Can I drive my parents car?

Temi_D · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:31

Hi all, I've searched the internet but haven't been able to find a straight anwser.
Can I drive my parents car even if I dont have insurance? The car is insured with comprensive cover (whatever it means) and I was reading somewhere that all I need is the owner's permission but my friends say I also have to insured seperately. Can someone please clarify?

Tute · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:33

You will need to check your parents' policy and/or phone their insurer to check, the policies themselves vary from company to company.

Just be 100% sure before you drive it.

Marine Iguana · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:33

If your name is not on the policy you will need your own cover.

Schizo · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:34

of course you need to be insured.

everyone has to be insured to drive a car.

Tute · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:34

I think he's referring to policies that cover other drivers apart from those who are on as main drivers?

My Mum used to have something similar, as long as the person was over 25 and had her permission. But as I said above, you need to check with the insurance company before driving the car.

SB118 · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:34

Don't drive the car if you are not insured on it.

Are you on your parents policy? Do you have your own insurance with DOC cover?

If not, don't drive it.

peterattheboro · 21 Feb 2011 at 17:35

You need DOC cover and their permission to drive it or be a named driver.

(As already said a few times)

Janesy B · 21 Feb 2011 at 18:17

I very much doubt your parents have an 'any driver' policy on their car.

jamoor · 21 Feb 2011 at 18:38

It's possible, NU used to offer 3rd party only to any driver, check their policy documents (may be in the glovebox)

InvaderGIR · 21 Feb 2011 at 18:41

jamoor said:
It's possible, NU used to offer 3rd party only to any driver, check their policy documents (may be in the glovebox)

I've highlighted the key point in your post. That would have been quite a few years ago, now insurance runs much more on a case of trying to avoid having someone other than the policy holder (or named drivers) driving.

Deleted member 66701 · 21 Feb 2011 at 18:43

It's possible, NU used to offer 3rd party only to any driver, check their policy documents (may be in the glovebox)

Even if their policy gives 3rd party cover to any other party (which I doubt), it will only be to those who have the owners EXPRESS permission to drive the car. Same applies if you have your own insurance with DoC cover - you still need the owners EXPRESS permission.

If you take the car and get stopped and your parents say they don't know you were driving the car then you'll be without cover (subject to certain statutory 3rd party liability which can never be voided) = big points, hefty fine.

Skidder · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:02

my parents have any driver policy and i drive their car when I visit - I believe it is only third party when I'm driving (vs fully comp when they are)

[TW]Fox · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:03

Any driver policies are rare so you should assume you are not insured until you can find out for sure.

Temi_D · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:04

Right, so I need to either get added to my parent's policy or get a DOC cover for myself?

Clarkey · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:10

IME any driver policies also tend to be restricted to over 25's, so that makes it even less likely.

Howard · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:18

Temi_D said:
Right, so I need to either get added to my parent's policy or get a DOC cover for myself?

Correct

Dabbles · 21 Feb 2011 at 19:21

With all things car insurance, if you're unsure, you probably aren't covered. That's the best way to play it, until you KNOW otherwise. A driving without insurance conviction will stay with you long after the event.

Breeny · 21 Feb 2011 at 22:34

Or use http://www.dayinsure.com/

fizzle-187 · 21 Feb 2011 at 23:25

I don't get this, say if I had my own insurance on just my car can I drive my parents car as well, without taking another policy out? Obviously the car itself has to be insured and is so (fully comp)? Can somebody confirm this?

[TW]Fox · 21 Feb 2011 at 23:33

fizzle-187 said:
I don't get this, say if I had my own insurance on just my car can I drive my parents car as well, without taking another policy out? Obviously the car itself has to be insured and is so (fully comp)? Can somebody confirm this?

Only if your insurance policy includes the ability to drive other cars. Some do, some do not. Check your policy.

Can I drive my parents car?

Deleted member 66701

Deleted member 66701