24 April 2008 / by Rebecca Sargent
Thousands of British motorists admit to driving without insurance at some point during their lives, putting themselves at risk of prosecution, according to research from MoneyExpert.com.
The research revealed that as many as 350,000 motorists have driven illegally in the past 12 months by failing to make sure they are adequately insured.
According to the study, young drivers are the worst offenders, 18–24 year olds were responsible for over a third of uninsured driving incidents in the past year.
Uninsured drivers can bump up the premium of sensible drivers by an extra £30 each year. Car insurance of at least third party cover is a legal requirement in the UK and going without could result in 3-6 points on their licence and a fine of up to £5,000.
The most common reason given for driving without car insurance was that the insurance policy had lapsed without the driver realising, accounting for 46 per cent of those questioned. Worryingly, more than ten per cent of offenders claimed they could not afford the necessary premiums; however, driving without insurance is a false economy and can result in even more costs.
MoneyExpert.com’s Sean Gardner said: “It’s a real worry that many people persist in driving without insurance. They are putting the personal and financial security of others at risk.
“Insurance premiums have not risen to such a degree that cost can be the only excuse. There are many ways to get a good value policy but regardless of the cost as a legal requirement uninsured drivers should never get behind the wheel.” Mr Gardner warned.
“It’s remarkable that such a high percentage of people are driving without insurance because of an oversight, with their policy having lapsed. The potential consequences are huge.
“We’d urge anyone who’s unsure about the state of their car insurance policy to check out the details as soon as possible, and ensure that they are sufficiently covered,” Mr Gardner concluded.
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