Driving Without Insurance

Driving a car without insurance on UK public roads is illegal and can result in hefty fines and penalty points if caught. Whilst it may be tempting for some to risk it, if only for a short period of time, driving without car insurance is simply just not worth it. Here are some of the main reasons why you should never take a chance driving without car insurance.

What happens if I get caught driving without insurance?

What happens if you drive without insurance in the UK is that you leave yourself open to a whole lot of problems, financially and legally. It is illegal to drive without insurance for a start, so the police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points. If matters are taken further and you decide to contest the fixed penalty, then you will need to go to court.

The penalties for driving a car without insurance are more severe than a fixed penalty as you can end up being given an unlimited fine and disqualified from driving for up to 5 years. Your vehicle may also be seized and destroyed without compensation.

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*Police have up to 6 months to charge you with driving without insurance

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What happens if you get caught driving without a license and insurance in the UK?

Driving uninsured and without a license will only add to your problems, as you can be given additional fines and penalty points as well as a criminal record. Having a criminal record can increase the difficulty of finding jobs in future, especially if your role requires you to drive. It can also significantly increase your future premiums and may even lead to some insurers refusing to offer you cover. So driving car without insurance really isn’t worth the risk.

How do you get caught driving without insurance?

There are a number of ways you can get caught for driving without insurance, the most common of which is simply being pulled over. Here are a list of the common situations that lead to you being caught.

• Police pull you over
• You’re involved in an accident
• Being reported by another driver
• Being caught by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras are used by the police to scan number plates and check if the vehicle is insured. If your vehicle is not insured, you will be caught driving without insurance.

You should always keep your insurance policy documents in your car as proof of coverage.

What is the maximum fine for driving without insurance?

The maximum fine for driving with no insurance in the UK is unlimited. This basically means that the court can impose any fine they deem appropriate for the circumstances of your case. If you have previously been caught driving uninsured then you will likely face more severe fine amounts as well as additional penalties.

Is it ever okay to drive without insurance in the UK?

The only situation where you can legally get away with driving without insurance is when you are on completely private property. This can’t be a shared road or a public space as then you’ll need to be insured with a minimum of third-party insurance.

Why do some people drive without insurance?

People have many reasons for driving uninsured. Some may be concerned about the price of their premiums, others may think it’s not worth it as they’ll only be driving for a short time, and others may be disqualified from driving and so are driving illegally anyway.

Here’s why these are foolish reasons to drive a car without insurance:

1. Only driving temporarily – If you are only driving temporarily, get temporary driver insurance. It’s cheap and can insure you for as little as one day or even one hour. Getting caught in a vehicle you aren’t insured to drive, even if it’s for a test drive will still count as driving without insurance in the eyes of the law.
2. Premium price – The price of your premiums may seem off-putting, particularly if you are a young driver or have a history of previous claims. However, the fines and penalties for driving without insurance can end up hurting your wallet as well as your overall level of personal autonomy more than paying insurance premiums ever could. Find cheaper car insurance and get the best deal for you to avoid the potential nightmare of being charged for driving without insurance.
3. Disqualified from driving – Some people may feel that they have nothing left to lose as they may already be disqualified from driving. This can result in cripplingly high insurance prices, however, it is a terrible idea to just keep driving. If you are disqualified from driving, you should obey the law. Getting caught driving while disqualified can result in further fines, penalties and criminal charges. You’re only adding to your problems if you’re found to also be driving uninsured and many courts will not be lenient in such circumstances.

Getting cheap car insurance

To meet the legal requirements for insurance in the UK, you’ll need to take out a minimum of third-party insurance. This is typically the cheapest form of coverage and will insure you for damages you cause to third-party vehicles. This is to keep everyone on UK roads safe and without fear of being left out of pocket in the event of an accident that’s not their fault. If you wish to also be covered for damage caused to your own vehicle, even if you are at fault, then a comprehensive plan may be the better option for you.

The risks of getting caught driving without insurance are simply not worth it. Finding cheaper car insurance doesn’t need to be a headache though – That’s where we can help.

Quotezone has compiled a panel of over 110 UK-based insurance providers, making it easier than ever for you to see who can provide you with the best coverage for the cheapest price.

Compare car insurance quotes now

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