A fifth of motorists are expected to risk driving without insurance this Christmas, which equates to more than eight million people.
New research from temporary car insurance provider Tempcover has found that 21% of motorists are predicted to drive a car they are not insured for before the end of the month.
This is because of convenience and immediate pressures, with the most common reasons including moving someone else’s car that is blocking their own on a driveway (33%), having to drive a friend or family member’s car because they had too much to drink (33%), or to make a short journey or run a quick errand (19%).
More than a quarter (26%) said the risks of driving uninsured were smaller than the risks of letting someone drive who has had drink, while 20% said if they were only driving a short distance the risk of getting caught was low.
Meanwhile, 37% of drivers believed their own policy would automatically cover them to drive another car.
Short-term solution
Jake Lambert, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “The festive season can bring unique pressures but even with good intent, those moments of convenience cannot override the law. However, when it comes to borrowing a car legally for a short-term period, there is a solution.
“By taking just a few minutes, you can secure legal cover, protecting yourself and other road users. We offer instant, fully comprehensive temporary cover for as little as an hour.”
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.