UK drivers warned of little-known insurance rule - ‘you’re driving illegally’
Drivers could be slapped with fines, penalty points or a driving ban due to a simple car insurance loophole.
Road users could be at risk of driving illegally due to a car insurance loophole many are unaware of. Experts at Tempcover have claimed road users are often getting behind the wheel of cars they are not insured on, despite the risks.
One of the biggest concerns is test drives, with harmless spins around the block likely to turn into a risky gamble. A new poll from Tempcover found that as many as two in five (37%) motorists who’ve privately test-driven a car believed that they were covered by the seller’s car insurance policy.
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The poll of over 2,000 individuals found that a whopping 40% were unaware that a test drive of any length without proper insurance was illegal.
Jake Lambert, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, explained: “Many drivers mistakenly assume they’re covered for a test drive when they’re buying privately. However, in reality, most modern annual insurance policies exclude ‘driving other cars cover’, meaning the vast majority of policies no longer include it by default.
“Sellers should always ask for proof of insurance and buyers have a responsibility to ensure they are properly covered - even for a quick 10 minutes round the block. A simple solution is a fully comprehensive, temporary car insurance policy, which can cover you for as little as an hour.”
According to the study, 28% of motorists were certain their fully comprehensive insurance would cover them for a test drive. But, many annual insurers moved away from including ‘driving other cars’ as a standard benefit in the early 2000s, meaning many are now no longer covered.
However, Tempcover data found some of the motorists who drive without insurance knew that it was against the rules. Despite this, 21% said they took a gamble as they only went on a short journey, with 12% adding that they really wanted to buy the car.
But Tempover has explained that ignoring the rule could backfire, with motorists likely to be slapped with hefty fines or even taken off the roads.
Motorists who are stopped on an illegal test drive without insurance could be hit with a £300 fine and six penalty points on their driving licence, but road users may be disqualified from driving if cases go to court.
