The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.
This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.
Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen. The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications.
This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.
Other distractions that could be classed as careless driving include ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.
Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.
However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.
“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.
“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”
It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.
Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including breakdown cover, and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.
Churches are being urged to take steps to prevent arson after a church in Sheffield was seriously damaged in an attack.
Claims data from specialist insurer Ecclesiastical shows over 150 churches across the UK have suffered arson attacks over the past five years, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to historic buildings.
In the latest incident, Pitsmoor Christ Church was the victim of a fire on 4 July, which South Yorkshire Police are investigating as arson.
While the number of attacks dropped during the pandemic, Ecclesiastical is warning churches to take urgent action over the summer months when arson attacks more frequently occur.
Nationwide threat
The data revealed that almost every county in the country has seen churches targeted by arsonists, with London, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Essex and Kent the worst affected.
Unlike theft of metal where organised gangs tend to carry out raids over a large geographical area, arson is often as a result of the actions of an individual and with no clear trends. This makes proactive action to protect church buildings even more important
Communities devastated
Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical was formed over 135 years ago to protect Anglican churches and church buildings against the risk of fire. The Gloucester-based company’s risk management experts produce fire prevention advice, including arson prevention guidance, specifically designed to help protect churches.
While thankfully a rare occurrence, the impact of arson on churches and the wider community can be substantial as recent significant fires have shown.
In 2017 the Grade II listed Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton, Greater Manchester was devastated by an arson attack leaving the community distraught.. The restoration project, led by Ecclesiastical, is due for completion later this year.
More recently, All Saints Church in Mackworth, Derbyshire was gutted by fire in December 2020. A teenager has since pleaded guilty to setting fire to the church and schools in the area and is awaiting sentencing. A lengthy restoration project is underway to restore the Grade I listed building and return it to the local community.
Churches urged to take steps
Following the latest fire, Ecclesiastical’s risk management team has urged churches to take additional steps to protect themselves.
Jo Whyman, risk management director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Our data shows that arson seems to be on the increase again and the impact of these attacks can be truly devastating.
“It’s horrible to see churches damaged as a result of a fire – particularly at the hands of criminals. These buildings are part of the fabric of our society, at the heart of our communities, and have been for centuries. Senseless acts by individuals not only destroy bricks and mortar, but often priceless artefacts that have historical significance to our nation.”
Extinguishing the risks
To help manage the risk of an arson attack and help to protect the country’s cherished historic churches, Ecclesiastical’s risk experts have issued advice to churches.
These include:
Keep your church secure: At night lock your church doors, windows, and any external gates. Installing security lights and keeping the exterior well lit will deter intruders. Also, consider installing fire alarms, intruder alarms and CCTV that provides continual monitoring to an alarm-receiving centre.
Report suspicious activity and make your church look busy: Use the building as much as possible for church and community activities.
Practice good housekeeping: Keep internal doors shut and locked when not in use, this can slow the spread of fire through a building and prevents access to obscure areas. Safely store items that could start fires inside the church, for example portable heaters and matches, and move bins away from the outside of the building. Take particular care when building or maintenance projects are being undertaken, ensuring building materials and waste are stored safely, securely and well away from the building.
Carry out regular external inspections of your church buildings and grounds: Make regular checks to the building and report damage to the police and your insurers as soon as possible. Cut back vegetation on a regular basis.
Repair damage to the church immediately: A damaged building is at risk of further attacks, including arson. Ensure any damage is repaired and graffiti removed quickly.
Check your fire extinguishers: Check you have enough fire extinguishers including some that are water (hydro-spray) or carbon dioxide types.
Be prepared for fire: Keep up-to-date fire risk assessments for your premises. Consider ways in which deliberate fires could be started and how you can prevent or reduce the risk.
Mr Whyman continued: “Churches are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment and in doing so they’ll be able to understand the risk of fire – including the risk of an arson attack.
“It is really important that steps are taken to prevent fires and by following our guidance you can help to reduce the risk of arson at your property. The good news is, many of the recommended safeguards don’t require capital investment but simple precautionary steps which could make all the difference.
“Our Risk Management team are on hand to assist our customers and bespoke guidance and support is available through our Risk Advice Line as well as general guidance available on our website.”
A full list of Ecclesiastical’s arson prevention advice can be found at the company’s website, www.ecclesiastical.com.
The provider paid more than £3.5 billion in claims over the past five years
Covid-19 claims paid out last year amounted to over £73 million, double the amount paid in 2020
Nearly 17,000 customers and their families benefitted from an average pay out of £47,243
Project Smile launches to support children going through a difficult diagnosis
Legal & General paid out a record 46 personal protection claims every day in the UK during 2021, totalling £797.9 million – an increase of £33.9 million from 2020 – and benefitting 16,890 customers and their families.
As the UK’s number one individual Life Insurance provider Legal & General has paid out more than £3.5 billion in claims over the past five years across its Life, Critical Illness Cover (CIC), Terminal Illness Cover (TIC) and Income Protection (IP).
Overall, the provider paid 97% of individual protection claims with an average pay out of £47,243.
Of the small percentage not paid, almost nine in 10 were because of ‘deliberate or reckless misrepresentation’. Over 30% of misrepresentations were due to lifestyle factors that should clearly have been in the customers knowledge, with the majority of these being linked to alcohol.
Legal & General continues to work closely with its partners and distributors to help minimise misrepresentation and do more to explain how insurance claims work so it can support even more customers in 2022.
As in 2020, the pandemic impacted the 2021 claims data; with almost one in seven life claims Covid-19 related. Legal & General paid out 1,579 Covid-19 life claims at an average of £46,769 per claim, making up a combined total of almost £74 million – over £34.6 million more than last year.
The difference in claims for men versus women when it came to Covid-19 related deaths is stark. Only 35% of Life Insurance claims came from women, compared with 65% from men. Legal & General’s figures continue to reflect those from the Office for National Statistics that show men are more likely to pass away from Covid-19 than women2. In contrast, 60% of Legal & General’s overall Life Insurance claims are for men, again indicating an increase when looking at Covid-19 claims specifically.
Income protection continues to play an important role
All IP products include Legal & General’s Rehabilitation Support Service. It gives customers access to an in-house team of healthcare professionals who offer wide-ranging physical and mental health support at no extra cost.
Project Smile
This year saw the launch of Project Smile, an initiative to support children going through a difficult diagnosis.
For every claim relating to a child’s illness paid, the provider sends a gift to the child to help bring a smile to their face. Gifts are chosen according to the preferences of the child and can include anything from a voucher to a Peppa Pig toy.
David Banks, Director of Claims and Underwriting said:“Paying claims is core to what we do. As we continue to come back from Covid-19, we remain focused on giving our customers and their loved ones financial support when they need it most. But more has to be done to tackle misrepresentation.
“At Legal & General we’re working closely with partners and distributors to help make the underwriting process as transparent and streamlined as possible. We hope that increasing knowledge around the lifestyle and general health information required will minimise misrepresentation and help us support even more customers in their moment of need.
“We’re proud to have paid out more than £797million in claims last year, but it’s the personal impact behind the figures that’s most important. We know an injury or illness affects the whole family, none more so than when it happens to a child. That’s why we have launched Project Smile.
“Our assessors get to know the families throughout the course of a claim – we wanted to go beyond just dealing with the paperwork and show that we are thinking of them through what is likely to be the most challenging time of their lives.”
You may already be in planning mode for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but have you considered insuring your street party?
Between the 2nd and 5th of June, it’s estimated that there will be 10 million Britons hosting street parties organised across the UK, according to Country Living.
It’s no surprise to see how huge an occasion this is! Not only is this a great celebration of the Queen’s 70-year reign, but it’s also a welcome opportunity to reconnect with our community after COVID. We could all do with some good news after all.
There are so many things to think about when it comes to party-planning, and no more so than when it involves an entire street or community.
A-Plan Insurance have revealed their top tips to throw a Jubilee Street Party:
Planning a Jubilee Street Party?
The official Big Jubilee Lunch is planned for Sunday 5th June. Here are some helpful pointers to help you decide on whether to plan a street party:
1. What type of Jubilee Party do you want to hold?
If you are planning a Street Party, you will need to contact your local council. You can do this here or simply give your Council a call if it isn’t listed on their website.
If you don’t need to close the road, you can run a ‘Street Meet’ – if you live in a cul de sac, councils are generally happy for this to go ahead without permission. Otherwise, use driveways, parking areas and front gardens – none of these will require council permission. Ensure you don’t obstruct pavements.
Another option is a ‘Neighbour’s Picnic’, which can be held in the local park, the only caveat is that you cannot have music or a barbecue, but it may work well for sandwiches and cake!
2. Get your community involved from the start
Get your neighbours involved – and make sure everyone meets to discuss the Big Day beforehand.
Ask everyone to bring a dish and drink, and don’t forget to include vegetarian/vegan type options.
Consider whether you will buy plastic cutlery, or reduce waste and encourage neighbours to bring their own cutlery.
Consider classic British recipes, such as Scotch Eggs, sausage rolls, Bakewell Tart and Victoria Sponge cake.
If you are using private land, you could consider a barbecue.
If you need crockery, consider buying some mismatched plates from a charity shop, they appear much more authentic, cause less waste and the charity will benefit from your purchase. You could even clean them up and return them for resale.
To keep decoration costs down, get the local children involved in creating bunting, paper waving flags on (paper) straws, and paper chains.
Consider setting up a Spotify playlist and sharing the link with your neighbour’s who can add their music to it as well. Add a few of the Queen’s favourites, such as ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ by Vera Lynn, and ‘Leaning on a Lamp-post’ by George Formby.
And remind everyone to bring their favourite mug for a cup of tea!
3. Do I need Jubilee Street Party Insurance?
As a Platinum Jubilee Street Party is a one-off event, you won’t need a risk assessment or licence for the consumption of alcohol. That doesn’t mean that there is no risk.
We would encourage anyone organizing a Jubilee party to have street party insurance cover in place. The main risks are:
Burns from barbecues
Food and drink
Trips and falls
Damage to vehicles
Breakages
Some councils will require proof of insurance, while others won’t.
A spokesperson for A-Plan Insurance stated: “The Queen’s Jubilee is to celebrate her 70 years of service. Her Majesty The Queen is extremely well respected by many and is well-loved for her oath to duty, love of the people and even her sense of humour.
“Millions of people want to celebrate this milestone with her and we want to ensure that people are aware of the guidelines before throwing their party.
“To reiterate, as a Platinum Jubilee Street Party is a one-off event, you won’t need a risk assessment or licence for the consumption of alcohol. That doesn’t mean that there is no risk.
“We would encourage anyone organizing a Jubilee party to have street party insurance cover in place. We look forward to this huge, worldwide celebration.”
Male motorists are clocking-up more than twice as many penalty points as their female counterparts, according to new data from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Male drivers racking up three penalty points on their licences currently total 1,343,700, compared to 606,700 for female drivers, as of the 5 February this year.
The number of male drivers with six points is 395,000, whereas with female motorists the figure is 120,600.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, a leading insurance comparison website, comments: “The data suggests that women are the more cautious drivers – racking up less penalty points. However, the differences are stark to say the least and concerning.”
Greg Wilson warns that law breaking motorists will feel the effect: “At a time when all of us are looking to tighten our belts, penalty points can really hit motorists in the pocket. In addition to legal fines that accompany the points, offending motorists’ insurance companies will reassess how they see their risk and in turn premium.
“Three points can raise insurance premiums by 5%, but can rachet up fees by as much as 25% if a motorist has six points on a licence. Remember, penalty points stay on a licence for four years and the corresponding rise in insurance fees may do so as well.”
The data further shows that 1,120 women and 6,100 men have 12 points on their licences, which leads to an automatic ban – called a TT99. If a driver is disqualified from driving under this ‘totting up’ system, they will have had a TT99 conviction code added to their driving record, which means they’ll likely have to pay considerably more for their ‘TT99 insurance’ after the period of disqualification ends.
Greg Wilson continues: “Motorists who can prove exceptional circumstances in court may be allowed to continue driving, but the courts are far from pushovers and the judge has the power to award the maximum fine and determine the length of the ban – over 56 days means the driver has to reapply for the license and maybe even retest.”
Insurance providers are prohibited from using gender as part of their risk analysis calculation, as per The Equality Act established in 2010. They use other factors such as the level of no claims bonus secured, age, postcode, vehicle specifications and of course, number of penalty points incurred, to help determine the most appropriate premium price per customer.
Motorists who want to reduce the effect of penalty points might try the following to keep their premiums as low as possible:
Sign-up to a telematics product recognised by their insurance firm, which allows them to showcase their new safer driving behaviour
There are specialist insurance policies for drivers with penalty points that can help – shop around on comparison websites for specialist driver policies
The cost of car insurance in Scotland has increased by £25 in three months
New data shows car insurance prices are increasing, with drivers in Scotland now paying £419, on average
● Despite prices rising across all areas of Scotland, the average premium is still £22 (5%) cheaper than 12 months ago
● Drivers in Central Scotland pay more than the national average, with motorists in the region paying £465, on average, following the steepest quarterly increase (8%) of all UK regions
● Meanwhile, drivers in other regions of Scotland pay as little as £342, on average, in comparison
● Experts at Confused.com remind drivers that recent FCA changes do not guarantee their renewal price will be their best price available
● Further research shows insurers increased renewal premiums last quarter by £45, on average
The average cost of car insurance in Scotland has increased by £25 in just three months, new data reveals.
This brings the average price of car insurance in Scotland to £419, a 6% increase compared to three months ago. That’s according to the latest car insurance price index (Q4) by Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on more than six million quotes in a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.
While the cost of car insurance in Scotland appears to be increasing, prices are still cheaper than this time last year, having dropped by £22 (5%) in 12 months, with prices across the Scottish regions still significantly cheaper than two years ago.
While the average premium in Scotland stands at £419, the price paid by drivers will vary depending on where they live. In fact, motorists in Central Scotland are paying more than the national average, having seen the steepest increase in premiums in the past three months of all UK regions. An 8% (£33) increase in the region means motorists are now paying £465, on average. Although, this is still £17 (4%) cheaper than prices 12 months ago.
Meanwhile, drivers in other Scottish regions are paying out between £342 and £378, on average, with prices now as much as £18 (5%) more expensive than last quarter:
Region
Average premium
Quarterly change
Annual change
Central Scotland
£465
8% / £33
-4% / -£17
East & North East Scotland
£378
5% / £16
-6% / -£26
Highlands & Islands
£377
5% / £18
-6% / -£25
Scottish Borders
£342
4% / £15
-9% / -£32
This increase in prices over the past quarter is reflected across the rest of the UK, where prices have risen by £25 (5%) in three months. This brings the average cost of car insurance in the UK to £539 – a £36 (6%) drop compared to 12 months ago.
While these price increases may come as bad news to drivers, Confused.com experts have been predicting this U-turn for some time. A significant drop in the number of cars on the road throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and a subsequent fall in the number of claims being made led to a sharp drop in premiums with prices reaching a six-year low just last quarter.
However, prior to this, prices were steadily starting to increase as claims pay outs were becoming more and more expensive for insurers, as the pandemic and ongoing delays caused by Brexit meant that repairs and replacements were not only more expensive but taking longer to complete. And this was reflected in the prices being offered to customers.
Now, as drivers spend more time on the road, and the number and overall cost of claims being made are increasing, as predicted, the cost of car insurance is increasing to reflect this and could soon return to pre-pandemic levels.
In fact, if the average price for the UK continues on the current trajectory, increasing by around 5% each quarter, the average cost of insurance in three months could be more expensive than it was 12 months ago. Based on this trend, UK drivers could be paying as much as £566 next quarter, compared to £538 in Q1 2021, on average.
In light of the recent insurance pricing changes enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, reminds drivers that these increases could mean that they may receive a more expensive renewal price in the coming months, despite many incorrectly believing that the changes guarantee a cheaper or flat premium.
Under the new regulations, insurers must offer drivers the same price they would receive as a new customer buying in the same way, banning what was previously known as a new customer discount.
Previously renewing customers may have seen their renewal price rise to offset the cost of new customer discounts. However, the new rules don’t guarantee that drivers will never see their renewal price increase again.
For example, if car insurance costs in the UK are typically 5% more expensive year-on-year, this increase could also be reflected in renewal premiums. In fact, further research by Confused.com found that two in five (42%) drivers who received their renewal last quarter saw their price increase by £45, on average, suggesting insurers could already be increasing renewal premiums in line with the current trend.
This is why it is important for drivers to still take the time to shop around, as the research also shows that almost half (46%) of those who had a higher premium at their last renewal were able to save £64, on average, by switching to another insurer using a price comparison site.
Although, it isn’t just those who are seeing more expensive premiums that are able to make savings, as almost a fifth (18%) of those who had a cheaper renewal went on to shop around and switch, saving £46 on average. However, with Confused.com’s Beat Your Renewal guarantee, these savings could be seen by millions of other customers.
However, there is some good news for drivers, as prices of new policies are still cheaper year-on-year, on average, which means those shopping around and switching insurers could still save money. And under the new FCA rules, insurers must make it easier for customers to cancel the automatic renewal of their policies, something which one in five (20%) consider to be stressful.
Despite being able to save when shopping around, some drivers are still paying more than others, and typically it’s male motorists who are forking out the most when it comes to their car insurance.
Given the fact that drivers in Central Scotland are paying significantly more than those in other Scottish regions, it’s no surprise that both male and female drivers have the highest car insurance costs.
Broken down, male drivers in Central Scotland are now paying £486, on average, following a £33 (7%) increase in the past three months, while female drivers are paying £429, which is £31 (8%) more than three months ago.
East and North East Scotland follows as the second most expensive region for male drivers, with the average premium here now £400. This is £59 more than the prices that female drivers in the region are paying (£341).
Similarly, much like the rest of the UK, younger drivers across all four regions are forking out the most for their car insurance, with 17-to-20-year-old male drivers in Central Scotland paying an eye-watering £1,343, on average. Female drivers of the same age and location pay just £1,041 in comparison.
However, it’s male drivers in their early 20s in both the Scottish Highlands and Islands and Central Scotland who have been stung by the steepest increases this quarter, as the average premium rises by 13% and 12%, respectively.
This equates to increases of £102 and £106, putting the average price paid at £874 and £995, respectively. These drivers are also among the few that have seen their premium increase over the past year, as prices increase by £30 (4%) for 21-to-25 year old male drivers in the Highlands and Islands, and by £13 (1%) for those in Central Scotland.
Looking to the towns and cities in Scotland, the price paid varies depending on where a driver lives. Of all postcode areas in Scotland, Glasgow is revealed to be the most expensive, with motorists forking out £525, on average – a significant amount more than the regional average. This is a £47 (10%) increase compared to three months ago, making the average premium just £4 ( 1%) cheaper than last year’s price.
In the Scottish Highlands and Islands, it’s motorists in Shetland that are paying out the most, with average prices in the area now £490, while drivers in Dundee face the highest premiums in the East and North East, paying out £386, on average. In the Scottish Borders, it’s drivers in Dumfries that have the highest car insurance costs, standing at £344, on average.
This shift in car insurance prices was to be expected, as drivers resume their normal habits. Given the current cost of fuel and the uncertainty surrounding the energy market, these increases will no doubt hit drivers’ wallets hard. However, this doesn’t mean that drivers can’t save money on their car insurance, as shopping around can still save potentially hundreds of pounds.
Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, comments: “Car insurance prices rising is not the happy news we wanted to start the year with, however it’s also not completely unexpected, as people resume their normal driving habits, and the cost of vehicle repair and replacement continues to increase.
“Although, customers who are shopping around are still receiving prices that are cheaper than 12 months ago, which is especially good news at the moment, as some customers are still seeing their renewal price increase year-on-year. This just goes to prove that there are still plenty of better deals out there.
“As claims costs continue to increase, we expect to see car insurance prices rise too, regardless of the change in pricing regulations by the FCA. And this will be particularly noticeable when we receive our renewal price after 18 months or so of considerably cheap premiums.
“It’s really important that we remember the new rules set out by the FCA do not mean our renewal price will be the best price we can get. If anything, these changes have made the market even more competitive, so there will likely be an insurer out there that could be cheaper or offer a better deal for the cover you need.
“Please don’t settle for your renewal quote from your insurer. We know that there will always be a saving to be made. We’re so sure of this that we’re offering to beat your renewal quote or give you the difference, plus £20.”
Are you planning to purchase an e-scooter this Christmas? Make sure you know the laws and implications beforehand – using an e-scooter in a public place in Scotland is ILLEGAL.
This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres and promenades. E-scooters can only be used on privately owned spaces, with the land or property owner’s permission.
E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs). They are treated the same as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements, such as insurance, a valid driving licence and compliance with manufacturing and use requirements.
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw, Deputy Head of Road Policing, Police Scotland said: “We understand that e-scooters are a tempting option for Christmas presents this year. It is important however, to make it clear, these are not toys and they are illegal to use in public.
“If an e-scooter is on your Christmas wish list, make sure you know how and where to use them safely.”
Over the last two years, Scottish drivers have collectively paid out a whopping £2 million to release their car after being seized by police forces.
More than 4,500 cars were destroyed by local police forces in 2019 and 2020, with a further 1,100 being auctioned, raising more than £500,000.
In total, offences increased by 16% across the UK between 2019 and 2020, with more than 101,000 drivers caught driving without insurance last year alone.
Further research finds a third (33%) of UK drivers have borrowed or driven another car without necessarily having the right insurance in place.
Can I drive someone else’s car on my insurance? Confused.com clears up confusion as one in seven (14%) drivers are unaware of the rules around driving other cars.
The number of uninsured drivers in Scotland has increased by 37%, new data finds, as local police forces report close to 20,000 offences during last year alone.
That’s according to new Freedom of Information data obtained by Confused.com, which showed that the number of motorists caught driving without the correct insurance in Scotland increased from 14,363 in 2019, to 19,726 in 2020.
This means those caught could have collectively paid more than £10 million in fines over the two years, based on the minimum penalty dished out to offenders being £300.
When a driver is caught without the right insurance, the police are within their rights to not only issue fines but also seize the car in question. Offenders would then need to show evidence of a valid car insurance policy to release the car and pay a fee.
In 2020, a total of 8,811 cars were seized across Scotland, up from 6,851 in the previous year. This could be from the number of cars seized after being stopped, or those found on the road without insurance. And collectively, a whopping £2 million was paid by drivers in the region to release their car, which could have been on top of the fines they’ve already paid, proving to be a very costly mistake to make!
Cars that aren’t reclaimed could be destroyed. In fact, over the last two years, more than 4,500 cars were destroyed by police in Scotland. Or alternatively, they could be sold off at an auction, which was the case for 1,161 of the cars seized in 2019 and 2020. This raised a very nice sum of £500,000, averaging at around £431 made per car.
It’s a similar picture across the rest of the UK, where 100,983 motorists were caught without insurance in 2020, up from 86,914 in 2019 (+16%).
Taking out car insurance is one of the first things drivers must do when they buy or lease a car. And as it stands, all insurance policies are set to automatically renew at the end of their terms so that a driver is never left without cover. So why are so many drivers being caught out?
Previous research by Confused.com shows that many people cancelled their car insurance throughout the coronavirus pandemic to save money, which could explain the increase in offences last year.
However, new research has found that a worrying one in three (33%) UK drivers have borrowed or driven another car without necessarily having the right insurance.
Of those drivers, more than half (52%) did so under the assumption that they would be covered, while close to one in six (16%) knew they didn’t have the right insurance in place. Almost two in three (64%) made the excuse that they were only making a short trip, while more than half (58%) took the gamble because the owner of the car was with them.
While it seems that many people are knowingly taking the risk by driving uninsured, the research also found that many drivers are confused about what their insurance policy allows them to do.
Nearly one in six (16%) UK drivers find it confusing to know if their policy allows them to drive other cars, while one in seven (14%) don’t know the requirements.
According to Confused.com’s experts, driving other cars (DOC) isn’t something that is automatically included on comprehensive policies, despite many believing that it is. In fact, not all insurers will offer it as an option. It’s simply there for emergencies, such as if a friend has had an accident and needs driving to the hospital.
But to have DOC on their policy there are a few requirements drivers must meet, including:
They must be aged 25 or over when the policy starts.
Their own car insurance policy needs to be a fully comprehensive one.
Worryingly, many drivers are unaware of the rules around driving other cars. In fact, one in eight (12%) wrongly believe its true that you are automatically insured to drive another car if you have comprehensive policy at any age, while a further one in eight (13%) believe this to be the case if you have a comprehensive policy and are over the age of 25.
However, experts suggest that motorists can only drive another car if their policy explicitly specifies it, although this will only cover for third-party damage, or if they are a named driver on the owner’s policy, in which case they would be covered for the same level as the policy holder.
This seems to be a popular option for the two in three (68%) drivers who drive or have access to another car. Almost half (49%) of these drivers are insured as a named driver, while almost two in five (39%) are insured on their own comprehensive policy.
However, it seems that drivers who have access to another car aren’t necessarily using it regularly. In fact, only one in four (25%) will use the second car at least once a week, while one in five (21%) claim to use it very rarely. But this isn’t surprising, given that more than a fifth (22%) claim they only have access to another car to reduce the insurance premium.
In fact, Confused.com car insurance price index (Q2 2021) data does suggest that this can reduce prices for some drivers, with the average premium dropping by as much as £204 for having another person on the policy(3). However, for two in five (41%) drivers, they have the option of which car to use depending on the journey they make.
Despite so many motorists being insured to drive another car, a worrying one in two (54%) admit they would still jump behind the wheel of another car without insurance, with almost two in five (38%) claiming they would take the risk in an emergency. However, this is a point that many drivers raised throughout the research, with one in three (30%) believing that having DOC on an insurance policy is important for emergencies, while more than one in five (22%) thinking it should be standard on all comprehensive policies.
Either way, it’s important for drivers to understand that having a comprehensive policy doesn’t automatically entitle them to drive another vehicle, and that they could in fact be hit with a very hefty fine.
And when it comes to buying or renewing a car insurance policy, having a conviction for driving without insurance is likely to increase your premium, with some insurers potentially not offering cover at all.
If a driver needs to use another car, Confused.com’s guide to driving other cars explains how to check if this is included on an insurance policy, or search for alternatives to help motorists avoid fines.
Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “Driving without insurance is an offence that can be costly in fines but can also damage your record when it comes to applying for a new car insurance policy.
“Not only this, but you could risk having to pay to have your car released, which when you consider the fine as well, could end up costing you more than an insurance policy itself!
“Insurers appreciate that there are some emergency situations where you may need to jump behind the wheel of a car you don’t own, which is why some offer driving other cars within their comprehensive policy. But being over 25 or having a comprehensive policy doesn’t automatically entitle you to this. This must be outlined in your policy, or you do risk the penalty.
“If you’re confused about whether you policy allows you to drive another car, we’ve outlined what policies tend to cover, and how you can add it to your policy in our guide to driving other cars. Though it’s important to remember that this will only cover for third party damage.”
The IFB is warning new drivers to watch out for a rising scam known as ‘Ghost Broking’ which involves bogus car insurance deals being sold on social media, as it could cost them their first car.
The warning comes as hundreds of thousands of learners get set to pass their driving tests as they catch up from the disruption caused by Covid-19.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also provides comment.
Statistics and campaign content can be found in the notes to newsroom.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) is urging new drivers to watch out for bogus car insurance deals being promoted on social media, as hundreds of thousands of learners* get set to pass their tests following a year of disruption caused by Covid-19.
Fake car insurance sales known as ‘Ghost Broking’ is a growing scam which involves fraudsters pretending to be Insurance Brokers in order to sell unrealistically cheap and completely fake policies, often to younger drivers via Facebook and Instagram.
With a large influx of new drivers on the horizon following confirmation from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) that driving test centres face an unprecedented challenge to reduce waiting times left by the pandemic, the IFB is warning new motorists to be vigilant to bogus car insurance deals on social media as it could cost them their first car.
Stephen Dalton, Head of Intelligence and Investigations at the IFB, said: “The last thing new drivers need right now is to risk losing their car for no insurance because they’ve been duped by a scammer on social media.
“Drivers must carry out basic checks to make sure they’re buying car insurance through a trusted provider, or they’ll be making a very expensive mistake.
“I encourage anyone who’s seen evidence of an insurance scam to report it to the IFB’s confidential Cheatline online or on 0800 422 0421.”
Mark Magee, Head of Driver Policy at the DVSA, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.
“As well as ensuring you have the skills, knowledge and understanding attitude to drive safely, having valid insurance is of the utmost importance when you drive on your own.
“Check to make sure insurance brokers are genuine before parting with your money.”
Learner drivers in a driving school are typically covered by their instructor’s insurance policy, until they pass their test and need to take out motor insurance for their first car. With a rush of new drivers approaching and with so many people facing financial hardship, the IFB is concerned it will provide fertile ground for ‘Ghost Broker’ scammers.
Fraudsters often tempt younger people with their bogus car insurance deals by promoting unrealistically cheap prices up front, despite the fact insurance is meant to be priced based on the risk of the individual. They often then encourage contact with them through popular end-to-end encrypted messaging software such as WhatsApp.
The IFB which is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the police to crackdown on organised insurance scams has seen its investigations into ‘Ghost Broking’ double since 2016, and the scam has remained prevalent throughout the pandemic.
IFB investigations have found cash-strapped young drivers forking out hundreds of pounds for car insurance that in reality is worth no more than a photoshopped piece of paper. In some cases scammers also use stolen personal information to take out policies which are then doctored before being sold on to customers.
Driving without valid insurance is easily detected by police. Uninsured drivers can have their vehicle instantly seized and are likely to receive six licence points. They can also face court where they might receive an unlimited fine and a driving ban. Furthermore, an uninsured driving conviction will show on records and can affect job prospects.
If a collision is caused by the uninsured driver they may also be liable for covering the costs which can run into the thousands.
Avoiding fake car insurance deals
New drivers are urged to avoid deals on social media or messaging apps and to only purchase car insurance through reputable sellers.
Drivers willing to add more than a half marathon distance to their journey to avoid narrow roads
1 in 10 drivers has had an argument over who should reverse back to a passing place on a narrow country road
Three-in-10 motorists admit to deliberately steering clear of narrow country lanes and are prepared to take a detour of 16 miles or 25 minutes to avoid them, according to new research from one of the UK’s biggest car insurers, Ageas, and the RAC.
As millions of Brits jump into their cars and head off on staycations in the countryside this summer, the figures highlight just how unnerved many drivers – especially those who live in towns and cities – are by Britain’s rural roads, which account for more than half of all those in the country.
More than half of drivers (58%) say they find using narrow country roads stressful, a figure that rises to 76% for drivers who live in urban areas. The two biggest causes of stress, according to the research, are the difficulty of squeezing past other vehicles in tight spaces (62%) and the fear of colliding with another vehicle head on (61%).
But the etiquette of who moves out of the way is also high on drivers’ list of concerns about these types of roads. Having to try to reverse back to find a passing place (45%), the fear of meeting a tractor and not being able to pass (44%) and deciding who succumbs to back up to a passing place (37%) make up drivers’ top five stress factors.
More than a third (36%) meanwhile say they think the default 60mph limit on country roads is just too fast to begin with, while 35% say they fear damaging their car.
The research suggests that some motorists are more vocal than others when it comes to deciding who has to reverse, with one-in-10 drivers admitting they’ve had an argument with another driver over who should go back when driving on a narrow country road.
But it is the detours that drivers are prepared to go to avoid the stress of rural lanes which is perhaps most surprising. On average, people are prepared to add 16 miles – more than a half marathon – to their journey if it means they can avoid driving down this type of road. They’d also be willing to add another 25 minutes to their drive – enough time to watch a whole episode of Eastenders.
City-dwellers are also much more concerned about narrow country lanes and go to longer distances to escape them. Three-quarters (76%) of these drivers say they find them stressful, of which 27% say they will always stick to wider main roads instead. What’s more, these drivers say they’d be willing to add 23 miles or 30 minutes to their journey to avoid them, 14 miles and 10 minutes more than their rural counterparts.
Robin Challand, claims director at Ageas Insurance, said: “We understand that getting to your holiday destination can be stressful at the best of times. Between packing, long car journeys and hot weather, there’s a lot to get flustered about.
“Our research shows the type of roads we drive on can also be a cause of stress, with crashes and scrapes high on the list of people’s concerns, so we’re urging people to stay calm and – most importantly – stay safe this summer.
“Negotiating narrow rural lanes can be tricky, even for the most seasoned of drivers, but by following some simple tips and staying calm, you can avoid adding a damaged car to your list of things to get stressed about this summer.”
RAC Breakdown spokesman Simon Williams said: “With unprecedented numbers of drivers on the UK’s roads this summer, more and more people will find themselves squeezing down narrow country lanes to reach beaches and popular countryside spots – and these figures show just how uncomfortable many drivers are using doing this, especially those who are used to wider city roads with much better visibility.
“For any driver less confident with tackling rural lanes the message has to be to plan a journey properly before setting out, and drive at the right speed according to the nature of the road, even if the official limit is 60mph. We’d also advise not becoming too reliant on a car’s sat-nav – while ducking off a main road to shave off a few minutes might seem like a good idea, if you’re then faced with having to carefully negotiate a tractor and queue of vehicles coming the other way, any advantage is soon lost.”
The RAC offers three simple tips to help drivers negotiate rural roads safely and more stress-free this summer:
Check your route carefully – if using a sat-nav, scrutinise the suggested route before setting out and see whether it’s actually easier and more comfortable to stick to main roads as far as possible instead. And be aware of sat-navs recommending diversions down narrow lanes for the sake of making up just a few minutes – it’s time that’s easily lost if you meet oncoming traffic. Don’t be afraid to take the long way round – perhaps an extra 16 miles or 25 minutes is well worth it
Get in some practice – if you’re not used to negotiating narrow roads, then have some practice driving on some close to home before the pressure of a family holiday
Take your time – while many country roads might have speed limits of 60mph, that doesn’t mean it’s the right speed to drive at – in fact, in many cases it’s incredibly unsafe to do so. Read the road carefully and consider what forward visibility you have. If it’s narrow and winding, reduce your speed accordingly
Separate RAC research suggests this summer will see very high levels of traffic on UK roads, with drivers planning in excess of 29m staycations – 16m of these in the school holidays alone.
