Last year, it was estimated that more than 1.7million uninsured drivers are on the road. The AA estimates that this costs the industry £500million each year, adding around £30 to every policy bought by law-abiding motorists.
So, do you live and drive in a high risk area? The MIB has put together a map highlighting the 20 worst areas for uninsured driving. Read on below for tips on keeping your car insurance premiums as low as possible.
Barkerend in Bradford, West Yorkshire, has the dubious title of being the UK's uninsured driving capital. Almost half the vehicles registered in the area don't have any cover.
Research by moneysupermarket.com shows the number of uninsured drivers on the road has increased by 33% compared to last year. Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at the comparison site, described this as "disappointing".
"It's a worrying thought every fifth car we see isn't covered, and that this number has increased to a staggering 33 per cent from the 2008 figures.
"The onset of recession may mean more motorists are unable to afford the cost of their insurance but, whatever the distance, driving without insurance is illegal."
What's behind this?
Part of the problem is that four out of ten drivers don't expect they will be caught driving without insurance.
In fact, more than 232,000 people were convicted for this offence last year - facing vehicle seizure, a minimum of six points on their licence, a fixed penalty of £200 and around £150 to reclaim their car.
But is that enough? A recent moneysupermarket.com poll found two-thirds of people want there to be tougher penalties for the high numbers of young drivers who are on the road without insurance.
How to cut cost but keep cover
The MIB's Stay Insured campaign aims to highlight ways drivers can make their car insurance more affordable, rather than going without it. We wholeheartedly approve of reducing car insurance premiums, so here are our top tips for bringing down the cost of car insurance.
It's important to have the cover that you need when you're driving. Reducing your premiums by accepting a lower level of protection or raising your excess beyond what you can afford will be a false economy if you're involved in a crash.
So what are the other ways you can bring down your premiums? Here are just a few.
Pick the right car
Insurers believe that some cars are riskier than others, so if you're worried about premiums, try to pick a vehicle with a smaller engine size.
The bigger and faster the car, the higher your premiums will be. If you're not sure what sort of price you'd pay for a certain vehicle, our insurance comparison tool allows you to make speculative searches for specific cars or models.
Keep your car safe
If you can show an insurer you'll be storing the vehicle off the road - perhaps on a drive or in a garage - they will often reduce the amount you have to pay because the car will be safer.
Don't be tempted to lie, though. If your car is being routinely parked on the road and you say it's in a garage, your policy could be invalid.
Shop around for cover
When you're looking for your next policy, don't assume your existing provider will reward loyalty. People using moneysupermarket.com to compare car insurance policies save an average of £157 a year, so make sure you hunt out the best deal.
Minimise your mileage
When you apply for your insurance policy, your provider will ask for an estimate of the miles you do each year.
If you can reduce these - perhaps by car sharing or taking the train more often - then your premiums could fall.
Up the excess
If you can afford to pay a higher excess then many insurers will lower their prices. However, make sure you can afford the amount you agree, as this is what you will have to pay before your provider will shell out a penny.
Take the Pass Plus
Younger drivers are particularly bad for driving without insurance, according to several studies, and many people believe this is because cover costs so much for this age group.
Taking the Pass Plus exam means you've had more extensive driving experience and learnt skills such as driving at night and on the motorways. Because of that, many insurers will cut their prices for people who have completed this training.
Add an older driver
Adding a more experienced driver, perhaps a partner or parent, to a policy can sometimes bring down the cost of insurance.
However, making them the main driver and adding yourself as an additional user is called fronting and is considered insurance fraud. Don't run the risk of being left without cover.
Pay annually
Although it can be easier to pay your car insurance monthly, it can also be much more expensive. This is because you'll be paying interest on the outstanding amount.
If you can manage to pay in one lump sum, you could cut what you pay across the year.
Consider what cover you need
If your car is more banger than bling, you may not want to pay for fully comprehensive insurance and might choose third party cover instead. This can bring the cost down and be the best option for certain drivers.
Having said that, recent moneysupermarket.com research found fully comprehensive cover is cheaper than third party for some motorists, so compare all your options carefully.
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