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?

Always check to see if you are covered 3rd party on your policy to drive other cars as exclusions can apply
eg
Over 25
Manual full licence over 2 yrs
Other car must not be spouse/partner (as you should be named driver if you intend to use)
You must be reg keeper/owner on your own policy
Check occupation too - eg mechanic/taxi driver/courier would not have 3rd party right

• If you have a third party/third party fire/theft policy that can still allow you to drive other cars ** If you need to use the benefit only do it in an emergency- remember it does not include any repairs/pay out for the damage caused on the car you have borrowed

Never ever drive an uninsured car. Its really not worth the gamble.

Worse things happen at sea 🤷🏻‍♀️

This thread has given me hope. For years I've been telling people on this site (and others) that fully comp doesn't automatically include driving other cars cover, and I've been shouted down every time. I know this because my job is to sue people who drive uninsured. Thank goodness more people seem to be realising that this cover isn't always included.

A non insured driver believed this several years ago.
I was driving less than a mile they kept muttering. It was quiet so no risk. Didn’t think.

Thankfully I was fine and escaped with whip lash. My mate the driver not so lucky from taking the brunt of the damage when the other car went into their side.

Months in ICU. Even longer learning everything again.

They though that driving a short distance on a quiet road that when the lights changed to red, much easier to drive on.

We've used veygo loads to insure our kids when learning for short stretches or to lend a car to visitors. You can set it up within minutes and it's pretty cheap for short term use.

Nope never fine! I worked in insurance claims and it was horrible. Yes, a lot were just rear end claims but we also had people killed by no insurance

Amazing how many people think you are insured for 3rd party if you have your own fully comp insurance. You most likely are not - This stopped being standard over 10 years ago.

I probably would have driven it but I understand the case for not doing so and it's certainly not unreasonable. Your dad's a twat for not talking to you over it rather than just accepting you have a different point of view.

Was just thinking of the worst case scenario and being banned from driving completely. We would realistically have to move as we live in an area where it would be extremely difficult to get around without a car.

The worst case scenario is that you cause a life-changing injury to another person. You could be personally liable for millions. Small chance, astronomical consequences.

Anyway.... all this discussion, people talking about temp insurance (which you probably couldn't get), or fixing the tyre late at night... your solution of getting an Uber was the most sensible. Highly commendable in someone who's dad is a complete and utter idiot.

My DH is 40 and is insured 3rd party on his insurance as he occasionally borrows my parents 22 year old estate car for a run to the city dump. When we were borrowing the car to travel 400 miles though my DP added DH to the insurance as they were not taking any chances. I definitely wouldn’t drive uninsured OP.

This.

Dad is completely wrong. Uninsured is uninsured regardless of the distance. Armchair ‘experts’ like you are a menace.

Don’t they say something like 50% of accidents happen within a few miles of home?

People always seem to think of long motorway journeys as the riskiest, but I’m sure you’re more likely to have an accident near home.

Anyway, given you already struggle getting insurance it would be crazy to risk further problems.

You’re 40 but you don’t know how car insurance works? I don’t know who is more stupid; you or your Dad.

Plus noone plans to have accidents

It’s just not worth the risk. My MOT expired yesterday and I got pulled over today for having an expired MOT. ANPR is real and they pick up things like this very easily. Thank God I was on the way to the MOT centre so they let me off but you just never know. I’ve heard of people driving around uninsured, untaxed or without MOT for months without being caught but I got nabbed the very next effing day. It’s not worth it. I think driving uninsured is even worse than an expired MOT.

You are only insured 3rd party if the fully comp policy is in your name. So I would be insured on any car, but my wife would not. And I’d check the details even then.

Something like 1 in 3 accidents happen within a mile of home!!

Not all fully comp policies include third party cover on another vehicle as standard.

Just wanted to mention that some insurers only ask about prior cancellations for the past 5 years.

There was a thread on here ages back. A poster was unknowingly driving without insurance and had an accident. I do remember that she genuinely believed she was insured. There were other people in the car who had or claimed injuries. I think it cost her about £90k, which she didn't have. I can't remember if she had to declare bankrupcy (my memory of the details is rather sketchy). As a PP said - the risk of an accident might be low, but the consequences could be life changing.

So your dad would rather you drive illegally than give you a lift???
You can get short term insurance for just 1 day and you may be insured third party to drive other cars with your own car insurance policy but would need to read policy to make sure you are as this isnt standard.
Otherwise a taxi or use another form of transport.
Your dads being an idiot, if you were involved in accident and were uninsured the consequences are huge, dont risk it.

Most insurance policies insure you to drive other cars. Only 3rd party cover but perfectly legal. I would have driven the car.

Over half of all traffic accidents happen within a 5 mile radius of home, and nearly 70% within a 10 mile radius.
Being close to home is, statistically, where you are more likely to have an accident.

I'd be more worried about not having a spare tyre, than the insurance. I didn't think it was legal to drive without a spare tyre? Everyone has a spare tyre, it's part of the car being road worthy, it's irresponsible not to and I think illegal.