Boozy Brits left high and dry for motor insurance

·         Others could face 82 per cent hike in motor insurance

Motorists found driving or even attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol could face an 82 per cent hike on their motor insurance premiums, or worse find themselves uninsurable, reveals moneysupermarket.com.

The drink driving penalty, DR10, has a huge affect on your insurance premium and drivers will find there is a heavy price to pay. Insurers such as Kwik Fit and Budget will provide cover for drivers with a previous drink driving conviction, but premiums will see a huge increase; rising by a whopping 82 per cent on average - from £290 to £528 a year. In some cases premiums could increase by over 100 per cent¹.

The UK's leading price comparison site also reveals many big name insurers such as esure, Halifax, and specialist female-only insurer Sheilas' Wheels, will not even return a quote and insure a motorist with a previous drink driving conviction. Other insurers², More Th>n and LV= for example, will not insure a driver if you have had a 12 month driving ban in the last five years.

Andy Leadbetter, head of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "With the Christmas party season just around the corner many would think nothing of enjoying one or two drinks to get in to the festive spirit. However, it is vital that to make sure you make adequate arrangements to get home as drink driving can have serious consequences, not only for yourself but also for other road users and pedestrians. It is crucial to be aware of the effects of alcohol on driving; reaction times, co-ordination, and judgement will all be skewed.

"Even if you are over the limit by just a small amount, finding yourself uninsurable will be a huge blow, especially alongside the £1,000 fine, 12 month ban and possible prison sentence!  Surely getting behind the wheel after drinking just isn't worth it."

In a recent ROSPA survey almost half of drivers (44 per cent) admitted to driving after drinking alcohol, with one in eight saying they did so even though they thought they were over the legal limit³.

Andy Leadbetter said: "With so many motorists taking a risk behind the wheel, it's not a surprise the insurance industry takes drink driving very seriously. Even drinking under the legal limit and getting behind the wheel can be an accident waiting to happen. The safest option is to only drink soft drinks when intending to drive at anytime and not only over the Christmas period."

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

¹ Drink driving convictions affecting motor insurance premiums:

Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 05.11.2008

Scenario:

o         40 year old male

o         2006 Ford Focus

o         5 years NCD

o         Car parked on driveway

o         12,000 miles per year

o         Living in Maidstone ME15

o         DR10 Penalty - drink driving conviction (driving or attempting to drive with alcohol level above limit - 6 points / 40 MC found in blood / £1,000 fine / 12 Month ban)

² These providers will not provide cover if you have had a 12 month driving ban in the last 5 years

Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 06.11.2008

³ ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents): Drinking and Driving Policy Paper Updated May 2007 (http://www.rospa.com/)