DOC (Driving Other Cars) Cover: A False Sense of Security
DOC (Driving Other Cars) cover exists to keep you barely legal—not actually safe. Here's what you're really getting.
What DOC (Driving Other Cars) Cover Actually Provides
✅ You DO Get:
- • Third-party liability cover (legal minimum)
- • Valid only in the UK
- • Only for the policyholder (not named drivers)
- • Only if you're over 25 (typically)
- • Only for emergency use
❌ You DON'T Get:
- • Cover for damage to the borrowed car
- • Protection for you or passengers
- • Fire, theft, or vandalism cover
- • Windscreen cover
- • European travel cover
- • No-claims bonus protection
Reality Check: If you crash your friend's £20,000 car, you're paying for it out of your own pocket. DOC (Driving Other Cars) cover won't cover a penny of that damage.
Temporary Insurance: The Full Package
Apps like Cuvva, Tempcover, and Zego offer short-term insurance that gives you true comprehensive protection.
Cuvva
- • 1 hour to 30 days
- • Comprehensive cover
- • From £9.90/day
- • Instant activation
- • Age 19+
Tempcover
- • 1 hour to 30 days
- • EU cover available
- • From £11.90/day
- • NCB protection option
- • Age 18+
Zego
- • 1 hour to 30 days
- • Flexible pricing
- • From £8.50/day
- • Business use options
- • Age 19+
🛡️ What Temporary Insurance Covers
- ✅ Damage to the borrowed car
- ✅ Fire, theft, vandalism
- ✅ Third-party liability
- ✅ Windscreen cover
- ✅ Personal injury protection
- ✅ EU cover (some providers)
- ✅ No-claims bonus protection (optional)
- ✅ Works on uninsured vehicles
Head-to-Head Comparison
The honest breakdown of what you get with each option.
| Feature | DOC (Driving Other Cars) Cover | Temporary Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Coverage | Policyholder only | Named individual via app |
| Third-Party Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Damage to Borrowed Car | No | Yes |
| Fire/Theft/Own Damage | No | Yes |
| Age Limit | Usually 25+ | Often 19+ |
| Use Abroad | No | Some providers allow EU |
| Valid on Uninsured Vehicle | No | Yes (covers car itself) |
| Cost | Free (if you have it) | £9-30 per day |
When to Use What: Decision Guide
Choose the right option based on your specific situation and risk tolerance.
🟡 DOC (Driving Other Cars) Cover "Good Enough" When:
- You're over 25, insured fully comp
- The other car is insured and owned by a friend
- It's a genuine emergency (not convenience)
- You've verified DOC (Driving Other Cars) is on your certificate
- The car is low-value and you can afford to replace it
🟢 Temporary Cover Smarter When:
- The car is valuable, new, or leased
- You're under 25 or have any doubts about your policy
- You're driving abroad or need EU cover
- You want protection for the car itself
- Peace of mind is worth £15/day to you
💡 The Bottom Line: Don't Gamble With Assumptions
What DOC (Driving Other Cars) pays if you crash someone's car
Average daily cost of real comprehensive cover
What you could owe if things go wrong
If the car or situation matters, spend the £15. Get real cover. It's not worth the risk.