Uninsured Drivers Costing Honest Motorists more than £500 million
Around Half a Million Have Driven Without Insurance in the Last Year
Motor insurance continues to be something that is appearing in the news for negative reasons as motorists continue to break the law across the UK by driving without cover.
However, Sainsbury’s Finance reveals the results of a study carried out by GfK NOP in July 2009, which highlights the true extent of the problem on British roads.
The study shows that over the last 12 months, more than half a million people might have driven on the UK’s highways without motor insurance, with the true figure estimated to be around 516,000 people. It is a shocking statistic made all the more severe when looked at alongside figures showing over 20,000 people are injured by uninsured drivers every year, with an additional 160 people dying.
In another twist, Sainsbury’s finds the current results disturbing as they imply people are purposely avoiding car insurance rather than simply forgetting it.
Whilst the most critical victims of uninsured drivers are other road users caught up in accidents, there are also plenty of people who are being treated unfairly without ever coming into contact with them, with the Motor Insurers Bureau revealing the cost to honest motorists. According to them, insured drivers are paying £500 million each year towards car insurance premiums that are so priced because of the accidents of uninsured motorists.
To make matters worse, an additional 409,000 people are thought to have driven on foreign roads without adequate insurance in recent times.
Many people are citing financial difficulty for cutting back on car insurance, with a recent press release revealing many motorists cutting back in light of the recession, with others cutting back on other forms of insurance such as home insurance to save money.
However, it is not a practice that is recommended, with Ben Tyte of Sainsbury’s Car Insurance commenting, “With household budgets restricted as a result of the recession it’s inevitable, as our research found earlier this year, that some people will look for cheaper insurance policies or even reduce the cover they have. However, it is simply not an option to drive with no cover altogether.”
He continues: “Those that do so are breaking the law and are a real menace on our roads”, adding that they contribute to an extra £30 a year on car insurance premiums according to the Motor Insurers Bureau.
“Having an accident with an uninsured driver can leave you with a financial headache, because although you should be covered for the cost of any repairs through a comprehensive policy you may lose your no claim discount.”
Source: Sainsbury’s Finance Press Release Dec 2009
