Our next technical article in our Insurance Explained series covers the subject of cover whilst you drive another car.
We'll explain why this extension is provided by insurers, how it benefits you and what the limitations usually are. We'll also expand on the cover available under our policies.
Many UK motor insurance policies include cover to operate when you are driving a vehicle other than your own. This is referred to as a Driving Other Cars, or DOC, extension and it is designed to do exactly what the name suggests as above.
Cover is usually provided on a Third Party Only basis – this means that you are insured only in relation to claims for damage to other vehicles and injury to other people. It will not cover damage to the vehicle under any circumstances, you must have the express permission of the vehicle's owner and there must also be a valid insurance policy covering the vehicle you're driving.
Cover usually applies only to you as Policyholder and not to anyone else named on your policy. You'll need to check your current policy of course, but most policies follow the same path.
If you drive someone else's car regularly, it is a very good idea to be added to their policy on a Comprehensive basis as a named driver, so that any damage to the vehicle will be insured.
Insurers do not always offer the extension automatically and will usually refuse to give the cover to drivers aged under 25 or who work in particular industries, such as the motor trade.
In reality, it is designed for very infrequent or emergency use such as taking a sick person to hospital and some insurers are reviewing their position as regards continuing to provide the cover to avoid confusion and the risk of a driver mistakenly using a vehicle whilst uninsured.
Lockton understand that there exists some uncertainty around this topic and our policies have been designed to tackle this, simply and efficiently.
Under the Driving of Non-Owned Vehicles extension, we have firstly designed this to operate on a Comprehensive basis. We recognise that the risk of damaging someone else's vehicle is not only embarrassing but potentially expensive so our policy provides hassle-free cover.
Next, it can be applied to other drivers named on your policy. We may not be able to provide this for everyone named – younger drivers for example – but we will make it clear before you take the policy out who this will apply to.
It applies to vehicles not owned by you or members of your household and it means that you don't need to try and arrange cover on a Comprehensive basis as and when you need to – it's already there, in place and taken care of for you.
Our approach is one of pragmatism; you have a busy life and you need your insurance to operate simply and effectively. Covering you to drive other cars comprehensively is just one of many ways Lockton do things differently so talk to us today and find out why more than 7,000 owners of specialist, classic and supercars trust us to protect the things that matter.