Car Insurance - Beware, Use of another car

The_Reverend_John

I feel I have just been scammed by Barclays insurance.
I recently took out a policly on the internet using a comparison site I had used before (ie no change of circumstances).
I have always held fully comprehensive insurance as this has always allowed me to drive another car (with of course the ownwers consent).
I received the policy documents by email but these stated that you could drive another car only if this was stated on the certificate of insurance (I have checked my previous certificates and they do quote this).
I had to wait a week to receive my certificate and found it only entitled me to drive my car or a car loaned to me by the insurers in case of repair.
I hardly ever need to drive another car but it is handy to be covered if, for instance my car was in for an MOT so I could borrow my father's car.
I phoned Barclays and they told me they could offer an alternative policy (higher price of course) but that I'd have to cancel the current policy, pay for the insurance used so far and pay a cancellation fee (even though I am still within the 14 days).
When I told them I was not happy about being sold this policy they told me I should have phoned them to check the policy details - but what is the point then of offering it online?

I have emailed the financial services ombudsman but had no reply as yet.
Barclays stand to gain financially from this although if they had made this clause known to me I would not have taken out the policy.

So beware - check you certificates - you may be covered for less than you think.

lisyloo

It's now quite common not to be covered for driving other cars (DOC).
All the policies I've taken recently do not have this on.

david39

You should also be aware that, in the case of policies which allow you to drive "any car", you are only insured for third party claims. That is you are covered for damage or injury to third parties but the car you are driving is not itself covered.

Many people do not realise this and drive other people's cars thinking they are completely covered by the fully comprehensive policy on their own car.

If you damage or write off someone else's car while you are driving it, your own insurance will not cover it.

The_Reverend_John

This is the first time I've come accross it in 10 years of driving.
I have only had one previous quote where I went to buy online but couldn't - had to phone the company and they made a point of telling me I wouldn't be covered so I didn't take out the policy.

The_Reverend_John

david39 wrote: »

You should also be aware that, in the case of policies which allow you to drive "any car", you are only insured for third party claims. That is you are covered for damage or injury to third parties but the car you are driving is not itself covered.

Many people do not realise this and drive other people's cars thinking they are completely covered by the fully comprehensive policy on their own car.

If you damage or write off someone else's car while you are driving it, your own insurance will not cover it.

Of course, this is only for emergency use, not everyday use.

vaio

How is emergency defined in on your certificate/policy?

missile

Very few now offer drive a.n.other car cover. I guess too many people were abusing the system?

Quentin

The_Reverend_John wrote: »

Of course, this is only for emergency use, not everyday use.

How come?

Many motorists drive all the time with third party cover.

The_Reverend_John

Quentin wrote: »

How come?

Many motorists drive all the time with third party cover.

I mean I only require the cover for times when I am unable to drive my own car - repairs, breakdowns etc - I still need to get to work after all.

Quentin

missile wrote: »

Very few now offer drive a.n.other car cover. I guess too many people were abusing the system?

How can you abuse the system?

There are plenty of mainstream insurers who include it.

Eg Aviva tried to drop it a while ago, found others didn't follow suit and now include it (and on their RAC policy even give it to the main driver even if not the policyholder!)

Quentin

The_Reverend_John wrote: »

I mean I only require the cover for times when I am unable to drive my own car - repairs, breakdowns etc - I still need to get to work after all.

You seemed to be discriminating against drivers using third party cover all the time. Third party cover is not intended just for "emergency" use (however you want to define it)!

If you damage your own car when you have third party insurance, it makes no difference the purpose of the journey, the damage isn't insured!