There are many details and information in the small print that can vary between insurers. I’ll try to generalize this as most companies have similar policies.
Car insurance, also known as auto insurance, is compulsory in most countries. You must be covered if you own a vehicle or if you park your car on a public road. Private land that you own or a third party is exempted from this requirement. Private land is often misunderstood. To be clear about how it affects you, check your insurance details and if you require a policy.
Private areas such as parks, waste land and pavements and country lanes are not considered private. If caught, prosecution is likely. Private land is considered to be private land, which is land that isn’t being used by the public. If a public footpath runs through a private estate, it is considered private land. You would need insurance and be subject to prosecution. You would need permission from the landowner even if it was not accessible to the public. Again, prosecution is possible. Let’s suppose that you own private land and you are riding your quad down the driveway. This is a good idea. The only people who are permitted to enter the property are the milkman and the postman. Are you a person who requires insurance? No, you don’t need insurance even though you technically have made it available to the public.
The UK is currently pushing to amend this. This would mean that any vehicle, even if it’s parked on private property, should have insurance. The police would be able to take your vehicle from you and have it crushed if they have the same powers they have now. This is absurd to me and would cost the insurance company more money. The risk of injury or property damage from vehicles left parked up is very low, even for cars driven on private land. It would be a win-win situation for car insurance companies. It would be great to have lots of cash coming in, and only a small amount going out for claims. If the vehicle has been driven on the moon, I don’t see a problem with car insurance on private property. The classic car enthusiast who has been working on his beloved vehicle for 6 months. He has the motor in his garage, and it will probably take another 12 months for him to let it go out for all of us. The car is functional and drives, but it will not be on the roads until it has been restored to its original condition 50 years ago. Can someone please explain in plain English why this classic car needs insurance? It makes you feel like screaming!
Many people have borrowed a car from a friend or relative to use for a day, or even a few hours, while their own vehicle is being serviced or the MOT is due. We all borrow cars from our friends and family for similar reasons. This right is granted as long as both the drivers have insurance. However, this is not always true as many car insurance companies do not allow it unless you are named in the policy. People are being prosecuted more often for operating a vehicle they aren’t insured to drive. They were not intent to do this. Both had full insurance and they believed they were covered. In most cases, though the courts tend to be morelenient in these situations, a fine is often issued. This is because it is your responsibility to understand and comply with your car insurance policy. Police officers must also be present to ensure that, unless there is a serious mistake, they are not able to stop you from driving.
This is in addition to making mistakes. You’re enjoying a steady drive but accidentally bump into your best friend’s car, or worse, total it. You are not covered for third-party insurance if you drive someone else’s vehicle. If your friend asks you to take a look at your Porsche next time you see him, it’s best to politely decline and explain that you don’t have any insurance. This is a terrible mistake and a very distressing situation. As with all insurance, extra coverage means an increase in your premium.
