Getting Cover against Uninsured Motorists
It's unfortunate that getting cover against uninsured motorists is becoming more and more prevalent for drivers in the United Kingdom. However, when one looks at the statistics for drivers who are generally involved in car accidents the necessity for this kind of insurance becomes apparent. It is illegal to take a car on the road in Great Britain without, at the very least, a Third Party policy which protects the driver of any other vehicle who you cause damage to in case of an accident. Though the vast majority of drivers are insured, there are still some irresponsible motorists out there who drive without it and if they involve you in an accident it can be a highly stressful and worrying time.
The unfortunate truth is that these uninsured motorists are much more likely to get into accidents than those with insurance. Statistics show that someone who drives without insurance is also ten times more likely to drink drive than an insured driver and much more likely to be driving an unsafe vehicle. So, it is worth your while to, at least, look into what options there are available to you if you have the misfortune to meet with an uninsured motorist on the road.
Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
The best type of insurance for any motorist to have is a fully Comprehensive policy. Most Comprehensive policies will not just cover you for accidents of your own causing, fire and theft but will also cover you in case the motorist who damaged your vehicle is not properly insured. If, however, you only have a Third Party or a Third Party, Fire and Theft policy you will need to seek a payout from the Motor Insurance Bureau's U.K. Guarantee Fund if an uninsured driver causes damage to your vehicle.
Unfortunately, this is not always easy. The Guarantee Fund will usually ask for full details of the motorist who crashed into you and proof that they were not legally insured. If the driver has given you fake details or refused to give you details at all, this might not be viable. Also, if someone has damaged your vehicle while driving a stolen car, there is a good chance they will not have stopped at all, making reporting them to the Guarantee Fund impossible.
New Features
Luckily, insurance companies have begun introducing new features on policies which can help safe motorists deal with being hit by an uninsured driver. Uninsured Driver Cover can now be bought from many U.K. insurers either as its own policy or as a rider on an existing Third Party, Fire and Theft policy. The details of this policy vary from insurer to insurer and you will want to know exactly how it works before purchasing the cover.
Some companies will allow you to claim on it without losing your No Claims discount, while some will not. Also, find out exactly what you need to apply for a payout. Many companies will ask for the same level of detail about the other driver as the Guarantee Fund, while others will simply require a license plate number from the offending vehicle. Shop around and find a company with an offer you think is fair.
It is reassuring to know that most drivers in Great Britain are safe and responsible on the road. There are, however, still a few who are not and, if you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident with one, you might find yourself paying for their mistakes. Getting cover against uninsured motorists is a good way to safeguard against this eventuality.