UK law is defined by the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA 1988) amended as the Road Traffic Act 1991 (RTA 1991). It states that every driver of a vehicle using a public road must carry a current insurance policy of at least third party status.
The insurance company providing cover for a driver will issue a policy certificate that gives legal evidence that the driver is fully covered by at least third party car insurance. The driver or named drivers, on the insurance certificate are the only authorised persons to be able to drive that vehicle.
If the driver is stopped by the police for any reason they may be asked to produce their insurance certificate. If unable to do this on the spot, the police will give the person seven days to take the certificate to a police station to prove that they are insured to drive that particular vehicle.
The main reason for insurance being a legal requirement in the UK is to protect those who suffer road traffic accidents. If a driver is involved in an accident that causes damage to another car or person, their insurance will provide financial cover to repair any damage or offer compensation for injury.
An insurance company will cover a car for ‘use’ on a public road. This term applies not only to driving the vehicle but also if the car is being towed, tested or pushed on the road if the vehicle has broken down.
When the insurance policy has been agreed with the driver the insurer can hold the policy on their behalf before the certificate has been sent out. This enables the driver to be insured immediately and won’t have to wait for the document to arrive in the post before driving the car.
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