Temporary driver - what's the legality?

[umblecumbuz]

My daughter is coming for a visit. She has her own car with fully comp, but will be coming by train. As she also wants to visit local friends I want to lend her one of our cars, also fully comp.

Can I just lend a car, or do I have to go through the rigmarole of making her a temporary additional driver? Unsure - hence your advices are welcome.

 

[LostKiwi]

It depends on the insurance she has on her own vehicle.
If she has comprehensive insurance on her vehicle and is entitled on her policy to drive other vehicles (not a given) then she can drive your vehicles without the need to do anything more. However... her cover will only be third party.

If you want her fully comp on your vehicle then you will need to add her to your policy.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Absolutely. Check her policy first.

 

[davemercedes]

Absolutely. Check her policy first.

I was insured with LV when I needed to cover our daughter temporarily. They wanted £15 for a week and something like £17.50 to add her for the year - it wasn't worth arguing about.

 

[BernardB]

I would not feel safe (either for her or your car!) unless she was added to your policy. Depends on your insurance company how much of a pain (and expense) this will be. They will certainly want to know her motoring history.

 

[triumphstag]

Yes, just to re-itterate that she needs to check her policy as she may or may not be covered for driving other cars under her policy (this is often removed for younger drivers) and as LostKiwi says it will only be third party cover if she is - Legal but if she damages your car the insurance won't cover it. Worth checking how much to add her to your policy (or even add your car to her policy) then assess the risk/cost

 

[umblecumbuz]

Thanks all. Now I see the way forward.
Looks like I'll be adding her as a named driver.

 

[Craiglxviii]

My policy allows me fully comp for any car that I have permission to drive...

 

[triumphstag]

My policy allows me fully comp for any car that I have permission to drive...

As does mine, but for lots of young drivers, this is removed.

Edit, apologies. Misread your original post.

 

[LostKiwi]

My policy allows me fully comp for any car that I have permission to drive...

You may also find that buried somewhere in the fine print is a little clause limiting liability to the value of your own car or with a restriction on engine size to be the same as yours. Otherwise you could in theory insure a Micra which is kept out in the garden shed and use a Lambo as a daily drive...

 

[turbopete]

My policy allows me fully comp for any car that I have permission to drive...

that's very rare nowadays. I had such a policy years ago, to the extent that it didn't even mention a reg number or a car on the policy. it WASNT a trade policy (or if it was it was cheaper than every other company for a private car policy, which at age 20 I doubt!) and when I changed my car, they actually TOLD me that I didn't need inform them as I was insured for ANY CAR!!

 

[BernardB]

Thanks all. Now I see the way forward.
Looks like I'll be adding her as a named driver.

It may be cheaper to add her as a temporary driver. The insurers will tell you.

 

[ChrisKnottIns]

All sound advice chaps.


best,
Nick