Expert welcomes governments new car insurance ruling

Drivers have been reminded of upcoming changes to car insurance laws.

Motorists across the UK have been issued a reminder about forthcoming changes to the country's car insurance laws.

As of June 20th, it was made illegal for people to keep a vehicle not covered by car insurance, which represents an alteration to current rules and regulations stating it to only be unlawful to drive an uninsured motor.

This change has been designed to crackdown on the number of cars in the nation that are maintained without the protection of annual insurance and the government yesterday (May 23rd) indicated it will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to enforcing the new law, which is likely to affect those with breakdown car cover.

Many drivers have also been found to be lying on their car insurance applications in an attempt to lower their premiums. However, People have been warned that doing so could invalidate their insurance policy and leave them with a huge bill if they ever needed to make a claim.

Mike Penning, road safety minister, said that uninsured drivers cause many injuries every year and "cost honest motorists £500 million in extra premiums".

"Our message is clear - get insured or face a fine, court action or seeing your car seized and destroyed," he added.

A nationwide advertising campaign to raise awareness of the changes has been launched by the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which Graeme Trudgill of the British Insurance Brokers' Association described as a "bold move".

The changes to the car insurance sector are positive, an expert believes and the government has been applauded for its decision to alter the UK's car insurance laws.

According to Robert Gifford, executive director at the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance's Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) legislation will have long-term benefits for car day insurance holders.

Under these new rules, it is now illegal for all motorists to keep a vehicle without annual insurance, rather than it just being an offence to drive uninsured.

Mr Penning described this "tough" legislation as a "clear message" that the administration is taking a zero-tolerance approach on people who use cars without cover.

And Mr Gifford explained this step will save lives and enhance safety on Britain's roads, while also reducing the cost of car insurance premiums across the market.

"Uninsured driving adds about £30 to every premium of every insured driver," he added.