It is estimated that there are one million uninsured drivers in the UK and that accidents involving these motorists add up to an extra £30 a year to the motor insurance premiums of each law abiding motorist.

The Government plans to introduce measures to crack down on this problem. These will include:

• the introduction of automatic fines of at least £60 for driving whilst uninsured;
• police having access to insurance company records;
• making it illegal to own a car without insuring it or declaring that it is not being used;
• police being able to seize and crush uninsured vehicles; and
• drivers being given custodial sentences on conviction, where appropriate.

The planned changes will mean police can automatically send out fines based on insurance company records.

Statistically, uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents but currently police have to catch them using a car in order to prosecute them.

Norwich Union has announced that it is removing from its policies the ‘driving other cars’ provision that allows motorists to drive other people’s vehicles as long as they have the owner’s permission. The company says the provision is being abused in that some drivers purchase relatively inexpensive insurance cover for a small car and then use high performance vehicles belonging to others. The company says that police support the move as this type of cover makes it difficult for them to take immediate action against possible offenders. However, there are fears that the move could lead to even more uninsured drivers on the road, particularly if more insurance companies follow suit.

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, compensation may be available through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, an organisation established to compensate victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraced drivers. This is very poorly publicised, leaving many people who find themselves in such a situation under the impression that they have no right of redress.