West Midland drivers pay high price for uninsured motorists

UNINSURED drivers are forcing up the cost of motor insurance in the West Midlands way above the national average, new figures show.

Data released by the Motor Insurance Bureau shows that the West Midlands and West Yorkshire account for 17 of the top 20 postcodes in the country in terms of uninsured drivers.

The number of drivers without cover in the two areas is thought to be around eight times the national average.

Bordesley in Birmingham is the worst place in the country, where a third of all drivers are thought to have no insurance. Bordesley is followed by Small Heath and Ward End.

Due to the high number of uninsured drivers, premiums in the Birmingham postcode area are amongst the highest in the country. Police believe non-stop accidents are far more likely and so drivers legally on the road are having to pay the penalty by compensating those without policies.

Ashton West, chief executive of the MIB, said authorities should not stand by and let uninsured drivers continue to cause problems for honest motorists. He said if the situation did continue then premiums in these areas could go up even further.

The annual cost of uninsured driving is estimated at around £500m and accounts for on average, an additional £30 per annum to each insurance policy.

Last week the Government announced it was considering banning referrals fees for injury accidents.

Otto Thoresen, Director General of the Association of British Insurers, said: “We are very pleased that the Government has listened to the insurance industry’s campaign for a ban on referral fees. They add no value and encourage spurious and exaggerated personal injury claims.

“It is important that the ban must be watertight and apply across the board. Banning referral fees is an important first step in tackling our dysfunctional compensation system, and needs to be accompanied by a reduction in legal costs and action to tackle whiplash if honest customers are to benefit from these reforms.”

In August, Birmingham was named the worst place in the country for such incidents.