You will need to read through the terms of your third (3rd) party auto insurance policy to see if it covers you driving other people's vehicles. Insurance policies and their terms vary from insurance company to insurance company so that is why you will need to read your policy and speak to your insurance agent to find out the specifics of your third party car insurance policy.

Third party insurance is a term used in the US but more frequently used in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia to name a few countries. It appears that you live in the UK. Third party only (TPO) car insurance is the bare minimum level of car insurance required in the UK. This coverage basically protects third parties (drivers or pedestrians) if you cause injure to them, or cause damage to their property (normally a vehicle).

When your insurance policy covers driving someone else's car this is termed in the UK as Driving Other Cars cover (DOC). We have read that providing third party insurance coverage to motorist driving another person's vehicle has been a common feature of comprehensive motor insurance policies in the UK however in the recent years some of the insurers have dropped the benefit.

The insurers stopped allowing this benefit after complaining that some policyholders who were using it to get cheaper cover on a second more expensive or more powerful car. For example one would insure a Ford Fiesta but then use their friend's BMW and want their third party coverage to extend to this more expensive car which would have a higher cost if they were to insure themselves with third party.

Some insurers do though still extend third party coverage to someone's car that you drive with permission. For example, you can learn more on our UK site. The ability to drive other cars is an extension that can be found on some policies. It is a misconception that this cover is only available on comprehensive cover. Often third party policies will also cover the policyholder to drive other cars on a third party basis.

The 'driving other cars extension' has eligibility criteria that differ from insurer to insurer but typically age and occupation are used to assess whether a driver qualifies.

It is important that you understand clearly the restrictions that apply to this type of coverage to see if your third party coverage allows you to drive another person's vehicle, and be properly insured, read through your third party motor vehicle insurance policy and if you still have questions or concerns speak with your insurance agent.