Knowing what level of car insurance you have can be crucial knowledge to be aware of before you head out on the road.

It may be easy to assume that fully comprehensive insurance covers driving any car and protects against any mishap that could occur on these journeys.

However, it's important to be aware that this might not be the case.

As drivers try to balance the need for the right car insurance with managing costs, understanding what a fully comprehensive policy does and doesn't cover is more crucial than ever.

Common misconceptions can leave people underinsured or paying for coverage they don’t actually need.

To help motorists out, Jake Lambert, a temporary car insurance expert for Tempcover, has revealed whether comprehensive insurance means you can drive any car.

Can you drive any car on comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to yourself, your car, as well as compensating a third party if you are involved in an accident, according to the RAC.

While it provides the highest amount of protection, it doesn't mean you're covered to drive any car.

Lambert explains: "Many drivers wrongly assume their fully comprehensive policy automatically allows them to borrow and drive other cars, but this hasn’t been the case for some time. 

"Many insurers started removing this cover in the early 2000s - and today, many policies no longer include it by default. This can cause confusion, particularly among older drivers who remember it being standard.

"It’s worth remembering that if you’re found to be driving a vehicle that you are not insured to drive, you could receive a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on your licence.

"If the case goes to court, you could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving."

Lambert adds that if you want to check this, you'll need to go through your policy documents and find the ‘Driving Other Cars’ (DOC) cover, which allows you to drive other vehicles.

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You can also contact your insurer to confirm if DOC cover is included in your policy. 

He continues: "Even if your fully comprehensive policy does include DOC cover, it typically only provides third-party protection when driving other vehicles.

"This is the legal minimum and won’t cover any damage to the car you’re driving. For those who do need the highest level of comprehensive cover, temporary car insurance is worth considering as it protects both you and the car you’re driving."