Car Insurance

Having lived in America and South Africa I have found it difficult moving back to a country where the individual is insured as opposed to the vehicle. It used to be the case that if I wanted to borrow someone's car that they'd sling me their keys and off I'd go safe in the knowledge that if the worst were to happen I'd be covered.
Forgetting the laws in England I recently suggested to a friend that I drove their car home for them from the pub. The idea was laughed at and not because of my questionable driving. The reason is the penalties for being caught are so severe. The same applies for lending a vehicle over a couple of days. It is often difficult to find insurers that are willing to cover you for a short amount of time. So borrowing a car for a single journey can end up being extremely expensive.