Drivers face insurance price hike
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New laws aimed at curbing dangerous driving could add almost £500 a year to the insurance costs of drivers caught breaking speed limits. Leading insurers raise premiums by up to 300 per cent for drivers with six points on their licences, according to the price comparison service Insuresupermarket.
The warning follows the publication of the Government's latest Road Safety Bill, which proposes that drivers caught speeding at 45mph in a 30mph zone should have six points added to their licence, rather than the standard three-point penalty currently imposed.
"Our research shows that premiums could increase by as much as £476 after one six-point speeding offence," said Richard Mason, a director of Insuresupermarket. "With the old system, most insurers turn a blind eye to three points on your licence, but with six points for a first offence, insurers will hike premiums dramatically."
At Hastings Direct, the most expensive insurer for speeding drivers in the company's survey, a driver paying £240 a year for cover would face an increase in premiums to £717 after getting their first six- point penalty.
The additional premiums would be payable for up to five years at most insurers. Although drivers' licences are cleared three years after the offence is committed, penalty points must be declared to insurers for five years.
Under the new laws, motorists could lose their licences after two speeding offences, which would subsequently cost drivers even more in insurance premiums. The same motorist at Hastings, for example, would pay £856 for insurance following a 12-month ban.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments