Car Insurance UK

Most of the industrially developed countries of the world require privately owned vehicles traveling along public roadways to be covered by car insurance of one kind or another. The United Kingdom (UK) is no exception.

To meet government standards for car insurance UK drivers must carry Third Party Insurance. This coverage is a liability policy that is required on all vehicles that are driven on public roadways or parked on public property.

In establishing this law for car insurance UK lawmakers enacted the Road Traffic Act, last modified in 1991. The insurance provides liability coverage in case of property damage done to another vehicle or other property and to anyone injured in such an event.

To prove coverage under car insurance UK motorists must display a vehicle excise duty disc whenever the vehicle is parked or driven on public property. While the disc is not the insurance policy itself, proof of insurance is required when the disc is purchased. Therefore, it is understood that anyone displaying a disc does indeed have insurance coverage in effect.

As part of their duties to enforce the law requiring car insurance UK police personnel and other persons of similar authority can require proof of insurance coverage. In such an event, the driver is required to produce documentation at the time the request is made.

If a driver cannot produce proof of car insurance UK policy calls for the issuance of a citation to the driver. Once cited, the driver has as much as seven days to provide proof of insurance coverage to any police station. Once proven, the citation is nullified and no fine or penalty is assessed.

In an effort to keep track of all vehicles carrying car insurance UK officials can turn to the Motor Insurance Database for details. The database is maintained by the Motor Insurers Bureau.