Drivers warned making non-essential journeys could void their insurance
DRIVERS who use their cars to make non-essential journeys could invalidate their insurance, a leading motoring lawyer has warned.
It comes as latest government data shows that while public transport use has dropped, the number of car journeys being taken are on the rise.
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For the past two weeks, Brits have been warned to leave their homes just once a day and only for essential journeys, such as key workers getting to work or trips to the supermarket.
Police have been given extra powers to fine people who breach the lockdown rules, which have been put in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
One woman was fined £800 for having no good reason to be at a train station and a man £60 for driving 100 miles to see his lover.
But using your vehicle to visit friends, family or to make more than one essential journey a day could also breach you car insurance policy.
Ways to cut down on your fuel costs
HERE are some tips on how you can slash the cost of fuel:
- Make your car more fuel-efficient. You can do this by keeping your tyres inflated, taking the roof rack off, emptying your car of clutter and turning off your air con when driving at lower speeds.
- Find the cheapest fuel prices. PetrolPrices.com and Confused.com allows you to search prices of UK petrol stations. All you need to do is enter in your postcode and tell it how far you want to travel (up to 20 miles).
- Drive more efficiently. Some ways to do this, include:
- Accelerate gradually without over-revving
- Always drive on the highest possible gear
- If you can, allow your car to slow down naturally as your brake is a money burner
- Re-starting your car is expensive, if you can keep moving
That means that any damages won't be covered if you have an accident.
Lawyer Nick Freeman, 63, also known as Mr Loophole, said: "Essential travel is largely defined as shopping for necessities, picking up medical suppliers, caring for a vulnerable person and getting to and from work if you cannot do so from home.
"Anything else is not really acceptable so if you have an accident and cannot prove that your journey was essential your insurance may be void."
Car owners with expiring MOTs have been given a temporary six month extension during the lockdown, as long as the vehicles are in a roadworthy condition.
This is to allow those who need to leave their homes to pick up essential items, such as groceries, to travel.
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But Mr Freeman warned that drivers will still be liable if they were involved in an accident caused by something that would have caused your car to fail its MOT.
He added: "The MOT sabbatical isn't a get-out clause for tyres with no tread, defective brakes or faulty suspension etc.
"You can't hide behind the MOT. It is the responsibility of the motorist to ensure their vehicle roadworthy.
"Otherwise you could face anything from penalty points and a fine to prison depending on the allegation."
If your car hasn't had its MOT because of the extension rule then you must let your insurance company know as it could affect your premium or make your policy invalid.
Most read in money
The warning comes as road experts predict that the price of petrol will drop to below £1 in the coming weeks.
An independent fuel station in Birmingham has already dropped petrol prices this low, with one litre costing drivers just 99.7p.
The price of crude oil has continued to slide due to the coronavirus outbreak, as there are fewer drivers on the road now that the UK is in lockdown.