Uninsured but sort of misled- how bad will this be?

Shadowdancing

So a friend of mine has just called me in hysterics. I'll try and add more details if anyone has any questions but I feel terrible for her and wonder if there is anything she can do.

I'll try and cut a long story short. She had to visit her parents and was transporting an item back to them which wouldn't fit in her little car. When discussing this at work a friend of hers suggested she take hers, and told her not to worry about insurance as they were fully comprehensive so she could drive the car with their permission. They said that she'd only be covered for accidents (3rd party etc.) but the car was old and they weren't worried about something happening to it.

Gratefully she accepted. It's a long round trip and on her way home it was really dark and the police pulled her over to tell her a tail light was out. Then they started asking who's car it was. And told her she needed to produce documents to prove she was insured for driving it.

So back to the work mate who said she was. Careful check of the documents and- oh dear! There is no clause to say she can drive it with permission.

Now she's so upset she has had to go home sick and is absolutely beside herself. I feel so bad for her as she's so honest and wouldn't have taken the car if she'd not been reassured she was ok to drive it.

She's 32, clean licence for about 10 years I think, no prior accidents or issues.

Can anyone tell me what's going to happen her and if she can do anything? PLEASE be gentle, she's equally upset at what might have happened if she'd been in an accident and hurt someone.

Thanks in advance.

Browntoa

She's possibly covered for 3rd party only on her own policy

Rolandtheroadie

Check her own policy. It's that that might cover her for driving other vehicles.

Failing that, the person that loaned the car could be in soapy bubbles as well.

Car_54

If her own policy covers her, no problem.

If it doesn't, it's likely six points and £300 fine for each of them.

AdrianC

It would be HER insurance that would cover her to drive other cars (or not), rather than THEIR insurance covering any driver.

Unless her own policy does provide that, then she's bang-to-rights for driving without insurance (IN10, 6pts+, band C fine - c.150% of weekly income). And, as Roland suggests, the person who told her it was fine could be in line for causing/permitting her to drive without insurance (IN14, same penalties)

http://www.forsterdean.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/driving-with-no-insurance-sentencing-guidelines.pdf

Shadowdancing

Thanks all, I'll call her later and tell her to look at her policy.

Silver-Surfer_2

AdrianC wrote: »

It would be HER insurance that would cover her to drive other cars (or not), rather than THEIR insurance covering any driver.

Unless her own policy does provide that, then she's bang-to-rights for driving without insurance (IN10, 6pts+, band C fine - c.150% of weekly income). And, as Roland suggests, the person who told her it was fine could be in line for causing/permitting her to drive without insurance (IN14, same penalties)

http://www.forsterdean.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/driving-with-no-insurance-sentencing-guidelines.pdf

The owner would be permitting not causing.

Mojisola

AdrianC wrote: »

It would be HER insurance that would cover her to drive other cars (or not), rather than THEIR insurance covering any driver.

It's a few years ago now but my Dad's insurance allowed any other driver (over a certain age).

Mercdriver

There are insurance policies that allow other drivers to drive with policy holder's and car owner's permission. I know because I have one. It's in black and white on the documentation.

As far as the OP is concerned, the friend should check her documentation to check if she gets 3rd party cover on other cars. If this is all in order she should produce this and the charges should go away.

Otherwise it's a matter of trying for Significant Reasons not to endorse, but not guarantee this will work.

interstellaflyer

Mercdriver wrote: »

There are insurance policies that allow other drivers to drive with policy holder's and car owner's permission. I know because I have one. It's in black and white on the documentation.

Yes you are correct, however the ownous is on the driver to check He/She is covered and not just take someone's word for it. As it happens, the OPs friend could be covered on their own insurance.

Mercdriver

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Yes you are correct, however the ownous is on the driver to check He/She is covered and not just take someone's word for it. As it happens, the OPs friend could be covered on their own insurance.

This is very true. Going by the number of cases like this both here and on pepipoo, there needs to be more education. Also third party cover on other cars is no longer automatic on Fully Comp policies so people are getting caught out. I think it's a change across the industry that should have been communicated more than it has.

My insurance cover is more comprehensive than most - I get fully comprehensive cover on any car that isn't normally kept at my address. As a relatively new driver (3 years now, but as a 45 year old) my insurance for my 2010 E Class is around £800. It's been at that level from the start. A non fault accident meant I didn't get a reduction.