What is the definition of basic legal cover for car insurance?

Question

Like if my car insurance company tells me that when driving other peoples cars, I have basic legal cover

Is this any different than third party cover? Like say I'm driving someone elses car how much am I covered

With my insurance it doesnt need to be an emergency for me to be covered driving someone elses car, just wondering how much I'm covered

Because I was told that that level of cover is less than third party cover

Thanks

Answer 1

You used to be able to get what was known as "Act-only" cover, which did the bare minimum to satisfy the requirements of the law.  There was no help, no advice, no claims handling etc.  

As far as I'm aware no insurer offers this cover nowadays.  The minimum available is third-party cover, which does the necessary with regard to your liabilities in respect of third parties, plus the ability to pass any claim straight off to them to be sorted.

You need to check with your insurers for clarity, plus be very careful to read all the fine print closely.  Not unnaturally, insurers will avoid any liability if they possibly can.

Answer 2

Basic legal cover is third party only and possibly with any excess you may have on your insurance.

Answer 3

I'm slightly confused.  When I drive your car, I'm covered by your insurance right?  Basic legal coverage is the minimum in that state, Right?