Threat of Speeding Fines Hike Increases the Value of Loss of Licence Insurance, Says Driverguard

DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Government proposals to increase speeding fines from £60 to as much as £100 threaten to further increase the costs of motoring in the UK. For those drivers who face being banned from the road after totting up penalty points, the cost of paying fines and finding cash for alternative transport can be life changing. The proposed increase would also apply to fines handed out for a range of motoring offences besides speeding - including mobile phone use, ignoring signals and pedestrian crossings, and failing to wear a seatbelt.

Driverguard, the UK's leading provider of loss of licence insurance, says the continually rising cost of motoring only increases the value of drivers protecting themselves from the financial consequences of being banned. A Driverguard spokesman said:

"These proposed speeding fine changes threaten to place an even greater financial burden on ordinary motorists. With Britain's roads already resembling a scene from George Orwell's 1984, with cameras recording every move, even sensible and cautious drivers can get caught out by speed cameras. It's all too easy for ordinary motorists to find that they are facing a driving ban due to totting up points. For some this could mean losing their job, at the very least it will have serious financial consequences, and this will only be exaggerated by having to pay increased fines for speeding."

For more than 40 years Driverguard.co.uk policies have been covering the travel costs of motorists who are disqualified from driving. The spokesman added:

"Our lowest policy reimburses up to £835 per month for alternative travel costs and the minimum premium is only £7.22 a month. The Elite top level policy provides a maximum annual benefit of £30,000 and costs only £36.11 per month. If drivers have to face paying increased fines, on top of the cost of paying for alternative travel arrangements, the financial impact on individuals and their dependents will be severe. Driverguard.co.uk policies do not cover the cost of paying fines, but we offer value for money protection for drivers at a time when the motorist is being put under increasing financial pressure. For just a few pounds per month drivers can be sure that they are protected from this financial threat."

An example of how Driverguard policies help motorists is the story of David Price, a surveyor from Wolverhampton, who realised his job depended on him remaining mobile. He received information about the Driverguard.co.uk policy underwritten by St Christopher ChauffeurPlan.

In August 2011, Mr Price was unfortunate enough to build up one too many three point penalties and was disqualified for six months. He says: "My job involved driving every day - so I rang up Driverguard.co.uk and they covered the costs of alternative travel which required me to employ the services of a driver. Due to the distances I have to travel for my job it would have been impossible for me to continue to work by travelling by taxis and trains. Each week I completed a form showing details of the areas visited and the mileage during that week. This form was then signed by my myself, and the driver I hired, as a true statement of the journeys made in the course of my work. I then sent this form to Driverguard by Special Delivery and upon receipt my bank account was reimbursed on a weekly basis in arrears. It was a very efficient process and I'm so impressed with the Driverguard.co.uk policy I am telling all my friends to get signed up as soon as possible."

In total, Mr Price was unable to drive for six months and his expenses came to nearly £6,000. Apart from covering alternative transport if disqualified, Driverguard policies cover members for car hire if their car is unusable because of damage or vandalism; emergency costs up £2,500 if the policyholder is stranded because the car has been damaged in an accident or stolen, and even cover up to £2,500 a month (Elite policy) if a driver is injured and can't drive. So, for example, if you trip over and damage an ankle you can still keep on the move.

Driverguard cover plans are backed by St Christopher ChauffeurPlan - the biggest and most experienced name in loss of licence insurance. Policies are available for individuals and for businesses. There are even policies for sports teams which want to insure against key players being unable to get to that vital match due to a driving ban. However, Driverguard's policies are not a green light for motorists to flout the law. Its policies do not cover disqualification due to drink driving, reckless or dangerous driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs.

Contact us

Driverguard
Freepost 1119
PO BOX 179, IOMA House
Hope Street, Douglas
ISLE OF MAN.
IM87 6EP
http://www.driverguard.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/driverguard
+44(0)8081-624046
Email info@driverguard.co.uk

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Mainstream Financial
craig@mainstreamfiancial.co.uk
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