When you pay for fully comprehensive car insurance, it’s easy to assume you’re covered for almost anything. You might think that means you can jump into any car and drive it without worrying about insurance.
In reality, it’s usually not that simple. In most cases, a fully comprehensive policy only covers the specific car (or cars) named on it. Being fully comp on your own car doesn’t automatically mean you’re insured to drive someone else’s.
In this guide, you’ll see how fully comprehensive cover really works, what Driving Other Cars (DOC) means and what happens if you get it wrong. We’ll also look at the safer alternatives available when you need to borrow a car, including temporary cover.
Does fully comp insurance let me drive someone else’s car?
In most cases, no. Fully comprehensive insurance is the highest common level of car insurance in the UK. It usually means your insurer will cover:
- Damage to other people and their property
- Damage to your own car (subject to your policy terms and excess)
- Certain additional benefits, such as windscreen cover or personal accident cover, depending on the provider
However, this cover usually applies only to the car listed on your policy. It doesn’t automatically extend to any other car you choose to drive.
Many drivers still think fully comp covers them on other cars because:
- Some older policies used to include Driving Other Cars as standard
- Friends or family may have told them it’s always allowed
- They’ve never had to check their documents before
Modern policies and comprehensive insurance restrictions are often stricter. If you want to drive someone else’s car, the only time your own policy might help is if it includes a specific clause known as DOC.
What is DOC cover and do I have it?
Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover is an extra permission that may appear on some fully comprehensive policies. It’s not a separate policy. It’s simply a line in your existing policy wording that sets out the limited conditions where you can drive another vehicle.
DOC typically works very differently from your usual fully comprehensive cover.
How DOC typically works
Although every insurer is different, DOC usually:
- Only applies to the policyholder, not named drivers
- Only covers you to drive a car that doesn’t belong to you and isn’t hired to you
- Only provides third-party only cover – this means if you cause an accident, damage to the other person and their vehicle may be covered, but damage to the car you are driving normally isn’t
- Is intended for occasional or emergency use, not regular driving of another car
- May exclude certain vehicle types, such as vans or commercial vehicles
Because of these limitations and exclusions for driving other vehicles, DOC is not a reliable way to use someone else’s car day-to-day or for planned trips. Even where it exists, it’s often designed for rare situations, such as needing to move a car in an emergency.
How to check if your policy includes DOC
You can’t assume you have DOC just because you have fully comprehensive insurance. You need to check your documents.
The best place to look is your certificate of motor insurance and your policy schedule. These are official documents your insurer sends when you buy or renew your policy.
On the certificate, there’s usually a section called something like:
- Limitations as to use
- Persons or classes of persons entitled to drive
- Use of vehicle
If DOC is included, you may see a line that says something similar to:
- The policyholder may also drive, with the owner’s permission, a motor car not owned by the policyholder…
If you don’t see anything like this, or the wording is unclear, you shouldn’t assume DOC applies. It’s safer to contact your insurer directly or arrange separate cover instead.
Can I drive a friend’s car on my insurance?
You can only drive a friend’s car on your own insurance if all of the following are true:
- Your policy clearly includes DOC
- Your friend’s car meets any conditions in your policy (for example, already insured in their name)
- You meet any age or licence restrictions set out by your insurer
Even then, DOC usually only gives you third-party cover. That means if you damage your friend’s car in an accident, their car is often not covered under your DOC extension. They would need to claim on their own policy, or pay for repairs themselves.
This can cause awkward conversations and financial stress, especially if the car is important to their daily life.
For planned journeys, such as borrowing a car for a day trip, a weekend away or to help someone move, relying on DOC is rarely the best option. A short-term policy that’s fully comprehensive on the car you’re actually driving is normally a safer and clearer solution.
Is DOC included for younger drivers?
DOC cover is often not available for younger drivers, especially those under 25. Many insurers see this as a higher-risk group and choose not to offer DOC to them at all.
That means if you’re a younger driver, you should be especially careful not to rely on this type of cover. Even if your friends or family have DOC on their policies, your own situation may be different.
If you want to drive a parent’s or friend’s car as a younger driver, the more realistic options are usually:
- Being added as a named driver on their annual policy, if you’ll use the car regularly
- Taking out temporary car insurance in your own name for short-term, occasional use
Both options are usually clearer and safer than hoping DOC applies and risking driving with only third-party cover.
What happens if you drive a car you’re not insured to drive?
Driving without valid insurance is a serious offence in the UK. If you drive a car you aren’t insured to drive, you could face:
- A financial penalty
- Points on your licence
- Your car being seized or even destroyed in some circumstances
There may also be longer-term consequences. A conviction for driving without insurance can make it harder and more expensive to get cover in future.
Beyond the legal position, there’s also the financial risk. If you cause an accident in a car you aren’t insured to drive, you may be personally responsible for:
- Damage to other vehicles or property
- Injury to other road users
- Damage to the car you’re driving
This is why it’s so important to be absolutely sure you’re insured before you get behind the wheel of any car. If you’re in any doubt, it’s safer not to drive until you’ve checked, or you’ve arranged suitable cover.
Safe alternatives if you need to drive someone else’s car
If you need to drive a car that’s not your own, there are clearer and safer options than relying on DOC.
Temporary car insurance
Temporary or short-term car insurance is a separate policy that covers you to drive a specific car for a short period of time. For example, with Dayinsure you can get comprehensive cover from one hour up to a week or even 30 days, depending on your needs.
Key benefits include:
- Fully comprehensive cover on the car you’re actually driving
- The policy is in your name, so it’s very clear who is insured
- The car owner’s existing annual policy and their no-claims discount are normally protected, because your temporary policy is separate
- Flexible durations, so you only pay for the time you need
This makes temporary insurance ideal for:
- Borrowing a friend’s or family member’s car
- Test driving a car you’re thinking of buying
- Driving a car home after buying it from a private seller
- Sharing the driving on a long trip in someone else’s vehicle
Adding a named driver
Another option is for the car owner to add you as a named driver on their annual policy. This can make sense when:
- You need to drive the car regularly or over a longer period
- You’re part of the same household or use the car often
As a named driver, you’re listed on their policy documents, and the insurer knows you’ll be driving that car. This gives more clarity than relying on DOC, but it may affect the premium on the main policy.
Other options: courtesy cars, hire cars and any-driver policies
In some situations, the car may come with its own insurance.
- Courtesy cars from garages usually include basic cover arranged by the garage or their insurer
- Hire or rental cars typically include insurance, or give you the option to add it as part of the rental agreement
Businesses or organisations that need many people to drive their vehicles may use any-driver or fleet policies. These are specialist products and aren’t normally relevant to most everyday private drivers.
Common situations and what cover you need
Sometimes the quickest way to understand your options is to look at real-life scenarios.
Borrowing your partner’s car
If you drive your partner’s car occasionally, don’t assume your own fully comp cover applies. The safer options are:
- Being added as a named driver on their policy if you drive it often
- Taking out temporary cover for the times you know you’ll be driving it
Driving your parents’ car when home from university
If you’re a student who only uses a parent’s car during uni holidays:
- Being a named driver can work if you use the car regularly while you are home
- Temporary cover can be a good option for short stays or specific journeys
In both cases, relying on DOC is risky, especially for younger drivers.
Taking a friend’s car for a weekend
For a weekend trip using a friend’s car:
- DOC isn’t usually designed for this kind of planned, extended use
- A short-term comprehensive policy in your own name is usually clearer and gives better protection for both of you
Driving a new car home from a private seller
When you buy a car from a private seller, you need insurance in place before you drive it away. If you don’t have an annual policy arranged yet:
- A temporary driveaway policy can cover you for the journey home
- You can then arrange longer-term insurance once you’re ready
Helping in an emergency
If you need to drive someone else’s car in an emergency, for example, to take them to hospital:
- DOC might apply in some situations, but only if your policy clearly includes it and all conditions are met
- If you aren’t sure, it may be safer to use other options such as a taxi, ambulance or help from someone you know is properly insured
Whenever possible, planning ahead with temporary cover is safer than hoping your policy will stretch to an unexpected situation.
Get in touch with us for insurance to drive any car in the UK
Fully comprehensive insurance gives strong protection for your own car, but it doesn’t usually mean you can drive any car you like. Driving Other Cars cover, where it exists, is limited, often third-party only, and not something you should rely on for everyday use or planned journeys.
If you need to drive someone else’s car, arranging clear, specific cover is the safest option for both you and the vehicle owner. Temporary car cover alternatives with Dayinsure let you get behind the wheel of a borrowed or newly bought car with confidence, for as long as you need and no longer.
Get a quote for temporary comprehensive cover with Dayinsure today.
FAQs on driving any car with insurance
Does fully comp insurance let me drive someone else’s car?
Not usually. Fully comprehensive cover normally applies to the car named on your policy. You can only drive someone else’s car if your policy clearly includes Driving Other Cars cover and all conditions are met.
What is DOC cover and do I have it?
Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover is an extra permission some insurers add to a policy. It may allow you to drive another car on a third-party only basis. You’ll only have it if it’s clearly stated in your certificate or policy schedule.
Can I drive a friend’s car on my insurance?
You can only drive a friend’s car on your own insurance if your policy includes DOC and the car and circumstances meet all the conditions. Even then, your friend’s car itself isn’t usually covered for damage under DOC.
Is DOC included for younger drivers?
DOC is often not offered to younger drivers, especially those under 25. If you’re a younger driver, you shouldn’t assume you have DOC unless it’s specifically listed in your documents.
Can I drive any car with fully comprehensive insurance in the UK?
No. Fully comprehensive insurance doesn’t automatically cover you to drive any car. It normally only covers the vehicle on your policy, unless DOC is clearly included.
Is DOC the same as comprehensive cover?
No. DOC is usually third-party only. It’s much more limited than the fully comprehensive cover you have on your own car.
Does DOC cover apply abroad?
DOC often only applies within the UK when you have it. You need to check your policy documents or speak to your insurer if you’re planning to drive abroad.
Does the other car need to have its own insurance?
In many cases, DOC only applies if the other car is already insured in its own right. Your policy will set out the exact conditions.
Can I use DOC for regular driving?
DOC is usually meant for occasional or emergency use, not regular driving of another person’s car. Using it regularly could go against your insurer’s conditions.
What’s the safest way to drive a car that isn’t mine?
The safest approach is to arrange clear, specific cover for that car in your own name. Temporary comprehensive insurance from a provider like Dayinsure can give you that protection for anything from a single hour to several weeks.
