Can you drive any car with comprehensive insurance?
Sometimes you can, sometimes you won’t be insured on other people’s cars. It all depends on your policy. Even if your comprehensive insurance does allow you to drive other cars (DOC), it will likely only give you third-party cover.
In this guide, we’ll explain what you need to know about comprehensive insurance and driving other cars. We’ll tell you when you can and can’t, and how you can legally drive someone else’s car if you need to.
Can I drive someone else's car if I have fully comprehensive car insurance?
Any car insurance policy, including fully comprehensive insurance, applies to the car(s) named in the policy, not you as a driver. So as a default, no, your fully comprehensive insurance policy won’t insure you to drive other people’s cars.
In some cases, you will be able to drive another person’s car if your comprehensive car insurance policy includes driving other cars (DOC) cover.
What is driving other cars (DOC) cover?
DOC cover can be added to a comprehensive insurance policy to give you insurance cover for driving other cars, but it usually only gives you third party cover. This means your insurance will cover you against claims made against you by other people, but won’t pay out for your own costs.
For example, if you hit a third-party’s car whilst driving someone else’s car, your DOC cover would pay out for the third-party’s repairs and medical costs but wouldn’t cover your own medical costs or any repairs needed for the car you were driving.
Whilst DOC cover can let you drive someone else’s car without being a named driver on their policy, restrictions still apply, usually:
- DOC only covers the policyholder: Other named drivers in the comprehensive policy are usually not covered.
- It typically only provides third party cover: If you're involved in an accident, any damage to the car you're driving, or any injuries you sustain, won’t be covered.
- The other car must already have a valid insurance policy: Even with DOC cover, you can’t drive an uninsured car.
- You should only drive someone else's car in an emergency: For instance, if a friend or family member needs to be taken to the hospital.
- You must have the owner's permission to drive their car
Can I drive multiple cars I own on fully comprehensive insurance?
Generally speaking, no. Your fully comprehensive insurance will cover only the car named in your policy. You may have a multi-vehicle insurance policy, but again, only the cars listed in that policy will be covered.
If you want to drive another car you own, but that car isn’t insured, you won’t legally be able to drive it. Even if you have DOC cover included in your existing comprehensive car insurance policy.
To insure another car you own, you’ll either need to take out another insurance policy or ask your insurance provider to add it to your existing insurance.
How do I get cover to drive someone else's car?
If you want to drive another person’s car – and you don’t have DOC cover in your comprehensive insurance policy or don’t meet the requirements of it – you have two options to make sure you’re legally covered:
- Get added to that person’s policy as a named driver: You’ll be included in the same level of cover as their policy. So if that person has comprehensive insurance, so will you.
- Get temporary car insurance: A temporary car insurance policy can give you the required level of cover for specific, short periods of time. Unfortunately Asda Money does not currently offer a comparison service for this option yet.
Can someone else drive my car with fully comprehensive insurance?
As standard, even if you have fully comprehensive insurance, someone else won’t be automatically covered to drive your car.
That person will have to:
- Have their own fully comprehensive insurance that includes DOC cover and meet the requirement of being able to drive with DOC cover.
- Be added to your insurance policy as a named driver.
- Take out temporary insurance to drive your car.
Penalties for driving without insurance
It’s illegal to drive a car in the UK without valid car insurance. First of all, you’re putting other road users at risk. Secondly, if you’re found to be driving a car without the proper insurance cover, you’ll face penalties. These can include:
- Six penalty points on your driving licence
- A fixed penalty fine of £300[1]
If your case goes to court, the penalties can increase, and you can face:
- Disqualification from driving
- An unlimited fine[2]
In the UK, the police can also seize, and even destroy, cars that are driven without valid insurance.
Compare insurance quotes through Asda Money
Through Asda Money, you can compare insurance quotes from over 60 of the UK’s top insurance providers to find the right policy for you. The car insurance comparison service is provided by Vast Visibility Limited.
Get fully comprehensive car insurance through Asda Money.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-without-insurance
[2] https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-without-insurance
[3] https://www.passmefast.co.uk/resources/rules-of-the-road/driving-law/driving-other-peoples-cars
FAQs
- Can I drive any car with comprehensive insurance?
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No. Having fully comprehensive car insurance doesn't automatically mean you’re covered to drive other cars. Some comprehensive insurance policies include driving other cars (DOC) cover in your policy. Usually this only provides third party cover. Other restrictions will apply too, such as only driving another car in the case of emergencies.
- What age can you drive any car with comprehensive insurance?
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You can’t automatically drive other cars if you have fully comprehensive insurance on your car. You’ll need to make sure you have driving other cars (DOC) cover and that you understand how that cover works.
If you do have DOC cover, most insurance companies allow you to drive other cars when you’re 25 years of age[3], although this can vary by provider. Read your policy documents to make sure or contact your insurance provider.
- Can anyone drive my car if I have full coverage?
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No. Even if you have fully comprehensive car insurance, it doesn’t mean anyone can drive your car. As standard, your insurance policy only covers you and any other named drivers in your policy. Someone else may be able to drive your car if they have their own car insurance policy and it includes driving other cars (DOC) cover, but only if they meet the requirements of DOC cover.
If you need someone else to drive your car, you should consider adding them as a named driver to your policy or asking them to take out temporary car insurance for your vehicle.
- What does fully comprehensive car insurance cover?
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Fully comprehensive insurance covers damage you cause to a third party’s car or property as well as compensation for a third party’s medical costs. It also covers damage to your own car and your own medical bills, even if you caused the accident. Comprehensive car insurance also covers you against damages and losses due to fire and theft.
Always make sure you check the details of any car insurance policy to make sure you understand exactly what’s covered.
ASDA Money is a trading name of Asda Financial Services Ltd and Asda Stores Ltd which for general insurance are Introducer Appointed Representatives of Vast Visibility Limited, 8 Princes Parade, Liverpool, L3 1DL, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number 566973. You can check these details on the FCA Register.
The ASDA car insurance comparison service is arranged by and administered by Vast Visibility Limited.