.

Haven’t got either of those. Although it’s not a particularly old car.

Christ, are you sure your dad is OK to actually have a licence?? He's clueless. Plus OP and no disrespect but you're 40 no some wee 17yr old with no life experience. Surely you know you'd have to inform your insurance if you were involved in accident even if you weren't at fault. Plus you'd also know you can't drive a car for whatever distance uninsured.

Or if you cannot change the tyre to the spare or squirt the fix a flat stuff in the tyre due to disability, why do you not have roadside assistance?

The cancelled policy was many, many years ago now. Unfortunately a cancelled policy stays with you for life, even though an accident comes off your record after five years. I’m hoping this may change one day but at present it’s how things are.

You can get temporary insurance to drive another car with owners permission as long as it's insured on their policy. Doesn't usually cost a lot. I've insured my kids on my car for a few hours/a weekend. (Weekend was about £14).

www.veygo.com

Perhaps this is a life event that encourages you to get a proper break down kit assembled to keep in your boot.

Fix a flat stuff went straight through it. The tyre is damaged.

Will get assistance tomorrow. It wasn’t urgent enough to call them out at 9pm at night.

Can you organise this at 9pm to take effect immediately though?

Seriously though, not many cars carry spares these days.

Yes

It takes about 10/15 minutes to go through and one of the options is to start now.

You can literally get temp insurance right away online. I use go shorty for dd when she's home from uni and needs to use my car.

My mate got drunk and wanted me to drive his car (and him) home.

So we rang up his insurance company and bought 24hrs insurance for me on his car.

Simple. It didn’t have to be a “break the law or don’t drive the car” situation.

I thought you said you didn’t have any fix a flat stuff? No matter
So you’ve gashed your tyre rather than simply punctured it.
And fair enough on not calling roadside assistance. I personally wouldn’t care what time it was, I pay for it whether I use it or not, so I’m going to use it if I need it. But I get you’d rather take a taxi home and deal with it the next day, that’s completely up to you.