We all forget important things from time to time and when you’re always on the go, it can be hard to keep track of your insurance policies. Unfortunately if you miss a payment or forget to renew your insurance altogether, there can be a range of consequences, some of which can be severe.
To help you make sense of why having the right insurance in place is so important, we’ve put together a handy guide on the risks associated with driving uninsured.
Is driving without insurance against the law?
The easy answer to that question is yes. Under the Insurance Act 2015, you have to have at least Third Party Only (TPO) Social Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) insurance in place, even if you’re only driving for a short amount of time.
Is tax affected by insurance?
Your insurance and your road tax are completely separate, but they do affect each other. If you forget to pay your road tax, any insurance you have in place will most likely be void — so if you’re unsure when your tax expires, it’s a good idea to check as soon as possible. You can perform a quick check on the Government’s ‘Check Vehicle Tax’ page — all you need to do is enter your number plate.
What will happen if I’m caught driving without insurance?
Should you be found driving without insurance, you could face a fine, points on your licence and, in some cases, you may even have your vehicle seized by the police. It’s always a good idea to check your policy if you’re at all unsure over your expiry dates. If you’re a Zego customer, you can quickly and easily check whether you’re covered by logging into your account on the Zego app.
When is it acceptable to have no insurance in place?
If you’re using your vehicle, you will need insurance in place. If however, you don’t intend to use your vehicle, then there’s no need to have insurance. You will however have to declare it off the road, otherwise there is an automatic fine of £80. This can be done by obtaining a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) via the Government site.
What happens to my licence if I’m caught driving without insurance?
The fact is that you risk losing your licence if you’re caught driving uninsured. The police will impose a fixed penalty on you and you’ll also get penalty points added to your licence. Should the case end up in court, you could be faced with an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving altogether. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the police have the power to seize and even destroy vehicles being driven uninsured. The bottom line? It’s simply not worth the risk.
How do I know which insurance to get?
If you’re using your vehicle for work, you will need additional insurance. No-matter if you’re carrying pizzas, passengers or parcels, it’s a legal requirement that you’re covered. It’s important to remember that using your vehicle for work requires additional insurance and that the policy you take out will not replace your existing cover.
At Zego, we understand that insurance can be very confusing and it can be very difficult to find the time to sort out your policy. That’s why we’ve made it more straightforward than ever to take out insurance with us, so that you can get the cover you want as quickly and easily as possible.
Just fill in your details using the form below to get started.