Fully comp car cover is dubious; Cash point.

Byline: TRICIA PHILLIPS

DRIVERS need to check the small print on their car insurance or they could end up out of pocket.

To keep prices competitive, policies may not be as comprehensive as people believe.

One great motoring myth is that those with fully comp cover are insured to drive any car.

The reality is increasing numbers of insurers no longer offer the "driving other cars" extension and those that do place restrictions.

Even when it's available, motorists could lose out as it is for third party only, meaning you will have to pay your own repair costs. It doesn't cover under 25s or named drivers, only those with their own policies, and it's for use only in an emergency.

Graeme Trudgill, of the British Insurance Brokers' Association, said: "Insurers are wary as this cover has been misused in the past . Drivers should check the small print."

To insure yourself for driving someone else's car, either get yourself added as a named driver to their policy or get them to take out cover for any driver over 25. Or take out short-term cover with tempcover.com.

Don't risk having the wrong policy or, even worse, driving illegally.

You could end up with a conviction - six points on your licence and a fine of as much as pounds 5,000.