What's the penalty for driving with no insurance please?

philhuff

Just to make it clear, I was in no way suggesting that driving without insurance is a good thing to do! I was just stating that, given the average penalties handed down that I listed above (and they're government provided figures), it's understandable why so many people do take the risk.

All the possibilities of being responsible for huge costs should something go wrong is unlikely to worry a 19 year old driving a car that's uninsured, untaxed, probably unroadworthy and with false plates.

Personally, I'd like to see the penalty for driving without insurance include a short spell behind bars and a much more significant fine.

sad_gills_fan

My nephew is waiting for a summons to court as he had a small prang with another car and while getting all his paperwork together, he realised that the DD payment had not gone from his mums account (she paid as he student). (He moved house that week too so had not rcvd forwarded letters). Long row with insurance company ensued, they said not their fault although clearly it was partly theirs as we hadn't cancelled the DD or policy.

Anyway, he paid for the repair of the other car, sorted out insurance on new car (his was write off) and went to police station to 'fess all'. Very understanding police lady who said he may or may not get banned, may or may not get fined and may or may not gat a slap on the wrist.

He's just waiting for the letter now if it appears. I understand peoples frustrations with those who do not bother with insurance, bnut please don't tar everyone with the same brush. Misunderstandings do happen .. we are a very law abiding family and were shocked to hell that this happened. He will accept what the judge has to say but he just hopes the whole situaiton is looked at, and not just 'you had no insurance'.

It will NOT happen again for sure!!!

zebidee1

Thank you to those who took the time to offer something constructive and useful.

I've very pleased to report that my suspicions were unfounded and the person I thought might be driving uninsured had actually got their insurance sorted out but a mix up in policy details had led to some confusion.

Anyway all's well .....etc, etc.


On a different note (but sticking with car insurance), if someone has got penalty points but hasn't told their insurance company at the time of getting them, (because they didn't know they had to - they thought it was just when they renewed they had to tell of changes) when renewal comes around, would they be charged extra for the previous year (that's already been insured for and has passed)?

Sounds confusing, I hope you know what I mean.

I seem to remember seeing a post along these lines but I can't find it now.

Is it better just to go with a new company now if this is the case?

(And again, it's not me!)

movilogo

Personally, I'd like to see the penalty for driving without insurance include a short spell behind bars and a much more significant fine.

I personally like to see insurance cost becoming affordable to people so that no one will think of driving without insurance!
The insurance companies make huge amount of profit. Why doesn't the govt. regulate the market? There are only a handful of insurance underwriters. Then they trade under different names (like Bell, Diamond, Elephant all belongs to Admiral). Like houseprice, insurance premia are also over inflated.

Conor_3

zebidee1 wrote: »

On a different note (but sticking with car insurance), if someone has got penalty points but hasn't told their insurance company at the time of getting them, (because they didn't know they had to - they thought it was just when they renewed they had to tell of changes) when renewal comes around, would they be charged extra for the previous year (that's already been insured for and has passed)?

No. The quote is based on the risk at the time of taking out the policy.

raskazz

movilogo wrote: »

I personally like to see insurance cost becoming affordable to people so that no one will think of driving without insurance!
The insurance companies make huge amount of profit. Why doesn't the govt. regulate the market? There are only a handful of insurance underwriters. Then they trade under different names (like Bell, Diamond, Elephant all belongs to Admiral). Like houseprice, insurance premia are also over inflated.

I'm afraid this is ill-informed dogma. Motor insurance is a highly competitive market. In real terms, car insurance is as cheap as it has ever been.

If any insurer can realistically offer cover for less than their competitors for a certain risk, they set a lower premium to undercut them. There are no cartels; there is no conspiracy.

Household premiums have also fallen in real terms for the last 10-15 years.

zebidee1

Conor wrote: »

No. The quote is based on the risk at the time of taking out the policy.

That's what I thought but I saw this.....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=413651&highlight=retrospective

custardy

remember as well if you get caught with no insurance.when(if?) you go legal and get insurance your quote will be higher again as insurance compainies see you as a higher risk again

iolanthe07

I personally like to see insurance cost becoming affordable to people so that no one will think of driving without insurance!

I don't agree with this at all. I'm amazed at how cheap car insurance is becoming. I have just paid under £200 for a fully comprehensive policy, including protected no claims and legal cover, for a brand new 1.6 Mitsubishi Lancer. I had four quotes, all around the same and all from reputable companies. I think this is a bargain (though undoubtedly a 44 year accident/claim free/clean licence record helps!)

greenstick

zebidee1 wrote: »

On a different note (but sticking with car insurance), if someone has got penalty points but hasn't told their insurance company at the time of getting them, (because they didn't know they had to - they thought it was just when they renewed they had to tell of changes) when renewal comes around, would they be charged extra for the previous year (that's already been insured for and has passed)?

Sounds confusing, I hope you know what I mean.

You are required to inform your insurers of all material changes (changes which may require them to reasses the risk)

When you take out a policy, you will be required (amongst many, many other questions) to declare any driving convictions, or any pending prosecutions. This allows them to decide if they want to insure you, and at what premium.

If you are prosecuted during the period of the policy, you need to inform your insurers ASAP, but they will not increase your premium until next renewal as the premium is calculated on the risk at inception of the policy. (Much the same as if you had an accident/claim on the policy)

If someone failed to disclose details of an offence which occurred BEFORE the inception of the policy, the insurer is (as I understand it) entitled to recover the difference between what was charged, and what should have been charged.

And quite rightly so, otherwise the honest people subsidise the law breakers. Again.