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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drive with no insurance

171 replies

Alwaystired101 · 01/06/2025 23:29

Unable to afford car insurance, I've tried to get an extension told no. No family or friends no access to credit etc
I've spent around 6 hours on phone trying to sort out uc payments and I've sent in evidence of my mums death certificate that the money I had from her accounts when deceased went straight to funeral home and how I still owe money on it etc.
I have school run to do we live far away so walking not option and I have bowel issues.
No money for taxi etc so I've informed school and told that it's failure.to provide education will be reported to social if i.do not take To school.
I suffer with anxiety and the thought of breaking the law makes.me.sick and also the thought of being reported to social also makes.me.sick.

OP posts:
hareclive · 02/06/2025 12:24

Mashbutterfly · 02/06/2025 12:11

That's kind but not the answer. Social Care involvement is needed here. Money is a sticking plaster.

Show quote history

yes, and sometimes we need a bloody sticking plaster. she can still contact SS for support

no one would be forced to contribute. id happily donate and take the risk of being scammed. I know how stressful and defeating it is being this skint

Locutus2000 · 02/06/2025 12:24

PeapodMcgee · 02/06/2025 11:51

My tiny car costs £10 a month to insure, or isn't there a closer school?

My little Aygo was less than £100 for the year this time round!

Fastingandhungry · 02/06/2025 12:22

Is there any school friend parents who could assist for a while? I’d help in this situation if asked.

Also did you auto renew, that is expensive.

Nominative · 02/06/2025 12:19

Have you applied to the council for free home to school transport?

PluckyBamboo · 02/06/2025 12:17

If you can't afford insurance you definitely can't afford to have your car impounded and pay the pretty large court fine on top of that when The Police spot you.

Richiewoo · 02/06/2025 12:14

Absolutely not.

Original poster
Alwaystired101 · 02/06/2025 12:14

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 12:02

If she's driving a people carrier, she must down size. It could be sorted in an afternoon.
Anyway, it simply isn't possible that the nearest Primary is a 50 minute round trip.
I've lived in rural hamlets without one, but always one in the next village.

Show quote history

Hi I'm not driving a people carrier, or a fancy car I have a almost 20 year old corsa 1.2 engine.
The school was within 5 mins of where I used to live, I moved home after husband died as I needed to reduce rent cost.
I didn't move schools as I worked right next to school and my mum also lived right by there so there was no point disrupting school when I was there anyway, then with my mum sick I would be there anyway.
I am on a waiting list for a nearer school for the kids which I sorted around 2 months ago.

OP posts:
Mashbutterfly · 02/06/2025 12:11

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

That's kind but not the answer. Social Care involvement is needed here. Money is a sticking plaster.

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 12:10

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Do you want everyone to come begging on here? Not every crisis in a person's life should be paid for by someone else.

In fact, anyone coming to post similar to the OP, should shut down their PMs to show they're not expecting donations.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 02/06/2025 12:10

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

No of course they wouldn't.

MNHQ have spent literally years trying to make MNetters understand that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are, and that they have no way of knowing if what they're saying is true.

If I were you I'd report your post, even though you made it in good faith.

PeapodMcgee · 02/06/2025 12:10

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

This isn't allowed, obviously.

Mashbutterfly · 02/06/2025 12:09

Contact social services yourself and explain your issue. I'm assuming you also couldn't get children to medical appointments? Can you afford good food etc?

In all reality if you can only meet your child's needs by breaking the law then you need social care support. It is never frowned upon to ask for help properly.

Feathers72829292 · 02/06/2025 12:09

Sorry for your loss and that you are having a tough time currently.

Are you able to elaborate on why you can’t insure currently? You mentioned you paid monthly before, are you not able to just continue to do this? Have you had a claim that has shot the premium up past what’s affordable? If not, can you sell the car and buy something cheaper that is also in a cheaper insurance group that you can use the excess from the sale to pay for? Sorry for all the questions, not digging for holes in your story or anything just want to understand so people are able to give better advice x

cherrycherrypickin · 02/06/2025 12:08

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 12:05

There's two others, best present yourself in person to both.
Local Council Office and Citizens advice.
Neither will help with motor insurance, but they may have other solutions, as it's children's education.

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The OP is too unwell to travel on public transport and can't drive obviously

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 12:05

TwattyMcFuckFace · 02/06/2025 11:59

This is what I was thinking.

There's only two ways to solve this problem.

  1. Someone gives the OP some money.
  2. SS get involved and give some support.
Show quote history

There's two others, best present yourself in person to both.
Local Council Office and Citizens advice.
Neither will help with motor insurance, but they may have other solutions, as it's children's education.

hareclive · 02/06/2025 12:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 12:02

flowerpink · 02/06/2025 11:50

Agreed. my insurance is around £250 for the year and not been driving half as long as OP. Have a play around with it, do you have additional drivers on?
Is there anyone you know at the school that could give your kids a lift until you can sort something?

Show quote history

If she's driving a people carrier, she must down size. It could be sorted in an afternoon.
Anyway, it simply isn't possible that the nearest Primary is a 50 minute round trip.
I've lived in rural hamlets without one, but always one in the next village.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 02/06/2025 11:59

cherrycherrypickin · 02/06/2025 11:56

OP you sound as though you have a lot on your plate. Definitely don't drive, but if the school are threatening to report you then this might actually not be a bad thing. You sound like you could do with some support and perhaps SS can help you get the assistance you need.

This is what I was thinking.

There's only two ways to solve this problem.

  1. Someone gives the OP some money.
  2. SS get involved and give some support.
cherrycherrypickin · 02/06/2025 11:56

OP you sound as though you have a lot on your plate. Definitely don't drive, but if the school are threatening to report you then this might actually not be a bad thing. You sound like you could do with some support and perhaps SS can help you get the assistance you need.

PeapodMcgee · 02/06/2025 11:51

My tiny car costs £10 a month to insure, or isn't there a closer school?

flowerpink · 02/06/2025 11:50

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 11:44

£840 pa, is high insurance. You have 30 years of clean driving, so it suggests you're driving a car in a high insurance group.
If so, you need to change the car. Low tax and insurance is what you need.

Agreed. my insurance is around £250 for the year and not been driving half as long as OP. Have a play around with it, do you have additional drivers on?
Is there anyone you know at the school that could give your kids a lift until you can sort something?

Pandasandelephants · 02/06/2025 11:49

Alwaystired101 · 02/06/2025 11:38

No getting buses there would not be an option nor would finding out if there's free buss passes as I wouldn't be able to sit on public transport for 2 or 3 hours with how much I leak down there and too young to go alone.
My husband, father of all children died almost 4 years ago x

Show quote history

You obviously need to change schools then. It's not normal that there isn't a primary school nearby and the closest would need 2-3h on the buses. It all sounds very hard but there are solutions there. You just don't seem to be willing to hear them.

by the sound of it you cannot meet your DC's needs so SS involvement may not be a bad idea. We have SS support (all DC have complex SN). It's not all about catching you out but about putting support in place. I would make a self referral to the local MASH team to get support.

PiggyPigalle · 02/06/2025 11:44

£840 pa, is high insurance. You have 30 years of clean driving, so it suggests you're driving a car in a high insurance group.
If so, you need to change the car. Low tax and insurance is what you need.

Renabrook · 02/06/2025 11:43

It's illegal and what if you hit somome else?

TheFlis · 02/06/2025 11:42

£70 a month seems incredibly high for someone who has been driving a long time, mine is only £150 a year including breakdown cover! Have you checked the price comparison sites etc for a better deal?