Uninsured Drivers Could Make a Dent on your Insurance Policy

CHESTER, UK, November 30, 2011 -

• 1.4 million uninsured motorists loose on British roads
• Beware policy small print if you are hit by an uninsured driver - cover levels vary between providers, says MoneySupermarket.com

Uninsured drivers are widespread on British roads, with an estimated 1.4 million^[1] drivers illegally getting behind the wheel. In the unfortunate event of an accident where one of the drivers involved is uninsured, motorists with cover should be aware that it will vary between providers, according to analysis by MoneySupermarket.com.

Britain’s number one comparison site analysed the small print from the main insurers’ car insurance policies and reveals that policy wording will vary greatly in relation to being hit by an uninsured driver.

The research found that motorists with a “comprehensive” policy will, in most instances, be fully covered, won’t have to pay any excess and won’t lose their ‘no claims discount’. Checking the small print though, providers such as Churchill and Direct Line specify they will cover a motorist involved in an accident with an uninsured driver if they can provide a number of important details such as vehicle registration number, make and model of car, and names and addresses of any witnesses present.^[2]

Similarly, LV= will cover repairs to a car hit by an uninsured driver provided the motorist has comprehensive cover and can prove the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver (who can be traced).  In that scenario the motorist can reclaim any excess or uninsured loss provided they have Motor Legal Expenses Cover, which comes at an additional cost.

Pete Harrison, insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com said: “With 1.4 million uninsured motorists loose on the roads, the odds are high that a car accident may involve someone who does not have any cover in place. In this situation, I would advise motorists to check the small print of their policy to understand what is and isn’t covered as the devil is in the detail.”

The situation is different for motorists with third party cover only. Most third party policies will not cover motorists who are hit by an uninsured driver as third party policies only cover other parties involved in an accident, and so the main policy holder would not be covered for any damage to their own car. However. if however the policyholder is not liable for the accident, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) may be able to assist by paying for personal injury and personal damage. The MIB will however require sufficient evidence such as vehicle registration number, make and model of the car, police reports and witness statements before compensation can be paid. Additionally, third party cover can be a false economy, with policies often costing more than comprehensive cover in the first place.^[3]

Pete Harrison continued: “Motorists should really consider the benefits of taking out comprehensive car cover as not only does it cover you in the event of an accident with an uninsured. Not only does it offer the most benefits compared to Third Party or Third Party Fire & Theft policies, contrary to popular belief it is generally cheaper than these other policies.

“If you are unfortunate to be involved in a car accident then try to collect as many details as possible such as vehicle registration number, the make and model of the car, the driver’s details, as well as the names and addresses of witnesses present as this will help with the processing of the claim. I’d also recommend taking photographs of any incident or collision where possible; if you can’t do this on your mobile phone then keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment, as this evidence could be crucial.”

Notes to Editors:

^[1]Number of uninsured drivers on the road

www.askMID.com

^[2]Policy detail for main insurance providers of comprehensive cover

Provider: Uninsured driver cover

Direct Line: If you make a claim for an accident that is not your fault and the driver of the car that hits you is not insured, you will not lose your no claims discount or have to pay any excess. The customer would need to provide the vehicle registration number plus make and model of car and the drivers details if possible. It would also help if it is confirmed who is at fault and the names and addresses of any witnesses present.
Cover applies to comprehensive policy holders only.

Swiftcover: You are covered if you are hit by an uninsured driver or by an unknown driver when parked.
If you have comprehensive cover Swiftcover will repair the car or settle the claim in accordance with the terms of the policy. They will then seek to recover all costs from the person at fault. If they succeed any no claims bonus will not be affected.

AXA: You are covered if you are hit by an uninsured driver or by an unknown driver when parked.
If you have comprehensive cover Swiftcover will repair the car or settle the claim in accordance with the terms of the policy. They will then seek to recover all costs from the person at fault. If they succeed any no claims bonus will not be affected.

Churchill: Churchill comprehensive cover ensures that your no claims bonus is protected, by if no fault of your own, you’re hit by an uninsured driver and excess will be covered too.
When making a claim you must provide vehicle registration number, the make and model of the car, if possible the driver’s details, if possible confirmation as to who is at fault and any names and addresses of witnesses present.

LV=: Provided that you have comprehensive cover you will be covered for repairs to your car. If it can be proven that the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver and the details of the other driver are provided then you me be able to reclaim any excess or uninsured loss if you have Motor Legal Expenses Cover.

Aviva: If you’re hit by an uninsured driver and it wasn’t your fault you no claim discount won’t be lost and you may also be able to recover your excess. You will need to provide the registration number/make/model of the vehicle that hit you along with the drivers details.

More Than: If you are hit by an uninsured driver you will have to pay any excess up front. Excess will be refunded if a successful claim is made against the uninsured driver if you can provide as much information as possible such as make, model and registration of the car, the other driver’s name and address and if possible a photograph of the uninsured driver.

Hastings: In the event that you are involved in an accident that is not deemed to be your fault and the driver of the vehicle that hits you is not insured, your no claims discount will not be affected and you will not have to pay an excess. This is subject to the following conditions: you providing Hastings with the make, model and registration of the car, where possible the other driver’s name and address.

esure: Your no claims will not be affected if you have an accident where you are not at fault and those who are responsible are not insured, as long as they are identified.

Admiral:  Drivers with a fully comprehensive policy are covered for any damage incurred from an accident with an uninsured driver. Excess would be unrecovereable unless a claim through the third party can be made.

www.moneysupermarket.com 21.10.2011

^[3]

Fully Comprehensive Cover

40 year old male (Teacher) driving a Ford Focus (2009), Living in M20

10,000 miles a year with 5 years NCD, car parked on drive

                                                           Annual
                          Provider                         Premium  Total Excess
    Swiftcover                                            GBP437.95    GBP250
    Privilege                                             GBP469.58    GBP300
    AXA                                                   GBP477.19    GBP350
    Churchill                                             GBP490.78    GBP250
    LV=                                                   GBP491.51    GBP250
    Endsleigh                                             GBP493.47    GBP350
    esure                                                 GBP501.19    GBP250
    Nationwide BS                                         GBP529.45    GBP250
    Sheilas' Wheels                                       GBP567.32    GBP250
    More Than                                             GBP571.43    GBP250
                           Average                        GBP502.99
    Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 04.11.2011

Third Party Fire & Theft

40 year old male (Teacher) driving a Ford Focus (2009), Living in M20

10,000 miles a year with 5 years NCD, car parked on drive

                                                            Annual
                          Provider                          Premium   Total Excess
    1st Central                                            GBP697.31     GBP250
    Hastings Essential                                     GBP785.44     GBP595
    Admiral                                                GBP802.87      GBP0
    elephant.co.uk                                         GBP806.05      GBP0
    Bell                                                   GBP810.29      GBP0
    Diamond                                                GBP814.53      GBP0
    One Call Insurance                                     GBP949.08     GBP650
    Quotea.co.uk                                          GBP1,016.00    GBP100
    Halifax                                               GBP1,038.90    GBP100
    Bradford & Bingley                                    GBP1,054.24    GBP100
                           Average                         GBP877.47
    Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 04.11.2011

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