Car insurers tougher on mobile phone offenders

16 May 2008

Car insurers penalising mobile phone offenders with higher premiums

New data published this week has shown that motor insurers are increasing the cost of insurance policies for those drivers who have been convicted of using their mobile phone whilst driving.

The Automobile Association (AA) discovered that motorists are paying out an extra £5.4 million each year on their motor insurance policies on top of forking out the fixed £60 penalty charge. Some insurers have increased their premiums by as much as 18.1 per cent to reflect the higher risk.

AA Insurance surveyed eight insurers and found that one insurer refused to provide a quote for just a single mobile phone offence while the remaining seven companies provided motor insurance quotes between 4.2 per cent and 18.1 per cent more expensive than a quote for a driver without the offence.

The research also showed that these percentage increases result in offending motorists paying £40 more a year for their insurance premiums, and over £100 extra during the three year offence period.

As well as facing higher insurance premiums, three points on their driving licence and the £60 fixed penalty charge, convicted drivers also face being charged with careless driving. This, if coupled with a mobile phone offence, could lead to a driving ban.

Simon Douglas, director of AA insurance said: “Driving whilst using a hand-held mobile phone places you at greater risk of having an accident – it slows reactions and you are less able to control the car. Insurance companies quite rightly take such offences seriously.

“Many offenders are not aware of the premium rise and we hope that raising awareness of this extra cost will help people to think twice about chatting on a hand-held phone when driving.

Mr Douglas went on to warn about how the police can investigate whether or not you were on your phone when you were involved in a motor accident.

“In the event of an accident, police now routinely check mobile phone records to find out whether use of a phone was a contributory cause. Don’t even think about not telling your insurer.

“When you take out or renew your cover, you will be asked if you have incurred any endorsements on your licence. If you’re not truthful you could compromise your insurance cover,” he added.