1 November 2024

300,000 of Brits drive without insurance every day

A shocking proportion of British motorists, 300,000 daily, take to the roads with no car insurance in place. This represents a high risk for all car users.

Recent data from the MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) showed an average of 300,000 are on the road, but uninsured every day. Their research finds that the total number of uninsured across the year could be over 1 million.

They also report that according to a YouGov study they had commissioned, 10% of the British public did not know that motor insurance is compulsory for any vehicle used on public roads.

Uninsured driving creates a massive problem to society as a whole, with the devastation caused to innocent parties, and damage to properties having a lasting impact.

It also has strong links to other driving offences such as speeding, drink/drug driving, and unroadworthy vehicles Crimes such as money laundering or drug running also tend to involve uninsured drivers.

Nevertheless there is also the growing issue of those driving uninsured as, with motor insurance premiums steadily rising over the past three years, they cannot afford the premiums leading otherwise law-abiding drivers drive without insurance.

MIB are also telling motorists to look into legal ways in which they can minimise any premium increases during their policy renewal. This may include:

Renewing early – Check your renewal premium using a comparison site such as the MoneyMaxim car hire insurance comparison service. Their research shows premiums are likely to be at their lowest 20-26 days before an annual renewal is due. This alone could save you a considerable amount of money (up to 55% other research indicates).

Black Box – consider a policy which used thematics - or a black box - which records your driving style - this means insurers are willing to offer lower premiums to safer drivers.

Consider contacting your current insurer to see if they can reduce the cost.

Think about combining multiple insurance policies, such as multi-car or car and home insurance.

Consider downsizing your car as smaller vehicles may be cheaper to insure.

Make sure you are on the electoral roll – as insurers check that to reduce fraud.

Head of Enforcement for MIB, Martin Saunders, said: “It’s really important to us to reduce the level of uninsured driving on the road. We know that times are tough for many people right now and increased cost-of-living pressures may cause more people to make the wrong decision to drive uninsured, but this is not the right way to save money.

“We are encouraging people to ensure their motor insurance is adequate and appropriate for their needs, whilst reminding them that they can look at ways to legally reduce their premiums. While we understand the challenges many are facing, our message is that driving uninsured is never worth the risk.”