Law Enforcement
Police Powers
Some motorists still think that if the police suspect a car is uninsured, that the driver will be issued with a HORT notice giving them 7 days to produce their insurance documents.
While this is true, most people do not realise that the Police also now have the power to seize and hold your vehicle UNTIL you produce a valid certificate of insurance, leaving you by the roadside without transport.
Understandably, there are a lot of complaints when this happens, sometimes to people who are actually insured perfectly legally, as unfortunately, like all systems, it is not fool proof. Occasional computer glitches, memory lapses, poor administration, all sorts of things can and do happen from time to time, which could end up with an insurance company failing to update the MID (Motor Insurance Database, see sidebar left), properly with your registration number.
Enforcement
If you've already read the "Road Traffic Act" page, you'll already know why car insurance is required, and why the Police enforce it, which they do very effectively with the modern technology they have at their disposal.
Traffic Police vehicles now have onboard registration recognition cameras linked to a computer in the dashboard. As cars move past the vehicle, their registration plates are automatically scanned and the details checked against the MID. If a vehicle registration number is not found on the database, the computer alerts the Traffic Officer, who will then pull you over and ask to see evidence of insurance. If you cannot produce any at this point, your vehicle will be impounded on the spot.
Driving other cars
Driving other people's vehicles on your own policy can also raise problems. As you've probably guessed, if the car itself is not insured, it will not be on the MID and the Police will pull you over. There are 2 problems with this. Firstly, some insurance policies that offer a DOC (driving other cars) extension, state in their wording, that they will not give you cover on someone else's vehicle, if that vehicle itself is not insured. Secondly, the Police cannot always tell from your policy details whether you have a DOC extension on your policy or not, and if there is any doubt, they will take the vehicle.
NB: It is a common belief that a fully comprehensive insurance policy always includes the DOC extension. This is not so, the DOC extension is not automatic and is available on 3rd party policies with some insurers, so if you believe you have this extension, check your policy thoroughly to make sure. Also, many vehicles such as vans and other commercial vehicles are covered on commercial vehicle insurance policies, and these NEVER have the DOC extension, even when fully comprehensive.
Getting your car back
To get your car back will cost a minimum £150 release fee, and it still won't be given back to you unless you can provide a valid certificate of insurance when you go to pick it up. You will also be prosecuted which will result in:
- a minimum fine of £200 (up to a max. of £5,000)
- a minimum of 6 penalty points and possible disqualification
And, if you fail to re-claim your vehicle within a set time limit, it will be crushed.
So, if you're tempted into saving a bit of money by skipping your insurance, it's best not to. For some hints and tips on how to make savings on your insurance, click here or talk to a professional insurance intermediary.