Are you prepared to break the law to save on motoring?

A worrying eight per cent of motorists in this country have been forced to quit driving through the increasing cost of motoring and millions of others fear the worse this year if driving becomes even more expensive, according to a recent insurance company census poll. The report shows that one in ten say they will use the car less this year if the associated costs continue to rise or, would look to downsize to a smaller, more efficient car.

No less than 44% of respondents admitted to not enjoying driving, compared to those in previous times and this was largely because of the cost of motoring. This is striking in comparison to last year's census figures, when price had less impact and has meant a an increase of 6% year on year.

One of the questions asked if the opinion would change if petrol prices rose to £1.50-£1.60 per litre. Thirteen per cent said they would seriously consider driving less or even stop driving. A further twelve per cent would do the same should there be an increase between £2.01 and £2.20.

A rise of around seventeen per cent in car insurance premiums has taken its toll and people are without doubt now looking for lower premium cars to help fight the cost of this legal requirement. With such increases in insurance, is there any wonder why more and more people are cutting corners and looking to break the law by failing to renew their insurance? This is going to have more of an impact on hit and runs, and on innocent people who are affected by another driver who has no insurance.

On a recent article, MPs have demanded that car insurers end "sharp practices" which have pushed up the cost of motor cover. A cross-party Transport Committee slammed insurers' practice of cashing in on accident victims by earning large referral fees from personal injury lawyers and others.  

In a different report published, the committee blames the spiraling cost of motor insurance on "market dysfunction". In particular, it pinpoints the escalation of uncontested claims for whiplash injury. This caused a different line of questioning to ask if GPs had found any change in pattern regarding false claims. The feedback showed that GPs did see a sharp rise in patients attempting to make fraudulent claims for car accident injuries in the last two years.

Even more shockingly, 53 per cent of GPs said they have been contacted in the last year by claims companies asking to buy patient details while nine out of 10 say that have seen a patient who was completely making up an injury.

Added: 22 January 2012

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