U.K. motorists can expect stiffer penalties for driving without insurance as the Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) law has taken effect. Just how stiff are the consequences? Well, vehicle owners found in violation will be forced to pay a hefty fine and even face prosecution. Of course offenders' rides face a far worse fate: being clamped, seized or hauled away to be crushed.

Although destroying vehicles may sound extreme, the measure is being lauded by many who charge that uninsured driving is a danger to the roads—and, by extension, the honest policyholders traveling on them.

“This is a serious offense,” said Ashton West, chief executive of the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB), which was established in 1946 to compensate victims of negligent uninsured motorists. “[Uninsured drivers] cause accidents that result in about 160 deaths each year, with more than 23,000 people injured.”

Among other negative side effects, these injuries—and the ensuing insurance claims—drive up auto insurance policy premiums. West said that “honest” drivers end up paying an extra 30 euros (or the equivalent of about $42.66) each year as a result of this failure to respect both the law and fellow drivers.

Current data suggests that 1.4 million drivers hit British roadways without proper coverage. Written notices are currently being circulated to offenders, who must comply or start considering public transportation options. The CIE stipulates that, upon receipt of the aforementioned warning, registered owners of uninsured vehicles can either secure insurance immediately or declare that the vehicle will be kept “off the road,” alerting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Vehicle owners failing to abide with the order will incur a fine of 100 euros, leading to the uninsured vehicle being clamped, seized, or even crushed. Owners may also face court prosecution. It should be noted that simply owning (not just driving) a vehicle sans proper insurance coverage will constitute a violation, unless said vehicle is declared inoperable to the DVLA.

In a press release, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning emphasized that uninsured driving consumes vital resources. He explained that the enforcement of CIE should hopefully result in more sensible allocation of law enforcement's time moving forward:

“These new powers will help us to take targeted action while freeing up police time to deal with the hard core of offenders,” Penning stated.

West expressed similar optimism in backing the newly enacted law, which he called the “final piece in the jigsaw against uninsured [driving].”

It is too early to tell if the recent developments across the pond will spur P&C insurers and legislators to either take action or perhaps consider tougher penalties for infractions here in the U.S.

Source: Swinton Insurance

Special Reports /

Time Is Up for Many Uninsured Drivers

Related Stories

Recommended For You