New data shows 400,000 drivers have been caught driving without insurance over the past four years.
iCompario submitted a Freedom of Information request to the DVSA and to every regional police force in the UK to determine how many motorists have been convicted of driving without insurance since the beginning of 2019.
The data also showed that in some areas like Ilford in East London, one in 50 licence holders have been caught driving without insurance in the past four years.
Bradford in West Yorkshire (one in 57), and Romford in East London (one in 64) are also described as ‘no insurance conviction hotspots’.
With figures from the Association of British Insurers showing that the average insurance cost in the UK is now £561 – up 61% in the last year – iCompario fears that more Brits might be tempted to risk driving uninsured to cut down on costs.
The organisation points to a survey of 1,600 UK drivers, included in the study, which reveals that roughly a quarter (24%) would consider driving without insurance due to financial concerns and the rise in cover prices.
Andrew Davies, from iCompario, said: “The fact that hundreds of thousands of drivers are risking a criminal record, penalty points, and financial strife for themselves and anyone they could potentially be involved in an accident with, is deeply alarming.
“Rising car insurance costs coupled with rising living costs across the board are a potential worry, as it would be very problematic if the rate of uninsured drivers on UK roads were to increase in the coming months and years.”
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