Third Party Cover only in an Emergency?

donp_3

Dear ALL,

This maybe because I'm a little slow but I have fully comp cover with Direct Line and although I can't see it anywhere on my Certificate of insurance, they have stated that although I am covered to drive another card under Third Party cover, I will only be covered if I drove it as an EMERGENCY. I read of an instance where a claim was rejected because of this clause. Has anyone had experience of this? Most of my car insurance policies over the years have always been fully comp but I have never heard of this clause until now.

lisyloo

and although I can't see it anywhere on my Certificate of insurance

Why don't you check out 1b of Section A in your policy document (available on-line of you've lost it).

My understanding is that you should not use this under normal circumstances.

You would use it in an unplanned situation where (for example) the driver is ill and there is no alternative.
If you are planning to drive someone else's car then it would be advisable to get insurance.

But it's ok to use it if someone has gone to hospital, is ill or some other unplanned emergency.
It's not OK to use it as a way of avoiding insurance on planned journeys.

DaisyFlower

The policy booklet will be standard and applies to all policies and is read in conjunction with your schedule that will show any exclusions.

If it doesnt state it on the certificate of insurance (under the reg number section) then if you were stopped by the police or had an accident you wouldnt be covered.

Lots of insurers state that the DOC extension is only for emergency use to stop it being abused.

lisyloo

Personally I would not use it if you do not have it on your documentation or do not have it in writing.

It simply isn't worth driving without insurance.

If you are going on a long trip then it's worth considering what would happen if the drive is feeling unwell and plan for it in advance.

donp_3

Thank you for your replies.

My COI does state that I can drive other cars with Third party cover but that's it! nothing about only in an emergency, the policy doesn't state it either unless it's somewhere else that I don't know. I have to admit that I've driven other cars with peace of mind thinking I'm covered with Third party cover whether planned or unplanned journeys are involved.