Motorists could land themselves a hefty fine – and even points on their licence – if they make this little-known mistake.
Using a car belonging to a family member or close friend, even for the shortest of trips could land you in some hot water when it comes to car insurance laws.
Driving a car – when you are not a ‘named driver’ on the insurance policy – would result in a motorist not being properly insured and in some cases a £1,000 fine.
According to experts from Easyquote, both the driver as well as the car’s owner are at risk of punishment if a non-named driver is behind the wheel.
Easyquote spokesperson, Chris Richards urged drivers to ensure they had ‘specific’ insurance coverage before heading off on their journey.
Motorists could land themselves a heft £1,000 if they allow friends and family behind the wheel of their motor without the proper insurance (stock image)
‘Borrowing a car for short-term use, whether for a road trip, family activities, or events, requires specific insurance coverage,’ he revealed.
‘Simply adding a name to an existing policy isn’t always enough, as there are precise conditions that both the driver and the vehicle must meet to be eligible for temporary cover.’
Drivers have previously been warned about the ‘significant fines’ that come along with the wrong type of coverage, according to The Express.
Some motorists who are caught out could face an eye-watering eight points on their licence or possibly a driving ban.
In certain cases the owner of the vehicle could even be taken to court for allowing an uninsured family member or friend behind the wheel of their vehicle.
Going against the rule could also put some road users at risk of their entire car insurance police being invalidated immediately.
Many motorists believe a fully comprehensive policy may have them covered due to the Drive Other Cars (DOC) clause often included, giving third-party protection for those driving another car.
But it shouldn’t be immediately assumed this will be the case, according to EasyQuote.
They explained that many insurance companies no longer include DOC cover as part of their agreements.
Chris continued: ‘Ensuring you’re properly insured isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about protecting yourself and others on the road.’
Many drivers think a DOC (Drive Other Cars) clause is included in their comprehensive insurance policy – but this is sometimes not the case (stock image)
This comes shortly after a motoring expert urged motorists to notify their insurance providers if the device is hard-wired into their car.
Many dash cans simply require users to plug them in via the vehicle’s USB port or cigarette lighter.
However while a hard-wired dash-cam boasts several advantages such as remaining on whilst no one is present or when the engine isn’t on – it is considered a modification.
Car insurance comparison site, Confused.com, also confirmed an insurer would need to be notified of a wired dash cam.
‘It’s frustrating to think that doing something proactive to protect yourself from a claim, or even theft, might come back to bite you, but motorists need to be aware of the legalities concerning dash cams,’ Managing Director at Select Van Leasing, Graham Conway said.