Warning !!
New fines for letting car insurance lapse
Vehicles must always be insured unless the car is kept off road.
The new continuous insurance enforcement rule which starts from spring 2011 covers all cars, bikes & motor homes. All vehicles must be insured, even if no one drives the car.
Be aware of your road tax lapsing while you are away from home on holiday in hospital or any other reason.
The only way out is to apply for a statutory off road notification known as a
SORN declaration, this is used as a way of declaring the car is not in use. The owner of the vehicle will receive enforcement action against the if the vehicle has not got a
SORN declaration.
The aim is to crack down on 2milion uninsured drivers by matching a database of cars to insured drivers. If there's no match, it'll warn people, then fine them, you have been warned so don’t get caught out it will cost you a lot of money.
Is your driving licence valid?
Nearly million people carry an expired Photo Card Driving Licence, and run the risk of a £1,000 fine if you drive without renewing it.
The Photo card licences are the ones that replaced the old paper driving licences back in 1998. The new Photo Card Licences must be replaced every ten years, and unfortunately nearly two million Photo Card Licences are now out of date, as of July 2011, according to the DVLA. This means around a third of Photo Card Licence holders are carrying an expired card.
If you only have a paper licence ...
No new Paper Licences are being issued, But if you have one these generally don't expire until you're 70, which means you don't need to do anything until you are 70, unless your address or personal details change. However, by the year 2033 all licences must be in the new Photo Card Licence format; you will receive reminders to update it closer to the time from the DVLA.
The good thing about reaching 70 is that there's no fee to renew your licence, and you will then get a Photo Card Licence. If you want to upgrade before then, you can apply to change your paper licence for a Photo Card Licence, but remember it will cost you £20 to do it and you will need to show extra ID
Car Insurance:
In the current financial climate, everyone’s looking to save money. So when your car insurance is due for renewal, it’s a good time to check if there’s a better deal available for you.
It could be easier than you think to save money on your car insurance and by shopping around you can find the right cover for you.
Here are a few simple steps that you can take to lower your car insurance quote.
1. Protect your car
If possible, park in a garage or on a driveway. Installing an alarm and immobiliser can also reduce premiums.
2. Voluntary excess
Many insurers allow you to specify the amount of excess you would be prepared to pay in order to lower your premium. It is very important that you evaluate which is the most realistic for your personal situation. So decide if you prefer to pay a little extra on your premium or risk having to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim
3. Keep an accurate record of mileage
When getting a quote, you will be asked to provide an estimated mileage for the year. If you overestimate you could end up paying an unnecessarily high premium; underestimate, and it could cost you more if you claim
4. Limit additional drivers
The more drivers you add, the higher the risk. So think carefully before adding extra drivers
5. Protect your No Claims
With a full No Claims bonus you could maximise the discount on your annual premium – so it’s worth protecting
Car Insurance Checklist
Before getting a quote, make sure you have the following information:
Make of car
Model of car
Registration Number of car,
Your 'No Claims Discount' details
What type of cover you require
Where the vehicle will be stored
Your current motor renewal quote - Excess £ and Quote
Links to car insurance company's
We are specialists in the niche car insurance market offering both Gap Insurance and Used Car Warranties online through our dedicated sites: we design bespoke policies for the discriminating online buyer who is looking for quality, value, protection and service.
All our Insurance products are unique and have been designed by us with a core focus on consumer needs. They provide the widest possible choice, the most comprehensive cover and the simplest yet informative websites from which to purchase. All policies are delivered electronically at the most competitive premiums.
ECar provides 100% web-based insurance where customers buy, amend and renew policies online. All policies are underwritten by ecarinsurance.co.uk's own insurance company Southern Rock,which means, along with operating online, premiums are highly competitive. The policies include breakdown assistance (comprehensive only), legal cover and European driving.
Aviva is the largest insurance services provider in the UK. Save up to 20% on comprehensive car insurance online. Named drivers can earn their own No Claims Discount (NCD) with Aviva, up to 70% discount when they take out a policy with Aviva, if you haven’t made a claim for 5 years. Great deals for more experienced drivers. Great deals for couples who live together. Lower premiums for those who drive fewer miles. Keep your NCD safe with the Aviva uninsured driver promise. Free 24/7 claims helpline. Also Aviva are offering new customers a great deal – 2 months free car insurance
RAC offer simple, comprehensive car insurance which includes windscreen, audio equipment, personal belongings cover and a Courtesy Car as standard.Get 50% off your breakdown (excluding Roadside) when you buy RAC Car Insurance. Benefits of RAC car insurance include: Repairs Use a member from the RAC approved network for repairs and get a three year guarantee on any work completed. Windscreen replacement and repair. Personal belongings cover up to £150. Personal injury cover for you and your partner of up to £2,500 per person, per claim. Medical expenses up to £100 for each person following an accident. Audio equipment cover up to £500 for non-manufacturer-fitted equipment and unlimited for manufacturer-fitted equipment. New car replacement If your car is less than 12 months old and is seriously damaged RAC will replace it with a new car of the same make, model and specification. A courtesy car when you use one of RAC’s approved repairers.
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