Nearly half of young UK drivers do not realise they may not be insured when driving someone else's car, according to new research. The study, commissioned by Compare the Market, found that 83% of young drivers have driven another person's vehicle, yet four in 10 (40%) mistakenly believed that being the designated driver automatically means they are insured to drive.
Among those who have borrowed another vehicle, 16% admitted they did not check whether they were insured before driving, while 41% said they did not check their insurance cover every time they get behind the wheel of someone else's car.
Common misconceptions around cover
The research revealed three common misconceptions around driving someone else's car:
- 40% wrongly believe that being the designated driver automatically means they are insured to drive.
- 38% believe that having comprehensive car insurance automatically allows them to drive another person's vehicle.
- 31% think the car owner's insurance automatically covers them to drive their car.
Despite 47% of young drivers saying they have driven someone else's car as a designated driver on a night out, 13% admitted they were unsure whether this meant they were covered. The researchers said the findings highlighted a wider knowledge gap around car insurance, with common misconceptions potentially leaving young drivers without valid cover when borrowing someone else's vehicle.
Penalties and consequences overlooked
Fewer than six in 10 young drivers identified standard penalties, meaning 40% failed to recognise that they could receive penalty points on their licence, while 41% did not identify the possibility of a fine. More than half (51%) also failed to recognise that they could be left paying for damage themselves following an accident, the researchers said.
Other potential consequences were overlooked by even more respondents, with 56% failing to identify the possibility of a driving ban, 59% not recognising the risk of criminal prosecution, 60% overlooking higher future insurance premiums, and 62% failing to identify that their vehicle could be seized.
Checks before driving someone else's car
While borrowing another person's car is relatively common, the researchers said their findings suggested checking insurance was not always part of the process. Of those who have borrowed a car, one in six (16%) admitted they did not check whether they were insured before driving it, while 41% failed to verify their insurance every single time they drove another vehicle.
This could be particularly important for young drivers who regularly borrow cars from family and friends, the researchers said. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 41% were most likely to borrow a parent's car, while 25 to 34-year-olds were most likely to borrow a partner's car (42%).
Sam Wilson, car insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: "Being the designated driver is a great way to help friends and family get home safely, but it's important to remember that staying sober doesn't automatically mean you're insured to drive someone else's car. The same goes for having your own comprehensive policy, or assuming the car owner's insurance will cover you - neither is a given and it's easy to end up driving uninsured without realising it."
"Before getting behind the wheel, take a few minutes to check your insurance policy and make sure you're covered to drive that particular vehicle. If you're not covered, there may be options available, such as arranging temporary car insurance, depending on your circumstances," he added.
"It's also worth remembering the risks involved in skipping that check. Uninsured drivers could face penalty points, fines, or even having to pay for costly repairs out of their own pocket if an accident happens. The key thing is not to make assumptions, if you're borrowing someone else's car, confirm your cover before you set off."
