Am i covered to drive other cars third party?

newfoundglory

Just taken out a policy with Aviva on their website today - states on the website:

You asked:
Can you insure me to drive other cars?

Our answer:
If you are over 25 and have chosen fully comprehensive cover, then Aviva provide cover for the policyholder to drive any other cars third party only (with the permission of the owner) as standard.

But certificate of insurance is not clear for what purpose(s). I find the Description of use particularly unclear and strangely repetitive:

The insured vehicle
The vehicle registration mark described above or
1. any vehicle loaned to the policyholder for a maximum of seven days from a garage, motor engineer or vehicle repairer while the vehicle registration described above is being either serviced, repaired or having a MOT test.
2. Vehicle loaned to the policyholder or, any other person entitled to drive as described in permitted drivers, by the insurer’s nominated supplier as a result of a claim under this policy:
i. whilst the vehicle described above is being repaired or replaced or
ii. following theft of the vehicle described above

Description of use
Use for social, domestic and pleasure purposes.
Use for travel to and from a place of paid employment.
Use for the policyholder’s business, the policyholder’s spouse/domestic partner’s business or the business of their employer or business partner.
In respect of the vehicle bearing the registration mark shown on this certificate, use only for social, domestic and pleasure purposes and for the Policyholder’s business, the Policyholder’s spouse/domestic/civil partner’s business and the business of their employer or business partner.
In respect of any vehicle not bearing the registration mark shown on this certificate, use only for social, domestic and pleasure purposes only.

Excluding
Use for hiring.
Use for any purpose in connection with the Motor Trade.
Use for any competitions, trial, performance test, race or trial of speed, including off-road events whether between motor vehicles or otherwise, and irrespective of whether this takes place on any circuit or track, formed or otherwise, and regardless of any statutory authorisation of any such event.
Use to secure the release of a motor vehicle, other than the vehicle identified above by its registration number, which has been seized by, or on behalf of, any government or public authority

Permitted drivers
As below provided that the person holds a licence to drive the car or has held and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining such a licence
The policyholder
Under the terms of section 2 of the policy - Liability to Third Parties - the policyholder may, subject to the owner’s express consent, also drive a car not belonging to policyholder or hired to the policyholder under a hire purchase or lease agreement.
Named drivers [lists named drivers]

lisyloo

In respect of any vehicle not bearing the registration mark shown on this certificate, use only for social, domestic and pleasure purposes only.

That seems pretty clear to me.

Bear in mind you will only be covered 3rd party.
So if you drive someone else's car and it's damaged then you could well have to pay.
If this is a friend then have a think about the effect this might have on your relationship and then think about whether it's worth hiring a car, going by taxi or getting a bus/train instead.

Personally I'd rather hire a car for £35 a day than risk damaging a friends property.

newfoundglory

As its often included at no charge, I like to know what exactly what I am covered for. You know how insurance companies will try to find any excuse for not paying out in the event of an accident. I have never used third-party cover and I would probably, like you say, hire a car rather then drive someone else's.

I do think its strange however to state cover in general terms without being specific on the certificate, and then repeating usage in relation to car registration marks. Especially as "Use for travel to and from a place of paid employment" isn't specified in either group.

bouncydog1

Under the terms of section 2 of the policy - Liability to Third Parties - the policyholder may, subject to the owner’s express consent, also drive a car not belonging to policyholder or hired to the policyholder under a hire purchase or lease agreement.


I can't see anything strange about it - you have cover for third party only if you are driving another car that does not belong to you or a car that is not hired to you under a hire purchase or lease agreement. This is because vehicles subject to HP or lease generally belong to the HP/lease company until you make the final payment and the cover is not for this purpose.

Cover for third party only means that you will be covered for damage to whomever you hit - you will have no cover at all for the vehicle you are driving. As Lisyloo says, probably better to pay and hire a vehicle just in case.

System

newfoundglory wrote: »

I do think its strange however to state cover in general terms without being specific on the certificate, and then repeating usage in relation to car registration marks. Especially as "Use for travel to and from a place of paid employment" isn't specified in either group.

It is specific though

Under the terms of section 2 of the policy - Liability to Third Parties - the policyholder may, subject to the owner’s express consent, also drive a car not belonging to policyholder or hired to the policyholder under a hire purchase or lease agreement