Expired car tax + insurance

[anidiot]

Evening,

Had a shunt earlier today. My car has pretty much had it, little damage to back of the other car (I went into him). When going over my car I noticed that my tax had expired a couple of months ago. Fully accept this to be my fault. Hadn't noticed this (irrelevant I suppose) and could list reasons as to why I'd missed it but the main one is: I'm an idiot. I'm insured fully comp and the car is roadworthy - serviced a couple of months ago and nothing wrong with it. Has an MoT. Trying to find out if lapsed tax invalidates my insurance. Mostly found forums with people arguing both sides... it seems to be argued more passionately that it does not invalidate your insurance. I've found an article on Parkers that says it does not. Can't find much else official looking to confirm. Gone over my insurance policy and it does not mention the car should be taxed (although it obviously should for non-insurance reasons).

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/advice/news/Archive/...

Can I get people's opinions on this? I know everybody's first reaction: you are an idiot. That's not up for debate. Agree whole heartedly. Plan to buy tax tomorrow though don't expect this to make much difference. EDIT: and of course prepared to any fines heading my way for lack of tax. This is specifically relating to insurance.

Cheers.

Edited by anidiot on Friday 13th January 21:53

[Maximum Bobs]

1. Are you a troll?

2. No, having no VED/car tax does not invalidate your insurance.

3. Even if it did invalidate your insurance (which it doesn't) your insurance company still has a liability to pay third party claims.

[anidiot]

Maximum Bobs said:

1. Are you a troll?

2. No, having no VED/car tax does not invalidate your insurance.

3. Even if it did invalidate your insurance (which it doesn't) your insurance company still has a liability to pay third party claims.

1. I'm not. I wish I was! If I was I wouldn't be in this situation etc.

Thanks for your reply. Apologies for appearing troll-ish.

[Deva Link]

anidiot said:

Gone over my insurance policy and it does not mention the car should be taxed....

There's your answer.

You will be getting an automatic penalty of £80 for failing to tax the car.

[anidiot]

Deva Link said:

There's your answer.

You will be getting an automatic penalty of £80 for failing to tax the car.

Thanks. On my insurer's FAQ which I have just found it also says:

Am I still insured if my road tax has run out?
Yes. However, it is an offence to use or permit your vehicle to be on the public highway, without valid insurance cover, valid road tax and a valid MOT (if applicable)

I will take the fine. I was worried about insurance not paying out. Really a genuine mistake and not trying to avoid paying.

Thanks for your responses. Much appreciated.