Done w/out insurance - 3 days out. Need advice!

[Johnny G Pipe]

Hi.

Anyone got out of an IN10, driving without insurance?

As a result of having 4 cars otr, and being incredibly busy at work as a junior Doc., I found myself with a producer (driving without seatbelt, middle of night, on way to A+E) and insurance that expired 3 whole days ago.

I have been given the f.p. of £200 and 6 points, which will probably cost me thousands in additional premiums over 5 years with an IN10 on my licence (particularly the Carrera 4). Of course I am also now 2 sp30's away from no licence at all.

My insurers (Adrian Flux) will not cover me retrospectively - I called them around 7 days after it expired, and they say the policy is cancelled after 5 days.

Is it worth going to court and asking them to have a little perspective (!) - this was clearly an honest mistake, and no-one has got hurt. My other line of defence is a small glitch in paperwork - the officer that stopped me described my Merc as manual, not auto. I don't have the producer anymore.

I don't deserve 6 points!!

TIA
Johnny

[Johnny G Pipe]

Blimey, haven't you lot got jobs to go to! Seriously, thanks guys for the replies. Pistonheads is a busier place than it used to be!

I wanted to get some sort of perspective on how going to court might go, and it sounds like a bad idea from quite a few informed-sounding posters. Sounds like I should roll over like a good boy...

My only lifeline appears to be trying to get some sort of proof that I would have been covered, as it was within five days of expiry: Flux won't actually give me a straight answer. I'm not hopeful. They've been pretty good, i.e. cheap, in the past btw, especially for modded cars.
You will have all noticed the insurance companies tendency in general to be quick to increase premiums for things like this, but a slight, err, reluctance to lower the premium for advanced motorists, etc. Hell, my road angel says '50% fewer road accidents' on the packet. Surely that's worth a discount!

I appreciate those who have concerns about the seatbelt thing. I understand perfectly that it is highly protective, even at low speeds. But why don't you try working 120 hours in a week, get woken up from a deep sleep in the wee small hours to the sound of a pager, and be expected to function normally immediately. Believe me, it doesn't always work like that.

I am also slightly intrigued by the purpose of enforcing an individual's seatbelt use. Surely, the risk is entirely to myself? Maybe I should drop in on the wpc when she lights up a cigarette, or goes horse riding, or rock climbing, and ask her to pay me a few grand?

Here's another thing: Surely an untaxed vehicle is also automatically not validly insured? How about IN10's for everyone who lets their Tax lapse for a day or two?

Finally, my reason for not renewing was simply that I hadn't opened my mail in a few days, and missed my urgent reminder. See above for excuses. I'd had an initial reminder, a month previously, and I knew it was due pretty soon. But Months have a habit of disappearing as soon as they have started, don't they? Just look at what happened to April.

Thanks again.
Johnny.

>> Edited by Johnny G Pipe on Thursday 28th April 13:32

[Johnny G Pipe]

MR2Mike said:

Ever thought about the people in the fire and paramedic services that have to scrape you off the windscreen afterwards? The huge hold ups inconviencing the general public and the police time involved in investigating a fatal accident? And how about the possibility of you living and the cost to the state of keeping you alive as a vegetable? Just a little thought would show that the seat belt policy is not just about your safety. FWIW I feel the same about smoking, but that's a whole different topic (and one widely covered on PH).

Yes, as I clearly said, I fully understand the implications; I always normally wear my seatbelt, but at this time I was just overworked and overtired.
(EDIT: and, fwiw, the journey was a slow half-a-mile float thru a deserted/traffic light infested town centre from one hospital to another)

The car is owned by me, insured by me, incidentally. The company I eventually renewed with refused to backdate.

Gargamel, do you have any more detail on your mate's story? It would be very helpful. Cheers.



>> Edited by Johnny G Pipe on Thursday 28th April 17:06

[Johnny G Pipe]

TheLemming said:

I very nearly lost the plot TOTALLY when I called them and was toold that not only would they not renew from the date cancelled (under a week) but then gave me a new quote of nearly twice what I was paying "as I had a pending IN10". Do whatever you can, DO NOT get an IN10 on your licence. Its extremely expensive. Driving without insurance is an absolute offence. The same as speeding - either you were or you werent. If you can claim any element of insurance cover from elsewhere, (other insured vehicles giving 3rd party) then give it a go. Perhaps an understanding officer at the desk when you deal with your producer (they may exist) will accept your previous note showing insurance up to the date, a new cover note commencing as soon as you can and third party cover from other policies...

I had exactly the same response:- 'phoned the ins co. for a little help, and ended up with the same b.s. about having an IN10 pending and therefore not actually being insurable with the same company anymore! As mentioned before, boy are they lightning quick to take an opportunity to raise yer premium.

Unfort. the documents were handed in on the producer weeks ago (I actually have only a week or so left to pay my f.p.)and the officer at the desk was was totally humourless and not for budging. Lucky me. I remember thinking at the time that they would probably let it slide..how completely wrong I was.

This has blown up in my face, bit by bit. It's all getting a bit Orwellian, especially as I will likely end up having to reconsider my car ownership as a result, all cos of a bit of paperwork..

[Johnny G Pipe]

Yes, spicy, that's the decision I have to make..it's a bit like gambling for the big prize at the end of a gameshow!

-I already explained the situation - oversight when overworked, normally law abiding chap etc.,in a letter to the Procurator (our version of the magistrate in Scotland) - and from what I have read above, it looks like they are already being a bit 'lenient' - relatively speaking of course- with regard to the fine especially.

I may still take advice from a motoring lawyer ( anyone know what sort of costs involved?) -particularly as the bobbies made a mistake filling out my producer. I can't see how that affects the bald facts of no insurance cover, though.

[Johnny G Pipe]

[quote=Nano2nd]i think knowing you weren't insured at the time of the orignal tug, hasn't helped

if you'd have genuinely missed your renewal by a few days then you'd have discovered the error when producing your documents. In court "bugger i missed my renewal date coz i'm stupid, i'm really sorry" looks far better than "yeah i knew i was uninsured, but drove anyway, i'll sort it when i get chance.." [quote]

Just re-reading the replies, and wanted to reply to this, too: I had no idea I wasn't insured when originally stopped - only realised when I dug my documents out a few days later to take 'em to the station! As I mentioned, I had thought it was due end of the Month - my track car was due then, and I just got a little mixed up..too busy concentrating on making people better.