Car insurance - driving other cars.

balsingh

Like most comprehensive policies, mine allows me to drive other cars third party. I have a query though:

Does the other car have to be insured by the owner? Reason I ask is that my friend who owns the car is working abroad for 6 months and feels there is no point insuring the car the car till he gets back. The car is owned by him and is taxed but just sits in his garage.

He told me I could use the car if I ever needed to as my insurance would allow me to drive it third party even though he hasnt got any insurance on the car.

He said that if somehting should happen to the car while I was driving, the third party would claim from my policy anyway so it didnt matter whether he had insurance or not.

Basically, if I drive the car, is it covered?

lisyloo

Does the other car have to be insured by the owner?

If it's on private property i.e. not on the road, then it doesn't have to be insured.
Of course it won't be covered if someone breaks into the garage and steals it.

Basically, if I drive the car, is it covered?

Yes but ONLY 3rd party.

You will NOT be covered for theft or your liability in any accident e.g. you smash his car up.
You also cannot park the car on the public road (because you are only insured to DRIVE it) so you would have to park it in a garage or on private land (like a privately owned driveway).
You will not be covered for theft which might be a concern if it's left outdoors.

This kind of cover is really designed for emergencies and not general use.
I think the answer is that you are insured while DRIVING it but only at the minimum level.

BFG_2

Careful some insurers are now withdrawing this type of cover from their policy!!!!!!!!