Uninsured drivers feel the consequences

Is your car insurance valid? Is the question our officers will be asking drivers as they conduct additional checks on motorists 10-16 November. 

Last year our officers seized over 1,200 uninsured cars, vans and lorries.  Once seized, to get your vehicle back, drivers need to provide proof of insurance and pay recovery and storage fees within 14 days. Those not claimed are scrapped or auctioned.

Don’t let this be you is the message from our officers who will be educating drivers on some of the common mistakes people make around car insurance.  

Common mistakes include

• Forgetting when your insurance expires? Check your renewal date today.
• Assuming your policy auto-renews? Not all do, and expired payment cards can cause lapses.
• Keeping a vehicle off the road without declaring it SORN with the DVLA? Make sure it’s officially off-road.
• Thinking fully comprehensive cover lets you drive someone else’s car? It often doesn’t - check your policy first for coverage and any restrictions.
• Using your car for work or deliveries on a social-only policy? You’ll likely need commuting, business or hire-and-reward cover.

Uninsured drivers may receive a £300 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

If your case goes to court, you may also receive an unlimited fine and even a driving ban.

The consequences are the same whether you’ve made a genuine mistake or not.

A quick check of your policy could save a lot of stress and expense in the long run.

Being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of your life – a loss of your independence, an inability to care for dependents such as taking your children to school, and even affect job prospects as a driving conviction can show up on background searches. 

If you’re not sure about your insurance status, check today for free: mib.org.uk/DriveInsured