For one of a number of reasons, your friend may have given you their permission to use their car perhaps because yours is not working and you need to get to a meeting or a function. So, what happens if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a road traffic accident whilst at the wheel of your friend’s vehicle?
Well, there are a number of things that will have a bearing as to how you stand. For instance, if you are driving your friend’s car and are named as an additional driver on your friend’s motor insurance policy then you will be covered to the same level as the policyholder i.e. if your friend has fully comprehensive cover then so will you meaning that you will be covered for damage to any vehicle involved in the accident or damage to any property or injury or death of a passenger or any other people. This cover would apply even if you were at fault for the accident.
If your friend only has third party cover then you will not be covered for any damage to the vehicle you are driving but will be covered for damage to the other vehicles involved in the accident or other property or injury or death to third parties.
However, if you are not named as an additional driver on your friend’s policy then you can only drive your friend’s car if you have a fully comprehensive car insurance policy in your own name but you will only be covered for third party cover when you are driving your friend’s car.
If you drive your friend’s car but you are not insured as an additional driver on your friend’s policy or you do not have fully comprehensive cover on your own car then you are breaking the law and would have no cover if involved in a road traffic accident. The penalty for such an offence is severe and would cost you dearly in more ways than one.
