Uninsured driver numbers continue to increase despite the penalties
Uninsured drivers are costing the insurance industry millions of euros every year in claims resulting in premium costs having to rise to make up for the shortfall created by these law breakers.
As people struggle financially during the recession, it may seem appealing not to renew your motor insurance policy. However, by getting appropriate cover to drive, you are not only protecting yourself in the event of an accident, theft or damage, but you are safeguarding yourself against other road users too, who may not be as cautious a driver as you are.
Those caught driving without insurance will face heavy penalties, both financially and with points on their licence. There is also the possibility that the car can be impounded, leaving the owner with a collection and storage fee to pay.
Despite these warnings and severe penalties, the number of uninsured drivers on the roads has increased by an incredible 33 per cent since 2008. These are the findings of a recent study revealing that 20 per cent of motorists questioned, admitted to breaking the law by driving without appropriate insurance in place, compared to 15 per cent the previous year.
Nine per cent of drivers said they had driven their own vehicle without the necessary car insurance in place, whilst eight per cent said they had driven someone else’s vehicle without being properly covered to do so.
Commenting on the findings, one insurance expert said, “How disappointing to see so many people have taken to the roads uninsured. It is a worrying thought that every fifth car we see is not covered and year on year the research reveals a staggering 33 per cent increase in the number of people driving uninsured. The onset of recession may mean more motorists are unable to afford the cost of their insurance, but if hit by an uninsured vehicle, only motorists with a fully comprehensive policy will be covered by their insurer to pay for the car to be repaired and even then they may face losing their no claims discount.”
The figures showed that men are more likely to drive whilst uninsured with 23 per cent admitting to doing so, compared to just 16 per cent of women. Young drivers are also more likely to get behind the wheel without insurance with 37 per cent of drivers in their twenties confessing to having done so, compared with just seven per cent of those in their sixties.
Rochelle Martinez, Freelance Web Content Article Writer for three years. Some of her articles are about http://www.quinn-direct.com.