I am relieved to report that the saga is finally over! The guy met me and gave ME the cash to take to the garage and get my car back! He didn't fancy going himself...

Reasons which helped me make a hash of my insurance include my partner having a baby, having moved several times in the course of a year, my parents both being seriously ill, having two cars (it's somewhere remote, not easily accessible, in case anyone asks), transferring the policy from my other car when I got this one last July (rather than taking out a new policy), mislaying my cert of insurance, insurance company not mentioning my policy was up for renewal when I called to give them my current address and asked for a replacement insurance cert, my card expiring (so insurance co were not able automatically charge for following year's premium) etc etc - that's not exhaustive but that was the 'perfect storm'!

I know I am ultimately responsible in ensuring my documentation is valid, but we're all human. And I wasn't dodging insurance to save a few bob.

I still maintain the law is not totally clear on parked cars and insurance - it does not explicitly state that 'use' can mean being parked in a public road!

ahhhhh:

Of course I wasn't too chuffed to discover my car had been damaged whilst parked. I was even more appalled when I discovered my insurance had expired. Not just through forgetfulness I might add - my insurance company misled me. My MOT and road tax were all fine... in fact I used this 'invalid' insurance to renew my tax disc, so it was enough to convince the Post Office as well.

How did your insurance company mislead you? The post office in my experience only give a cursory glance to such documents.

The law isn't quite that clear on parked vehicles having to be insured - if it was then there probably wouldn't as much debate on this forum as to whether it was illegal.

No I think the law is pretty clear. You were desperately hoping the issue could be clouded.Snippets from the internet can be used to say anything.

Still, interesting to see how extreme some of the reactions are from some folk regarding motor insurance, regardless of the circumstances.

Tell us the circumstances,Mlud. You seem intent on wanting to justify the position.

Landshark:

I've watched this thread with interest. The OP was obviously miffed that his uninsured and parked car was hit by another moving and uninsured car. The Road Traffic and Highways Act makes it quite straight forward that in order for a vehicle to be permitted to be on or remain on the Queen's highways it must be accompanied by valid paperwork, that being MOT (where appropriate), valid insurance and valid road fund license. Where any part is missing, the vehicle is no longer authorised to remain on the highway. Furthermore, loss of or lack of any item, invalidates insurance, thereby rendering the vehicle as "illegal". Ergo, if your illegally parked vehicle causes injury to a third party, you would be personally liable for all consequential issues and losses.

Personally I'd lock the pair of you up and throw away the keys. I'd then crush both cars.

There are estimated to be over 1 million illegal vehicles and/or drivers on the UK roads during any day. These people cost legitimate road users millions. It is time that the police focused on these and not on other "softer" targets.

SHARK!

Of course I wasn't too chuffed to discover my car had been damaged whilst parked. I was even more appalled when I discovered my insurance had expired. Not just through forgetfulness I might add - my insurance company misled me. My MOT and road tax were all fine... in fact I used this 'invalid' insurance to renew my tax disc, so it was enough to convince the Post Office as well.

The law isn't quite that clear on parked vehicles having to be insured - if it was then there probably wouldn't as much debate on this forum as to whether it was illegal.

Landshark - you are quite reasonable up until the point you say you would 'lock the pair of you up'. Hopefully you're not involved in drawing up any legislation!

Still, interesting to see how extreme some of the reactions are from some folk regarding motor insurance, regardless of the circumstances.

I've watched this thread with interest. The OP was obviously miffed that his uninsured and parked car was hit by another moving and uninsured car. The Road Traffic and Highways Act makes it quite straight forward that in order for a vehicle to be permitted to be on or remain on the Queen's highways it must be accompanied by valid paperwork, that being MOT (where appropriate), valid insurance and valid road fund license. Where any part is missing, the vehicle is no longer authorised to remain on the highway. Furthermore, loss of or lack of any item, invalidates insurance, thereby rendering the vehicle as "illegal". Ergo, if your illegally parked vehicle causes injury to a third party, you would be personally liable for all consequential issues and losses.

Personally I'd lock the pair of you up and throw away the keys. I'd then crush both cars.

There are estimated to be over 1 million illegal vehicles and/or drivers on the UK roads during any day. These people cost legitimate road users millions. It is time that the police focused on these and not on other "softer" targets.

SHARK!

I am taking on board all the advice put forward. It is a fair point to make that an English court judgement is unlikely to apply in the Scottish legal system. I just think (partly based on what the police themselves have said) it a lot less likely that the police would be likely to pursue someone in my circumstances in comparison to someone driving around with no insurance... and hitting another vehicle.

Perhaps veloxuk is a more than a bit thick - my car is now unquestionably legal so the police cannot take my car away and crush it. They would have to get it out of the garage for a start... I would not intentionally leave my car uninsured.

The police threaten crushing cars with no insurance, but has anyone heard of this actually happening?

I am normally very aware of when my insurance etc is due, but due to various factors I was under the impression it was not due until July. I haven't listed all the reasons here because it is just too tedious and was not expecting to have to do so to prove my honesty to idiots who come on here thinking I'm making stuff up.

In any case, the reasons why are irrelevant anyway, are they not, as ignorance is no defence in law.

Isnt it that someones insurance would be void if they failed to update their address as the veichle would be kept at a different perm place? I know when my insurance is due, so think this women is really playing games with us all.

Either that or thick. Dont the police crush unisured vechiles they find by the side of the road?