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Millions of drivers may risk invalidating their car insurance policy by ignoring common rules

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

According to new research, carried out by temporary car insurer Cuvva, as many as 15 million drivers in the UK risk losing their cover in the event of an accident by ‘flouting’ insurance rules.

Cuvva surveyed 1,243 UK motorists and found that 70% of drivers admitted to breaking one or more common policy rules, which could see their policy invalidated.

43% of drivers admitted to eating whilst behind the wheel, 18% have carried a pet in the front seat and 16% have driven in flip-flops or barefoot. Insurers have the right to void a policy if they find out that any of these errors have been committed at the time of a crash or incident.

Drivers also risk fines by driving other people cars. 43% of those surveyed didn’t know who would be responsible for fines or points if they let a friend drive their car. The study found that 12% of drivers had offered to park a friend’s car without considering the implications on insurance and 5% had driven another car without checking if they had the relevant cover. 

Chief executive and founder of Cuvva, Freddy Macnamara, said: “The insurance industry needs to start educating drivers so that more people can avoid making common mistakes. Some of these slip-ups, such as offering to park a car for a friend, seem fairly innocent but can still be met with crippling fines and licence penalty points.

“The problem is that insurance policies tend to be packed full of jargon and come with vast amounts of paperwork, which can cause drivers to disengage. The sector arguably needs to modernise in response to this, by going more digital. If insurance becomes more accessible and digestible, drivers will have a better chance of understanding and abiding by policies.”

LATEST NEWS ON MOBILE USE

Tens of thousands of drivers get increased fines for using mobiles at wheel 02-03-2018  

New THINK! campaign highlights the chances of being caught using a mobile while driving.

More than 26,000 motorists have been caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving in the first year since harsher penalties came into force.

Among these are 500 novice drivers who have had their licences revoked for using their phone behind the wheel in their first 2 years of driving.

On 1 March 2017, the penalties for this offence doubled from £100 and 3 penalty points to £200 and 6 points.

To coincide with the first anniversary of the new penalties, THINK! is highlighting the chances of being caught in adverts, which will appear on radio, social media, on demand video and in shopping centres, as part of its ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the dangers.

USE OF MOBLES...

A tougher stance on mobile phones at the wheel

Studies by the Transport Research Laboratory showed driving while texting affected reaction times by around 35 percent*. The government has already banned the use of mobile phones behind the wheel, but some motorists continue to use phones in a dangerous manner when driving.

In the past, if you were caught using a mobile at the wheel, you could expect three points on your licence and a £100 fine. From 1st March 2017, new laws were introduced to see those penalties doubled. Being caught using your phone in any capacity while driving will now leave you with six points on your licence and a fine of £200.

Beware new drivers – under the new law, being caught using a mobile just once could mean having to sit your driving test all over again!

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Driving test changes 4 December 

The driving test in England, Scotland and Wales will change from Monday 4 December 2017.

The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving.

The 4 main changes to the test are:

The independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes.

Most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.

The reversing manoeuvres will be changed.

Answering a vehicle safety question while you’re driving

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Many thanks to Ken and Steve, the crew for the Tally Ho Rally on Sunday 14th May 2017. A great time was had by all. 

Ian, our usual third crew member, was unable to attend, so thanks to Steve for stepping in as a late substitute.

Rally started and finished at Crich Tramway Museum. Well worth a visit. 

Also, thanks to the Crooked Spire team who arranged the event.

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MAY 2017

Who Can You Trust!!

A learner driver failed to pass her test after police pulled her over in the middle of the exam and seized her instructor's car for not having any insurance.

 

During the driving test in Tile Cross, East Birmingham, West Midlands Police checked the car and found it also had no MoT.

 

The force’s road policing unit said the student would have passed the test had it not been interrupted, as no mistakes had been recorded.

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EMERGENCY SERVICES...

 People are being warned that they could unwittingly be breaking the law when allowing emergency service vehicles to pass by.

We know we need to get out of the way when we hear sirens or see the flashing lights of police cars, ambulances, and fire engines.

But the Highway Code says drivers mustn't break the law when making room for emergency vehicles.

Letting them through could help to save a life, but doing so illegally could put yourself and other motorists by pedestrians in unnecessary danger.