check your insurance policy

[Jameos]

After 26 years of having fully comprehensive insurance allowing me to drive other cars, I have just been involved in an accident and when I called RAC to report it, they told me I wasn't insured.

I have read, re read and scrutinised my policy and, I am indeed uninsured to drive other cars. RAC explained to me that this option was removed as people were 'abusing' it. Unfortunately, it wasn't an obvious exclusion. At �480, rather an expensive policy too, my previous insurance with EGG was �60 cheaper and covered me for DOC. So �60 for roadside assistance basically - and guess what, RAC wouldn't come out to assist me at the roadside after my accident.

So, now I face prosecution for driving uninsured, and I am unsure as to what the financial implication will be for me personally - 2 written off cars and 2 claims for personal injury are stacked against me at this moment.

If this can be a warning to anyone else and save you similar grief and stress, please heed it and check your policy covers you for this, as you never know when you will be called upon to drive another persons car.

Finally, as I am rather stressed at the moment, if any one can offer advice if they have been in a similar situation, I would much appreciate it. CAB have been unable to help, I'm waiting to speak to a solicitor tomorrow but if you have any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[ugly_bob]

The way it seems, you changed policies and it wasn't on your new one. Sorry to say, but you should have checked.
I came across this a couple of years ago, I think they were removed from a lot of poilicies because people were insuring themselves on an old banger FC, then just driving other cars.
Financially, don't worry. There's a cut taken off everyones insurance premiums that goes into a central pot to pay for claims against uninsured drivers. You've been paying into this for 26(+) years, so you're a lot more entitled to use it than most people who drive uninsured.

[homerthegrea]

Even if it had been in your policy it more than likely would have been 3rd party for driving another car so you would still be liable for personal claims and the car you were driving. Sorry to say and i know you are stressed by this but i can't see you having a leg to stand on - it's going to be a very costly mistake you have made

[Jameos]

I know I haven't a leg to stand on, I hoped that by informing others of my mistake it may prevent it from happening to some one else.

It was not clear that this was an exception (I know I should have read it thoroughly) so I urge you to check your policies.

[Ethel]

Homerthegrea - you are right about the cover being third party.

But third party does cover for personal injuries to third parties.

Only damage to the vehicle he was driving and personal injury to himself would not be covered.

Jameos - I wish you well. :)

[tali122]

there is a very very simple way around this problem of driving someone else;s car -but it is a bit naughty shall we say - however i must point out that i personally have not done this simple procedure as i very very rarely drive somebody else's car

[Jameos]

Ethel,
Thank you for your sentiments. I am not expecting a positive outcome, but your comments are much appreciated.

[wrigaj1]

Jameos

Many Insurance Companies have removed the driving other cars (DOC) extension as some people were abusing this extension and driving other cars regularly, and there were issues with uninsured drivers.

The extension would only be Third Party Only which would pick up all third party liabilities.

I would hope that the 3rd party would claim against the MIB (Motor Insurance Bureau) which is set up to deal with this very incident.

Mdoo98 - Insurers write to policyholders at renewal outlining changes to their policy, just as they ask for any material facts from the policyholder! I very much doubt that any Insurer would run the risk of not highlighting this; indeed it would be breaching FSA regulations and cause many a headache with the FOS!

[Jameos]

wrigaj1, that's the problem, I changed from EGG (which I had DOC cover with) to RAC in April. Therefore, I didn't get a 'heads up' that this was going to be removed. I was 'new' to RAC and unaware of any such exclusion. (and EVERY person I've spoken to since have had the same impression as me, that fully comp automatically covered to DOC).

My complaint is that it wasn't clear that such a fundamental exclusion was in existence. Nothing was made obvious - the premium was no cheaper than my EGG quote, if it had been, maybe i would have queried why (and I would expect that a policy offering less cover should be substantially cheaper).

Ultimately I'm uninsured and if MIB do pick up the costs of other party (written off car & 2 personal injury claims) then I understand that they will come to me to reclaim their costs.

I just wanted to warn others of this exclusion, to check their own policy and hopefuly not end up the quivering wreck I am at the moment until this all gets sorted out.

[wrigaj1]

Jameos, this is something that Insurers have been pushing the FSA to publicise. People assume that Comprehensive cover provides DOC which, it doesn't. It is not a policy exclusion, it was a benefit that policyholders enjoyed.

DOC will be removed from almost all motor insurance policies in future.

I would suggest to anybody that the read the 'key facts summary' which highlights your motor policy and also read your policy document as soon as you receive. As a retail customer, you have a cooling off period, within such prescribed timescales you can cancel your policy.

[des3des]

tali122,
what is this 'very very simple way of driving someone elses car' that you speak of?