I recently started a new client, who after hearing his initial story made me stop and think a little as to how many people drive around in a car blissfully unaware that they are NOT insured.

I cant mention names etc however this new client came to me as somebody who had had their licence revoked due to accumulating six points on his licence within the first two years after passing his original driving test succumbing to the probation period regarding the “New Drivers Act”.

Gaining a new client for having the licence revoked isn’t anything new and happens far more than people think, normally though they have gained the six points due to speeding, mobile phone use or traffic light offences all of which tend to be £100 fines accompanied by three penalty points on the drivers licence.

This one though was different, which makes me think how many people have just got lucky! Our client had been awarded the full six points in one offence for driving without insurance, it sounds terrible but bare with me it’s not as simple as it sounds. He was driving somebody else’s vehicle and thought he was covered to third party status by his own insurance. Their policy stated that if over 25 years of age they were covered third party to drive any other Category B (Car) with the owners consent. The problem being our client was only 22 thus declaring this clause in his policy as void.

In years gone by it was common place to believe that your own insurance policy covered you to drive another vehicle (with the owners consent) to third party cover, however modern day insurance policies are vary wide and varied DO NOT NORMALLY OFFER THIS COVER AS STANDARD. 

The moral of this story is, if you are currently sharing a car or have cause to drive another vehicle and you believe your own vehicle insurance is covering you third party CHECK YOUR POLICY NOW !!!!!!! as it is highly likely that you are not covered and are driving illegally. If you are stopped by the police or have an accident and are charged with not having any insurance the penalties are wide ranging

The police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points if you’re caught driving a vehicle you’re not insured to drive.

If the case goes to court you could get a maximum fine of £5,000 and or disqualified from driving

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured.

Now go check your insurance policy!!

Blog courtesy of Get Driving Today.