Open Drive Insurance

When you’re sorting out car insurance, there’s one type of cover that often gets mentioned but might leave you scratching your head—Open Drive Insurance. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly it means and how it could benefit you, you’re not alone! Let’s dive into the details, so you can make a more informed decision about your car insurance options.

What is Open Drive Insurance?

At its core, Open Drive Insurance allows any driver holding a full EU or UK licence, typically over the age of 25, to drive your car with the same level of cover you have. It’s a flexible option that offers peace of mind, whether it's for the occasional road trip or a quick run to the shops, this type of cover can be a handy addition to your policy.

Most insurance policies will cover only named drivers, meaning only those specified in the policy are insured to drive your car. With Open Drive Insurance, you extend that coverage to a wider pool of drivers, without needing to name them individually.

Benefits of Open Drive Insurance

1. Convenience: Have you ever been in a situation where you needed someone else to drive your car? Maybe you’ve had a long day, or you’re just not up to the drive home. With Open Drive Insurance, you won’t have to worry as someone else can drive your car once they meet the age and licence requirements.
2. Flexibility: Whether it's a family member borrowing your car or a friend helping with a big move, Open Drive Insurance allows them to hop behind the wheel without the hassle of making changes to your policy, so long as they meet the age and licence requirements.
3. Peace of mind: You can relax knowing that your car is covered in the event of an accident, once you have Open Drive cover and the driver  meets the insurer's age and licence conditions).

Things to Keep in Mind

While Open Drive Insurance certainly has its perks, there are a few things to be aware of before adding it to your policy.

1. Age restrictions: Many policies only offer Open Drive Insurance to drivers over a certain age, typically 25 or 30. Be sure to check the specific terms with your insurer. If you have younger drivers in your family, you might need to name them individually on your policy instead.
2. Licence requirements: Open Drive Insurance usually only covers drivers holding full EU and UK licences. So, if you’re thinking about lending your car to someone with a learner permit, you’ll need to look at other insurance options.
3. Potential higher premiums: Since Open Drive Insurance is more flexible, it can be more expensive. You’ll need to weigh up the convenience against the potential extra cost.
4. Coverage limits: Always check what’s included under Open Drive Insurance. For instance, some policies might only cover third-party damage for other drivers, meaning that damage to your car won’t be covered. You might want to explore this before deciding if Open Drive Insurance is the right fit for you.

Is Open Drive Insurance Right for You?

If you sometimes lend your car to others or have multiple drivers in your household, Open Drive Insurance could be a great option. It’s also worth considering if you run a small business where employees sometimes need to use your car.

However, if you’re the only one who drives your car or rarely lend it out, you might not need the added flexibility. A standard car insurance policy with named drivers could work just fine for you.

How do I get Open Drive Insurance?

At Aviva, we aim to make your insurance decisions as straightforward as possible. If Open Drive Insurance sounds like the cover you need, the best thing you can do is get in touch with us. We’ll help you figure out whether it fits your circumstances and talk you through any specific requirements and cover provided. 

You can also explore our car insurance quotes online to see how adding Open Drive Insurance might affect your premium.

Need more advice? Our team at Aviva is always here to help you find the right insurance policy to suit your needs.