Ten times as many uninsured drivers drink and drive, and three times as many are caught driving without paying attention. Every six months, they also cause an accident. In fact, one out of every twenty drivers often drives without insurance. So, it's not too surprising that one in ten drivers have been in accidents with drivers who didn't have insurance. What should you do if you get into an accident with one?
In the past...
Ten times as many uninsured drivers drink and drive, and three times as many are caught driving without paying attention. Every six months, they also cause an accident. In fact, one out of every twenty drivers often drives without insurance. So, it's not too surprising that one in ten drivers have been in accidents with drivers who didn't have insurance. What should you do if you get into an accident with one?
You probably won't know that the other driver doesn't have insurance at the time of the accident, so you'll have to act normally. Write down the make, model, and registration number of the other car. Also write down the other driver's name and address, but it may be unlikely that he will give you his correct information. Still, write down everything the other driver says. If you don't have this information, you won't have a chance of getting any of your money back.
Write down what happened and how the other car was damaged. Remember to write down as many details as you can about the road lines, road signs, weather, and whether or not the other car's lights were on. Then, if you're lucky enough to have an impartial witness, make sure you have all of their contact information. And if you have a camera in your car, take a lot of pictures. Try to get one where the other driver is clear. That could be a good one for the police!
If you have a comprehensive policy, your insurance company will pay to fix your car, but you could lose your no-claims discount if you don't pay to protect it. But there's also the matter of your excess payment, which is the first part of the repair cost you have to pay. You'll have to pay that unless you have a policy that covers you even if the other driver doesn't have insurance.
Those of you who only have third-party car insurance are in for a rough time. Your insurance company won't pay for your repairs, and since the other driver doesn't have insurance, you won't get any money from him unless you can find him and win a lawsuit against him. Even then, it's not a sure thing that he'll pay up. The only sure thing you can do is file a claim for compensation with the Motor Insurers' Bureau, but you'll have to pay the first GBP300 of the claim yourself.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau says that you must get the licence plate number of the other driver and report the accident to the police first. Always ask the police for a copy of their accident report, because the Bureau is likely to want to see it. You can call the Bureau at 01908 671681 or send them an email at [email protected].
At the moment, UK law is being changed to make it harder for people to drive without insurance. Not before time. Anyone who owns a car that isn't insured can now be fined a fixed GBP100 and have their car taken away and crushed. At the moment, the average fine for driving without insurance is just £170, which isn't much of a punishment when you consider how much car insurance costs. It's much more likely that he'll lose the car and have to pay a GBP100 fine. Let's hope the courts fully carry out the harsh punishment!
Recently, a police spokesman said, "People who don't have insurance often break other driving laws, like not having a licence or a MOT certificate. We are doing everything we can to get these illegal and dangerous drivers off the roads ".
We say, blues and twos, go for it!
