Having the flexibility to drive another car can be invaluable. Perhaps you’re in an emergency, and need to use your partner’s car. Or maybe you’ve been invited on a tour with a friend, and you want to trade places behind the wheel. While some comprehensive cover won’t provide it, a driving other cars (DOC) extension is a relatively common feature under most motor insurance policies.
Here’s how it works, and why it’s necessary to be insured to drive other cars:
How a driving other cars extension works
Essentially, a DOC extension covers you to drive someone else’s vehicle under your own motor insurance policy.
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 itself under any circumstances.
To drive a vehicle that isn’t your own, the vehicle must be insured under a valid policy, and you must have the express permission of the vehicle’s owner. You must also remember that cover usually applies only to you as policyholder and not to anyone else named on your policy.
What’s more, insurers do not always offer a DOC extension automatically. They will usually refuse to give cover to drivers aged under 25 or who work in certain industries, such as the motor trade.
What if I drive another car regularly?
If you drive someone else’s car regularly, it’s a good idea to be added to their policy on a comprehensive basis as a named driver.
Unlike a DOC extension, this will ensure that any damage caused to the vehicle will be insured, protecting you and the owner from a potentially hefty repair bill.
Hassle-free cover for driving other cars
The risk of damaging someone else’s vehicle is not only embarrassing, but potentially expensive. That’s why our specialist car insurance policy provides hassle-free cover on a comprehensive basis, through our driving of non-owned vehicles extension.
The extension applies to vehicles not owned by you, or by members of your household. This saves you the trouble of arranging cover on a comprehensive basis every time you need to drive another car. It is not designed for infrequent or emergency use only.
It can be applied to other drivers named on your policy, although it might not be available for everyone, such as younger drivers. You will receive clear information on who the extension will apply to before you take out the policy.
With the inclusion of a driving of non-owned vehicles extension, you can rest assured that you’re covered – whether you’re simply trying out a friend’s car, sharing the driving over a longer distance, or more.
If you need further assistance, please visit our Performance (opens a new window) page, or contact a member of our team.
