Motorists admit driving without insurance

One in eight (13 per cent) British motorists admit they have driven a car they were not insured to drive, according to new research.

The survey, by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com, found two thirds (69 per cent) of these drivers who flouted the law did so while driving someone else’s car. The rest say they drove their own car without cover.

Men are twice as likely as women to drive while uninsured with 17 per cent of male motorists admitting the offence compared with nine per cent of women. The survey also reveals younger drivers own up to being the worst offenders, with 29 per cent of motorists under 30 saying they have driven without cover compared to 12 per cent of drivers in their thirties and forties.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said:“While most of these motorists may not consider themselves part of the uninsured driving problem, widely blamed by some major insurers as the cause behind their premium rises over recent years, it’s important to realise anyone who drives without cover is breaking the law and poses a financial risk to themselves and other road users. It is simply wrong to believe you are safe driving your own or a friend’s car just a short distance uninsured, since most accidents happen in residential and often familiar streets.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is those in their teens and twenties who emerge as the worst culprits. While the cost of insuring their vehicle can be as high as £1,123 for a male motorist in his twenties and £736 for a twenty-something woman, they should not be attracted by the false economy of skimping on insurance. If caught without cover, uninsured drivers can get a £200 on-the-spot fine, six points on their licence and their car impounded. The consequences of causing damage to other road users while driving uninsured are clearer still.”

The Government is also cracking down on drivers who fail to renew their insurance, even if they are not driving their car and it is parked in the driveway. moneysupermarket.com’s research also reveals two per cent of Britain’s motorists have driven their car while in between renewing their insurance. If caught, owners will receive an automatic £100 fine or have their car clamped or towed.

Londoners are the most likely to drive without insurance with 21 per cent saying they have driven their own vehicle or another car without cover. Those in the North-East are most conscientious and least likely to drive without insurance (eight per cent).

Despite the number of uninsured drivers on the road, an analysis of almost seven million motor insurance quotes by moneysupermarket.com for the last year reveals premiums fell five per cent in 2006 compared with the previous year.

Richard Mason said: “Year-on-year figures show insurance premiums have dropped by five per cent, due to fierce competition in the marketplace. Motorists have also become more active in seeking out the best deals for them, adding higher excesses and being more accurate with their mileage details.

“A word of caution however: with inflation rising, motorists should keep a keen eye on their premiums when it comes to policy renewal as it will be interesting to see whether insurers can continue to keep their pricing this low, especially when you consider some providers give what practically amounts to a loss-leading discount to entice motorists in the first place. Motorists should mitigate this by preparing to shop around for the best deal each year.”