MSE News: Compulsory car insurance rules come into force today

Former_MSE_Guy

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Virtually everyone with an uninsured vehicle is breaking the law whether they drive it or not, under rules that will be enforced from today ..."

Read the full story:
Compulsory car insurance rules come into force today

highhorse_2

This is good news for the insurance industry - but perhaps just another headache for the motorist. Either way we (I work at an insurance aggregator) are seeing a real surge in insurance queries today already.

For people out there - be sure and buy the best policy if you need insurance, otherwise get a SORN. Look out for specialist "off the road" insurances coming your way soon

mikey72

£40 for a laid up policy on one of ours.
I'm assured it will be on askmid, so we can keep the tax on, and as I don't own it, I can drive it on the doc extension on my insurance. (which doesn't require the car to be otherwise insured).
So basically nothing changes, and it's an easy £40 for the insurance industry.

For uninsured drivers it's a dream, they can can carry on as before, so long as someone has paid the extra £40 for the right piece of paper. They'll stand much less chance of being pulled as the ANPR won't flag it anymore as uninsured.
And we'll be watching the insurance companies offering "laid up" policies like sharks in a feeding frenzy.

no_choice_now

I now have no choice but to drive illegally!

I don't want to but I can't afford continuous insurance, I live miles away from a supermarket cheap enough for me to shop at. I have to drive, it's not feasible to walk. Before I used to buy day insurance twice a month as I could afford and do all my errands and shopping in one day. Now I simply have to SORN my car, but I can't stop using it.

Now if I get caught I will get my car confiscated. I won't be able to pay to get it back from the pound. I used to be entirely legal but now in the interests of the insurance companies making a few more bob I'm not going to be in that position.

Thanks government for shafting me that little bit more. I really needed that at the moment :(:(:(:(:(

lisyloo

How far away from the nearest supermarket are you?
Could you ride a bicycle?

Could you go twice a month in a taxi?
Perhaps share with another local?

I cannot see how it is economical to buy, maintain, tax & insure a car for two trips a months.

Any other local who would give you a lift (for a contribution perhaps?).

Have you considered living somewhere less isolated?

no_choice_now

I'm several miles away from Tesco, all the village shops are extortionately priced. I'm not healthy enough to cycle. Twice a month I do all my chores, going to town, shopping, and the rare chances I have to see friends outside the village. I can't afford a taxi to take me all over the shire, it works out cheaper to own and use a car insuring only when I need to use it. I don't know many people in the village, I'm very isolated but it's my home and I don't want to move to the town. I feel like if I don't break the law by driving when SORN then it's effectively destroyed my life. Today is also the first I've heard about all these changes, I'm so upset. I have enough problems as it is. Sometimes I just don't see the point of carrying on, it's just one thing after another.

Invalidation

no_choice_now wrote: »

I'm several miles away from Tesco, all the village shops are extortionately priced. I'm not healthy enough to cycle. Twice a month I do all my chores, going to town, shopping, and the rare chances I have to see friends outside the village. I can't afford a taxi to take me all over the shire, it works out cheaper to own and use a car insuring only when I need to use it. I don't know many people in the village, I'm very isolated but it's my home and I don't want to move to the town. I feel like if I don't break the law by driving when SORN then it's effectively destroyed my life. Today is also the first I've heard about all these changes, I'm so upset. I have enough problems as it is. Sometimes I just don't see the point of carrying on, it's just one thing after another.

Have you called your local council to see if there is a community bus service as many rural areas do have one several times a week.

huckster

I don't think the government are going about this in the right way. All that will happen is that people will register as SORN or arrange a laid up policy. They will of course continue to use their cars, hoping they don't get caught.

I have alway been of the opinion that the government and Insurance industry should get together to come up with a better solution to the uninsured driver problem. At the same time that can look at the spiraling cost of Insurance, caused partly by the compensation culture.

For those people living in rural areas that cannot afford to keep a car on the road, they should contact their local council authority. Many operate a dial a ride service for a set price, some provide tokens for subsidised taxis. There are also local volunteer groups who offer to ferry locals living in their area, so they can access shops, hospitals etc. Your local council may have details of these voluntary transport providers.

mikey72

Until the insurers realise they're missing a trick, and lobby for compulsory cart insurance.

DazedByTheLight

Although I sympathise with the village dweller, I am actually delighted by this change as we are plagued by un-insured cars being left in our residents car park. Is anybody aware of how I can report this to the authorities?

mikey72

If it's a private residents car park, probably not, if it's not a public place they'll probably sorn them, and leave them there for longer now.]
I would check with the dvla if they need tax there first.