One month to go before new motor insurance crackdown

Motorists are being urged to check that all the vehicles they own are fully insured ahead of the government's crackdown on those evading this protection.

From June 20th, the Continuous Insurance Enforcement law will come into effect and make it an offence to keep a motor that is not covered, rather than simply to drive one, as is currently the case.

In order to tackle Britons who do not have insurance of this kind, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will work alongside the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) to pinpoint those cars, vans and lorries that are not financially protected.

Motorists will then receive a letter urging them to take action or risk a fine - which will be £100 if they fail to correct the situation.

Whether or not they pay the fine, if the owner still does not insure their vehicle it could be clamped or even destroyed, while the driver could also be sent to court and fined up to £1,000.

However, any motors that are the subject of a Statutory Off-Road Notice will not have to be insured.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning outlined the motivation behind the rules, saying: "Uninsured drivers are a danger on our roads, killing 160 and injuring a further 23,000 people each year and they cost honest motorists £500 million in extra premiums."

The MIB advises Britons to go to the askMID website to check that their vehicle is listed if they are concerned about the changes.

Posted by Mary Treen