Tougher Action By Insurers Backed

• News
• Published: 25 Nov 2009 in Motoring and Car Insurance

A new poll indicates that as many as 72% of motorists want car insurance firms to be allowed to check licences for relevant convictions or endorsements.

The same number named motorists using mobile phones while driving as those most likely to cause an accident, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) survey revealed.

It listed young male motorists and uninsured drivers as the second and third categories those surveyed thought were likely to cause accidents

A third of women said their biggest worry while driving was the risk of getting involved in a staged accident. The main worry for men (30%) is their car getting attacked by vandals.

Many of the 2,000 drivers polled supported tougher action by insurers to pull up those who lie about or hide information when taking out insurance.

Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "We rely on people being honest, but those who conceal motoring offences not only push up the cost of insurance for everyone, but also run the risk of having any claim rejected.

"To protect honest customers, insurers are currently discussing with Government whether they would be able to check for relevant motoring convictions and endorsements."