Brokers want tougher penalties for uninsured drivers

The majority of British insurance brokers want to see tougher penalties, including prison sentences for repeat offenders who drive without insurance, according to a new survey published today by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.

A staggering 96% of brokers surveyed thought that tougher penalties are needed for motorists who drive without insurance, including 51% who believe that offenders should have their cars seized and 28% who believe that uninsured drivers should be given prison sentences.

Graeme Trudgill, Technical Services Manager at BIBA, said: "Our members see the effects of uninsured driving on their clients everyday. Not only do uninsured drivers add an estimated £30 to every motor policy premium of honest motorists, but they pose a threat to our road safety that is not acceptable. BIBA feels that the only way to deter offenders is to ensure that the punishment fits the crime and our industry believes that car seizures and prison sentences for repeat offenders are appropriate penalties which the government should introduce forthwith."

74% of brokers are aware of the Greenaway report and the recent work undertaken in relation to uninsured drivers. The survey highlights the industry’s frustration with the continuing problem of uninsured drivers who flout the law and endanger honest motorists on the roads. BIBA participated in the Greenaway Report into uninsured driving last year, proposing 15 points to tackle the issue, many of which have been adopted.

The survey also revealed that the broking community believes that awareness of the new Motor Insurance Database (MID) needs to be increased and that both brokers and insurers need to take responsibility for keeping the database up to date.

In response to the proposed change to a 7 day timescale to update the MID:

64% of brokers said they believe that a seven day limit to update the Motor Insurance Database (MID) is reasonable. When asked whose responsibility it was to update the MID, 70% of brokers said they believe that it is the insurer’s responsibility to update the MID within the seven day limit.

The survey found that almost half of those Brokers interviewed feel a lack of awareness is to blame for the MID not being up to date.

Trudgill added: "The survey reveals some very interesting opinions and there is no doubt in the mind of the UK’s Brokers that driving without insurance is a serious offence and also a dangerous problem that needs to be stopped. The MID needs to be kept up to date to assist the police and our industry will continue to work together with the Government to tackle this problem and to call for more severe penalties for offenders."

Neil Drane, Head of MIIC, comments: "The MID is an extremely useful tool in combating uninsured driving. The timely updating of information to the database is crucial and co-operation between brokers and insurers is vital. The MIIC feels that it is paramount that all parties work together to bring about both improvements in the time it takes to supply information to the database and to raise awareness."