Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance UK?

Asked by: Dale Huels III  |  Last update: June 30, 2023
Score: 5/5 (49 votes)

It might be an emergency or you may have permission from the car owner, but that doesn't mean it's legal. Unless you're a 'named driver' on their car insurance, you almost certainly won't be insured. And both the driver and car owner can run into trouble if caught without the necessary cover.

Can you drive someone else's car without being on their insurance UK?

Insurance is a legal requirement in the UK and if you do drive another car without being insured then you're breaking the law. That means you risk a hefty fine, penalty points and possible disqualification.

Can you drive any car if you are fully comp?

Having fully comp insurance on your own vehicle doesn't mean that you're fully comp on someone else's. If your insurance provider does allow you to drive a different vehicle, it's likely that they will only provide third party cover as a maximum.

Can someone drive my car and be covered on my insurance UK?

You can only use the car in the UK for the purposes stated on your certificate. The extension to drive other cars only applies to the policyholder and NOT named drivers. It only provides cover for third party damage or injury, and NOT fire, theft or accidental damage.

Can someone else drive my car UK?

There's no limit to how many people can drive the car, so any friends or family, who have your permission, are legally insured to drive it. This type of car insurance is far less common, as most people only have one, or a few, named drivers added to their existing policy.

Driving illegally without insurance uk

23 related questions found

Can you drive someone else's car without being a named driver?

'Driving other cars' is a clause in your policy that allows you to drive someone else's car without being a named driver on their policy. It's important to understand that if such a clause isn't included, you aren't covered to drive other cars – even if your insurance policy is fully comprehensive.

What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident UK?

If someone else is driving your car and another person causes the accident, the at-fault driver's insurance is usually responsible for covering costs. On the other hand, if the driver of your car is at fault, your car insurance will usually cover damages.

Should I let my friend drive my car?

Whether uninsured, underinsured or an insured driver, if someone is an accident while driving your vehicle, you could be put in a bad situation, so be guarded about letting other people drive your vehicle. Don't let just anyone drive your car. Make sure they are a trustworthy driver and have a good driving record.

Can I drive someone else's car with their insurance?

It might be an emergency or you may have permission from the car owner, but that doesn't mean it's legal. Unless you're a 'named driver' on their car insurance, you almost certainly won't be insured. And both the driver and car owner can run into trouble if caught without the necessary cover.

Is driving someone else's car illegal?

Under standard car insurance policies, you will be okay to drive someone else's car. It should go without saying you need the owner's permission to do so, or else your cover will not be valid.

Does the main driver have to be the registered keeper?

But the main driver doesn't necessarily have to be the owner or the registered keeper. This is pretty common for married couples. If you're married, one of you can own the car and be the registered keeper. But if your spouse drives the car more often than you do, they'll need to be listed as the "main driver".

What insurance do I need to drive someone else's car?

The car you want to drive must be covered by an existing insurance policy and you must have permission to drive it. Driving other cars cover is usually only available on a comprehensive car insurance policy, so if you have third party (or third party, fire & theft) cover, you won't be covered to drive any other cars.

Why you shouldn't let someone else drive your car?

They could lose control of your vehicle and collide with another vehicle. That could put you on the hook to cover the damages. Although you may trust your friend, you shouldn't risk your car and your insurance coverage by allowing them to drive your vehicle.

Can my girlfriend drive my car?

Some drivers will be covered under your policy as long as you have given them permission to drive your car. This is considered "permissive use." These drivers may include immediate or extended family, friends, or even a boyfriend or girlfriend who doesn't live with you.

What if my friend wants to drive my car?

Answer provided by. “Auto insurance follows the vehicle. So if your car is the one being driven on the road trip, it will be your insurance that kicks in to provide coverage—no matter what kind of insurance your friend has. In this situation, your friend would have permissive use of your car.

Can you lend your car to a friend?

In Quebec, you can lend your car to anyone with a valid driver's licence. However, since no one is immune from having a traffic accident, you're better to know how automobile insurance works.

Do I need my own insurance to be a named driver?

Does a named driver need their own insurance? No, you do not need your own insurance policy as a named driver. The entire point is that named drivers can be added to an existing policy.

How does insurance work if you borrow a car?

If you allow someone else to borrow your car, it's still covered by your insurance policy. Insurers call this "permissive use." This is true even when the driver carries their own insurance. However, both your insurance policy and the driver's insurance may apply in the event of an accident.

How does insurance work when you lend your car?

Whether you're allowing a friend to borrow your car or the borrower of a friend's car, the general rule of thumb is that a car insurance policy is associated with the car, not the driver. Therefore, if a friend borrows your car, they're likely covered by your insurance policy.

Why you shouldn't let people borrow your car?

Friends causing car accidents

Suppose you lend the car to a friend, who causes an accident. Your liability insurance would pay to repair damage to the other vehicle and any medical bills, up to your policy limits. Once those limits are reached, your friend would be responsible for what's left over.

Can you insure a car if you are not the registered keeper?

Yes, it is possible to insure a car that you don't own but you'll need to inform the insurer that you are neither the registered keeper of the vehicle, nor the owner. Not all insurers will offer cover as the main driver if you are not the registered keeper of the car, but some will.

Can you be the policy holder but not the main driver?

Does the policyholder have to be the main driver? Generally, insurance policies are set up with the policyholder also being the main driver of the car. It's worth noting that it's illegal for anyone other than the main driver to be placed as the policy holder, this is 'fronting'.

Does it matter who the main driver is on car insurance?

The main driver on your car insurance

And others don't understand who the actual main driver is. The declared main driver should be the person who: regularly uses a car to drive to or from work / place of education. uses the car for the highest percentage of the time.

Is fronting illegal?

So it's understandable that a parent or carer might want to insure a car in their name when they're not the main driver, to help ease the financial burden a bit. But this is known as car insurance fronting. It's a type of car insurance fraud, it's illegal and could land you with a criminal record.

How do you get caught for fronting?

Fronting will most likely be discovered when a claim is made. If it is the named driver who is involved in a collision, for example, an insurance provider may launch an investigation. Should the insurer conclude that fronting has occurred, it may refuse to pay for any damage.