Can my spouse drive my car in an emergency if they are not named on my policy?
What should you do?
- Check cover before an emergency arises if possible.
- Do not assume marriage or living at the same address creates cover.
- Driving-other-cars extensions are not universal and may have restrictions.
- If there is genuine immediate danger, safety comes first, but insurance law does not generally disappear because a journey feels urgent.
What can make a difference?
The result can depend on your level of cover, exclusions, excess, information given when the policy was arranged or renewed, who was driving, and the precise circumstances. Two policies both described as “comprehensive” can still contain different terms.
If you want your spouse to be able to drive regularly, discuss named-driver cover with the insurer.
Do not assume your spouse can drive simply because the situation is urgent. They need valid cover to drive the car, whether under your policy, their own policy or another arrangement, before they take the wheel.
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