Shocking levels of uninsured vehicle on UK roads

Data released by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) shows that there is an average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles on UK roads every day. As vehicles may be uninsured for months at a time, the total number uninsured across the year is over 1 million.

According to a YouGov study commissioned by MIB, 10% of the British public are not aware that motor insurance is compulsory for any vehicle used on a public road. Uninsured driving remains a huge problem to society, causing devastation to innocent victims and their families, and has strong links to secondary offences from speeding and drink / drug driving to money laundering or drug running.

However, with motor insurance premiums consistently rising since the start of 2022 and a cost-of-living crisis putting pressure of household finances, there are concerns that uninsured levels may rise as otherwise law-abiding drivers struggle to make insurance payments.

MIB, the not-for-profit entity that exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, are raising awareness of the need for continuous and appropriate insurance to be in place for all vehicles. As part of MIB’s mission to make roads safer, they have recently invested a further £5million to update and expand their enforcement initiatives that remove uninsured vehicles from the road. They are also increasing focus on prevention through education. 

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

• Renewing early – Research suggests that premiums are likely to be at their lowest 20-26 days before your renewal is due. This alone could save you a considerable amount of money.
• Black Box – consider a policy with a black box, as this reduces the risk to the insurer.
• Shop around – use comparison sites, insurers own websites, or see if a BIBA-registered Broker can secure you a deal. You can also contact your current insurer too to see if they can reduce the cost. 
• Combine policies – consider one provider for multiple insurance policies, such as multi-car or car and home insurance, as some offer discounts. 
• Smaller vehicles – in some instances, a smaller, less powerful vehicle may be cheaper to insure.
• Electoral roll – being on the electoral role can be part of the ID check to reduce fraud, lowering the risk to the insurer.

Martin Saunders, Head of Enforcement for MIB, 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.”