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Original poster

Are you allowed not to insure your car?

53 replies

garlictwist · 15/06/2023 05:31

My car insurance is up for renewal and I just don't have the money.

Due to an injury I am not driving at the moment. Is it ok to let the insurance lapse and then reinsure when I can afford it? (It goes without saying I would not drive it whilst uninsured).

It's fully taxed for the year and would just be parked on the street outside my house (no driveway). I guess the issue would be if someone broke in or stole it.

OP posts:
TodayInahurry · 15/06/2023 05:33

Not sure if you can park an uninsured and untaxed car on the road?

iloveallcats3 · 15/06/2023 05:33

I believe you must declare you car SORN if you want to do this. Otherwise you need insurance.

thanksroyalmaill · 15/06/2023 05:34

Don’t you need to register it as SORN?

thanksroyalmaill · 15/06/2023 05:36

I’ve just looked this up for you. Make a SORN. You can get a refund of the tax paid and can safely not insure it.

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn

You can’t not insure it otherwise

Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN)

Register your vehicle as off the road - you will not need to pay vehicle tax until you put it on the road again

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn

thanksroyalmaill · 15/06/2023 05:37

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

Uninsured vehicles

You must have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads and in public places.
You do not need to insure your vehicle if it is kept off the road and declared as off the road (SORN). This rule is called ‘continuous insurance enforcement’.

Vehicle insurance

Rules on what motor insurance you need, what to do if you're in an accident, insurance for driving abroad, penalties for uninsured vehicles and drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/uninsured-vehicles

Augend23 · 15/06/2023 05:44

If you SORN it, it can't be parked out on the street - you'd have to find some private land to store it on.

listsandbudgets · 15/06/2023 05:55

You can't leave it on the street because as others have said it has to be off road to.declare SORN

Along woth risk of it not being stolen a car.that never moves and permanently takes a car space is likely to eventually be reported as abandoned and as soon as the police realise.its not insured it could be towed - if you're lucky to a compound where it will be kept.securely and you'll have to pay to get it back (.and they won't release without evidence of insurance, road tax and ownership) or if you're unlucky it will be disposed of ( which it would be anyway if you don't collect within a certain time period)

Also risk on a cold rainy day you may be tempted to.drive if its.right there in front if your house.

Sorry know its not answer you wanted. Could you sale it, bank money in interest savings then buy another car when you're ready?

Oysterbabe · 15/06/2023 06:00

If it's on a public road, even if not in use, it must be insured. If a passing police car with ANPR picks it up they'll tow it.

pickledandpuzzled · 15/06/2023 06:17

Can you get 3rd party?

Speak to the insurer and ask what's the cheapest policy possible. Maybe you can pay for a month of that to tide you over.

tanstaafl · 15/06/2023 06:19

Does ‘off the road’ in the DVLA site actually mean physically or does it mean ‘not being driven’.
I read it as the latter, so long as you cover that with a SORN notification.

Whatthediddlyfeck · 15/06/2023 06:23

tanstaafl · 15/06/2023 06:19

Does ‘off the road’ in the DVLA site actually mean physically or does it mean ‘not being driven’.
I read it as the latter, so long as you cover that with a SORN notification.

It means literally off the public road. Technically the wheels must not touch the roadway (now waiting for a pedant to ask about it bein on bricks rather than wheels🙄)

onlythe · 15/06/2023 06:24

Are you shopping around or just going by your current insurers renewal letter? If you do want to drive soon and will be healed have a shop around as it can make quite a difference to switch.

Mommasgotabrandnewbag · 15/06/2023 06:24

tanstaafl · 15/06/2023 06:19

Does ‘off the road’ in the DVLA site actually mean physically or does it mean ‘not being driven’.
I read it as the latter, so long as you cover that with a SORN notification.

It means physically not on the road. Not just 'not being driven'

If you SORN and it's on the road and the police find it or someone reports it you may lose the car and/or get fined/prosecuted.

Gimmethemoney · 15/06/2023 06:27

Third party insurance monthly not a feasible option?

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 15/06/2023 06:41

Also if not insured your have to start your no claims again.

User16387640 · 15/06/2023 06:45

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 15/06/2023 06:41

Also if not insured your have to start your no claims again.

I think it is two years of no insurance before it lapses

rosie1959 · 15/06/2023 06:45

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 15/06/2023 06:41

Also if not insured your have to start your no claims again.

This is incorrect NCB usually lasts 2 years even if you are not drivingn

Ahrightsoted · 15/06/2023 06:46

Is it possible to pay monthly? That's what I do as I've never been able to pay in one go. It's slightly dearer but I pay about £30 a month

User16387640 · 15/06/2023 06:48

Any chance of getting it parked on private land like a workplace carpark or relatives house while it is SORNed, other people can often drive cars not belonging to them on their insurance 3rd party, DH and I can.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 15/06/2023 06:48

tanstaafl · 15/06/2023 06:19

Does ‘off the road’ in the DVLA site actually mean physically or does it mean ‘not being driven’.
I read it as the latter, so long as you cover that with a SORN notification.

Off the road means just that, off the public highway. It can’t be driven or parked on the road. It should be parked on your drive, garage or other private land. If you really have no where to keep it op
I’d insure it for a month OP, it really isn’t worth the hassle of not insuring it.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 15/06/2023 07:07

Driving of other vehicles on your insurance. Don’t assume you’re covered. It used to be standard on Comprehensive cover, but nowadays it depends on your policy and if the cover of your policy does allow it is third party only.
I’m the named driver on my husbands car insurance, he is the main driver, he is covered to drive our daughters car, with her permission for example but I’m not. Always best to check.

loislovesstewie · 15/06/2023 07:10

Your car needs to be physically off the road, ie in a garage or on a private driveway. If it's stored in a private storage facility that would be OK but clearly to move it, it would have to be insured.

HappyintheHills · 15/06/2023 07:12

The car must have insurance even if the driver is covered by their own comprehensive policy.

rwalker · 15/06/2023 07:15

It’s on the rd still could be involved in an accident
Bit extreme but someone could run into it and push it into another

wildfirewonder · 15/06/2023 07:17

tanstaafl · 15/06/2023 06:19

Does ‘off the road’ in the DVLA site actually mean physically or does it mean ‘not being driven’.
I read it as the latter, so long as you cover that with a SORN notification.

It means 'off the road' meaning on private land. You can't leave an uninsured vehicle on the highway.