15 July 2008 / by Daniela Gieseler
With escalating fuel prices and the new Vehicle Excise Duty looming next year thousands of British drivers are trying to dodge car insurance, insurance provider RIAS says.
However, their attempts at cost-cutting might prove to be false economy, RIAS warned. Apart from the fact that that driving without insurance is illegal and could get motorists a criminal record, it adds millions of pounds to car insurance premiums.
According to the Motor Insurers Bureau, the cost of uninsured driving amounts to more than £500million annually. Ultimately, this bill is paid by law-abiding policyholders as it adds around £30 a year to their premium.
Figures suggest that in a time when everybody tightens their purse strings the number of people trying to evade car insurance is on the rise. Last year, more than 150,000 cars and bikes were seized by the police for having no insurance – one vehicle every three minutes.
In 2007, accidents caused by uninsured drivers resulted in 160 deaths and 23,000 injuries. However, claims against motorists driving without insurance can be extremely difficult for victims to process.
“There is no question that driving without insurance is both unlawful and ill-advised,” commented RIAS managing director Janet Connor. “If you are worried about the cost of insurance, it is worth talking to your insurance provider to check whether they are any savings to be made.”
She continued: “At RIAS, for example, we specialise in finding tailored insurance solutions for the over 50s, who can often benefit from cheaper premiums because of low mileage, or because their cars are parked off-road or kept in a garage. We advise customers to ensure they ask about discounts and flexible payment.”
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