Can you believe that 15% of all motorists have driven without insurance and what is even more shocking is, 35% of young drivers admit to illegally driving a car without insurance too. The research by the comparison site Moneysupermarket found that one in 10 car owners have driven their own vehicle without insurance cover, which is a rise of 6% compared to last year. Furthermore, 3% of the motorists admit borrowing someone else’s car without the appropriate insurance.
What is even more worrying is the fact that 11% of the motorists driving without insurance did so because they didn’t know it was illegal. It’s been a legal requirement to hold at least third party insurance when driving a motor vehicle since 1930 and driving without it could land you with your car being seized and a fine of up to £1,000.
The ones who admitted driving with insurance, 7% said it was simply because they couldn’t be bothered, while 8% believe there is no point having insurance as they don’t think they will have a crash. More than 27% blame being between insurance policies for hitting the road uninsured.
Uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry a whopping £400 million each year. This is passed down to motorists so the next time you’re complaining about the cost of insurance, blame those who are driving without it. Moneysupermarket car insurance expert Kevin Pratt said: “It’s astonishing how many drivers are still prepared to hit the road without insurance. Not only is it illegal but you could face six points on your licence and a fixed penalty fine of at least £300, but this cost could escalate should it end up in a lost court case and a conviction.”
Some areas of the UK have more uninsured drivers on their roads than others with 29% of London drivers admitting to driving without insurance. The East Midlands is home to the smallest amount of scoundrel drivers, with just 7% admitting to driving without sufficient cover. The research also found that 18% of men admitted to driving without insurance, compared with 12% of females.
Pratt concluded: “Even though the typical cost of car cover has been coming down for all drivers over the last year, for many younger motorists it’s still at an unaffordable level. However, the penalties for being caught without insurance are severe, and could even result in your vehicle being seized.”
