1. ARC Driver Training Centre homepage
2. Testimonials
3. Lesson  Prices
4. UniqueVid
5. Contact us

   
October 2009 - Car Insurance

---

 

'Parts of England with the largest number of uninsured drivers
have been revealed in new research.
 

The worst offenders were in Greater London, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, with 13%, 12% and 10% of vehicles uninsured, the research found.

The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which compensates people in accidents with uninsured drivers, estimates over 1.7m people drove without cover in 2008.'

BBC News 24th September 2009

---

The Motor Insurers Bureau has launched its 'Stay Insured' campaign, designed to target drivers who may be wavering when it comes to renewing their insurance policies due to increased financial pressures.  The campaign is being fronted by Natalie Pinkham, host of You're Nicked and Police Interceptors.  A new research report shows:

• 1in 10 18-34 year old drivers are unaware that car insurance is a legal requirement
• 3 in 4 drivers are currently looking for ways to reduce motor insurance costs
• About 900,000 drivers under the age of 30 are currently driving without insurance
• 60% of drivers think they are likely to be caught and only 7% are aware of all the possible consequences when they are caught.

Know the Law

 

It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle without insurance. It is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy, taxed and that you are able to meet your responsibilities if you cause someone an injury or damage to property,

 

The police now use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with information from the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to identify and catch people driving uninsured vehicles. More than 500 are seized every day and one person every three minutes is convicted for uninsured driving.

 

All uninsured drivers face these consequences when they are caught:

• Vehicle seized by police
• £150 plus car pound fees to recover the car
• £200 fixed penalty (a maximum of £5000 imposed by the Court)
• A minimum of six penalty points and /or disqualification

PLUS proof of valid insurance to have the vehicle returned

 

If you injure or kill someone while driving uninsured, the Motor Insurers' Bureau is entitled to recover the payments it makes to the injured parties as well as any costs incurred from the uninsured driver. The level of damages paid depends on the nature of the injuries but can run into many millions of pounds for the most seriously injured.

 

Insurance Savings

There are lots of ways for you to save on your motor insurance and still be legally covered to drive.

It is important that your policy matches your lifestyle so that you and other road users are protected. The cheapest premium may not always be the best insurance policy for you.

Undertake extra driver training - When you successfully complete a PASS PLUS course you will usually qualify for a substantial discount on your motor insurance policy. Motor insurers who support the scheme offer discounts on comprehensive, third party fire and theft and third party insurance policies

Choose a payment option that suits your budget  - Paying the premium in one lump sum can avoid interest or paying monthly can help you manage your money more easily

Paying a higher voluntary excess - This can help reduce the premium, though you should only go for this option if you are clear that it will not leave you out of pocket if you do need to make a claim

Looking carefully at the cover you need - If your car is worth very little it may be best to take out a premium which only covers you for third party fire and theft, or select comprehensive cover with a large excess

Build up a no claims bonus history - This can reduce your premium by up to 65%

Pay-as-you-drive - This can be a more flexible and affordable way to buy insurance, so you only pay when you are using your vehicle

For more information on car insurance visit the Motor Insurance Bureau website here>>>.

Safe motoring,

 

Mark Born