The immediate impact this is having is cost, each year uninsured drivers are costing £500m, it is the insured motorists who are shelling out to cover this cost, and are paying £350m extra for insurance premiums.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has highlighted the risks of uninsured drivers who are less likely to stop after an accident, 10 times more likely to have convictions for drink driving and 6 times more likely to be driving an un-roadworthy vehicle.
As well as increasing the prices for car and van insurance for law abiding motorists, uninsured drivers also cause problems for insured drivers they are in accidents or collisions with. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver there could be a drawn out battle to reclaim what you are owed.
Fully comprehensive insurance will cover you for any repairs needed for your car, however, unless you have insured your no claims discount you could lose this and any medical or legal costs will not necessarily be covered by your insurer.
The government is trying to tackle the problem of uninsured drivers on the road through technology such as automatic number plate recognition and heightened police powers, enabling them to seize vehicles from the uninsured.
The Motor Insurer's Bureau (MIB) claims that the group most likely to flout insurance laws are young males. Despite the government's efforts to raise awareness of the importance of up to date insurance many people are oblivious to the risks, and more importantly, the consequences of driving illegally without insurance.
Anyone who is caught driving a vehicle without the correct insurance is not only breaking the law, but it likely to receive penalty points on their license and a hefty fine. Penalty points can affect both your eligibility to drive for your employer and increase your insurance premium significantly.
Drivers who are left with unpaid costs after a collision with an uninsured driver can claim compensation from the MIB. This is a fund which is paid for by the insurance companies who are charged a levy each year, indirectly the money comes out of the pockets of the general public who are charged more in premiums to cover this. The driver is expected to have contacted the other driver to check if they are insured, and to have reported the incident to the police.
The MIB handles 36,000 cases every year and has issued guidelines which drivers should follow if an accident should occur. Briefly summarised the plan of action should be; to contact the police, take the name and details of the other driver, especially the car's registration number, never to admit fault for the accident and try to remain calm, try to photograph the driver and/or vehicle and get details of any witnesses to the incident.
It is common for people to panic or be shaken after an accident, but this is a time when a level head is required. If you suspect that any of the details the other driver has given you are incorrect, contact the DVLA or MIB for verification.
MIB's figures show that 15% of drivers admitted to driving without insurance between 17 and 21, and a staggering 48% were under 30. These people have resulted in motorists having to pay, on average, an extra £30 for insurance premiums. The fact is, the likelihood of an uninsured driver causing or being involved in a collision are eight times greater than an insured driver. Just make sure they don't cost you any more than they already do.
