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Car insurance fraudsters on the decrease

The number of uninsured motorists on British roads has fallen by 20% over the last year, according to new research.

Figures released by Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) show that the number of uninsured drivers this year stands at 1.5 million, down from last year’s 1.8 million.

The areas with the highest concentration of uninsured motorists include BD3, Bradford, West Yorkshire, M12, Greater Manchester and B10 and B12 in Birmingham. With around one in 10 motorists driving without insurance, the Metropolitan area had the highest number of uninsured drivers.

The highest percentage of uninsured drivers ever recorded by MIB since it started collecting information in 1997 was in Barkerend in Bradford, West Gorton in Manchester and Small Heath in Birmingham, in descending order.

On average, a total of 160 people are killed by uninsured drivers each year in the UK, and another 23,000 people are injured. Insurers are forced to foot an annual bill of around £500 million, which they say adds around £30 to policy costs for insured motorists.

Talking about the findings, MIB Chief Executive Ashton West said that while it is understand that finances of most families are under a lot of strain in these tough times, car insurance is a legal requirement. Even though the number of new claims is falling, the cost to industry, and “honest motorist”, is still too high.

Research results published by AA earlier in the week suggested that motor insurance fraud is continuing to push insurance premiums higher, which have increased by record-high 11% over the last three years.

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• Bill39 says:

  I agree with the requirement that every driver should have proper insurance before going on the roads and find it absolutely deplorable that each year 160 people are killed and another 23,000 injured by these criminals.
  What I do find questionable is the statement that these deaths and injuries caused by uninsured drivers is supposed to add £30 to each other individual insured motorist.
  How do the insurance companies then explain that car premiums have risen this year alone by an average of more than 30% to put the average premium above the £800 mark?. Are they taking us for a ride?
  Bill

• #1 - Posted on: 24th July 2010 - 14:31pm

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