Car insurance is mandatory if you want to drive your vehicle on public roads.
Although the rising cost of insurance premiums might make you consider driving without any cover, this would be foolish as not only is it illegal, it can bring harsh penalties as well.
But what are the rules surrounding car insurance, and what happens if you’re caught without it? Read on to find out.
Can I drive on the road without car insurance?
If you want to use your car on the public road, it will need to be insured. The minimum level is third-party car insurance, which will cover the damage to another person’s car and any costs involved in injuries, but it will not pay out for damage to your own car or your injuries.
Even if your car is parked on the public road and not being driven, it will need to be insured, as well as taxed and having a valid MOT.
How do I check if I am insured?
Life can be hectic, and if you own several cars that aren’t on a multi-car policy, remembering the date of when your insurance needs renewing can be difficult. While your car insurance company will likely write, or email, to tell you when your insurance is due for renewal (some do this automatically), don’t take this for granted. It’s worth shopping around for car insurance, too, as you’ll likely get a better deal.
You can enter your vehicle's insurance date into your own digital garage with Regit, and set free reminders so you never forget your insurance renewal date.
Can I be pulled over if I don’t have car insurance?
Police cars are fitted with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which can immediately flag up a vehicle that doesn't have insurance. Officers will likely pursue this, too, as it’s deemed to be one of the worst vehicle-related crimes.
If you’re stopped by the police, you will have seven days to provide up-to-date proof or a certificate of insurance, which must have been valid at the time of the offence – don’t think you can buy this afterwards.
Read your certificates and documents carefully to make sure your policy hasn’t expired, or that it hasn’t been cancelled. If it’s been ended early – perhaps for non-payment – and you have no knowledge of this and the insurer hasn’t taken reasonable steps to tell you, there may be a defence.
What are the penalties for driving without car insurance?
If you are found to not have car insurance, the police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points on your licence. They will likely seize your car from you, and they can charge you for its transportation and storage as well. In some cases, vehicles might be scrapped.
If the case goes to court, however, the penalty might be even worse, with judges able to give an unlimited fine or a driving ban.
You won’t get a criminal record as such, but as driving without insurance is an imprisonable offence, you’ll have to tell your insurer when you need to get a car insured. According to Confused.com, the average cost of insurance for those convicted of driving without cover is £1,796.
What about car insurance when test-driving a car?
Whether it’s your car or somebody else’s that you’re driving, you need to make sure that you’re insured to drive it. Never presume that you are already.
This includes on test drives, and while most car dealers will likely have trade policies that allow members of the public to get behind the wheel, you should always ask to make sure this is the case. Ideally, ask for proof, too. If you’re test-driving a car privately or need short-term insurance, it’s possible to get temporary hourly or daily cover.
When don’t I need car insurance?
It is only if your vehicle is on private property that you don’t need to insure it. But if the vehicle is damaged while there – if it’s reversed into, for example, or suffers from weather-related damage – you’ll have to pay for the repairs yourself.
It’s worth being aware of ‘private’ places that are actually deemed to be public, such as car parks and private estates. If there is public access on them, your vehicle should still be insured.