Drivers given motor insurance warning

Thousands of motorists are putting their motor insurance cover at risk and driving illegally by knowingly giving false information or failing to disclose important facts, such as motoring convictions, the ABI has warned.

Responding to its survey of 2,600 adult motorists, published today, the ABI said:

• Over half (53%) think it is acceptable or borderline behaviour for an older, lower-risk person to insure a vehicle in their name when a younger higher-risk driver is the actual main driver (known as 'fronting').
• One in five drivers would not rule out exaggerating the number of years since they last claimed.
• 12% might be tempted not to disclose relevant motoring convictions.
• One in ten would not rule out changing details, such as their age, address or occupation, in order to get cheaper car insurance.

The ABI’s director of general insurance and health, Nick Starling, said: “Trying to deceive your insurer is a false economy that will cost you dear.

"Of course everyone wants to get the best motor insurance deal, but being less than truthful is not the way to do it.

"Not being honest with your insurer could lead not only to you driving illegally, but to financially crippling bills if involved in an accident, harder to obtain and more expensive future insurance, and difficulties in accessing other financial products."