1.15 million confess to having no car insurance

1.15 million people confess to having driven a car in the last year without any insurance, according to a survey by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance.

The survey revealed that 19% said it was because they couldn’t afford it, 19% said they didn’t think it was necessary, 13% said they forgot to purchase it, while 13% said they didn’t have time to arrange cover. Specialist female car insurance companies were not included in the survey. 

The most common offenders are those aged between 17 and 24. The least likely to offend were the over 65s. Female car drivers were also less likely to offend than males.

On a regional basis, 6% of people in London have confessed to driving in the last 12 months with no insurance in place - the highest for any part of Britain.

Figures elsewhere are South West & Wales (5%), Yorkshire & Humberside (4%), Scotland (3%), North (2%), South East (1%), East Midlands & Anglia (1%) and West Midlands (1%).

According to the Association of British Insurers, the cost of uninsured motorists adds a further £25 to £30 to the average annual car insurance premium. Female car insurance companies agreed that thaey also had to include a similar amount in their premiums.

It is illegal to drive a car with no insurance in place and the punishment for those caught include fines, a driving ban or having their cars crushed.