Over 1 million people have driven without insurance

New research published today from Sainsbury's car insurance has exposed that 1.15 million people* have driven a car in the last 12 months without having insurance.

The report found that nearly 40% of those people were aged 17-24 and a further 22% aged 25-34.

Of those surveyed the two main reasons for driving without insurance were cited as motorists believing that they could not afford it (19%); and, because they did not realise they had to have it (also 19%).

13% of those questioned said they forgot to purchase their car insurance while the same amount said they were too busy to arrange cover for their car.

The company highlighted how motor insurance is a legal requirement and failure to have adequate cover could include heavy fines; a driving ban; and having your vehicle crushed.

* The consumer omnibus research was conducted by GfK NOP. 963 people were interviewed between 2nd and 4th November 2007.