Thank you all. I personally, have never heard of this until this weekend....I'd have happily driven any car, thinking I was insured. It's very disappointing that financial institutions can withdraw clauses, and get away with it by including it in the "small print". Thanks again for all your comments.

Thank you. Yes, it was my understanding that this used to be automatic on all policies, but when this became not the case, how far did insurance companies go in being open and transparent with their customers in advising them so? Given, if something is automatic for years, we shouldn't necessarily assume it will continue to be the case, however don't the insurance companies have a duty of care to their policy holders to make them fully aware of the change?? How many people actually check the small print of the policies?? We just assume we are being sold a product that fully meets our needs, and fully comprehensive insurance gave you the right to drive third party. I am hopeful that someone may have challenged their conviction, and won? Perhaps this has never happened, but it seems very unfair that the government is raking in cash from unsuspecting people who in their eyes, are doing nothing wrong.

Hi, I was wondering if anybody can help. My friend was stopped by the police yesterday and has been fined £300 and received 6 points in his licence for driving a friends car. He was under the belief he was covered third party through his own insurance policy with Enterprise Insurance. This was a genuine, honest mistake and I too, until now, have never heard of the DOC clause in insurance policies. I've done some research and it appears this clause has been brought in quietly over the years by insurance companies? My questions is, has anybody ever successfully challenged this clause, and successfully won, thus setting a precedent? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated as it appears many thousands of people have been caught out by this relatively unknown clause. Thank you.