Britons warned as car insurance claims are 'likely to be denied by your provider' and costs could soar
Drivers could find their car insurance voided if they are responsible for a crash
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More than £20million has been spent on paying for people who crash without insurance and under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to new research, drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol were responsible for 6,262 collisions in 2022, prompting an urgent call from motorists.
These collisions would not have been covered under the motorists' insurance policy as they were under the influence, with the total cost amounting to £20.5million.
Experts have not highlighted that drivers who are drunk or on drugs will void their car insurance policy, leaving them liable to pay any resulting fees.
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Being under the influence of drink or drugs can result in car insurance policies being voided
GETTYThe average motor insurance claim payout is now more than £3,000, equating to the enormous £20.5million figure.
Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, warned that in certain circumstances, providers can deny a claim altogether.
He added: "Usually, if you’re in a crash that is deemed your fault, your insurance provider will still pay out, but it will be noted as a fault claim, which can impact your future premiums.
"Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of these, meaning you would not be covered and this would void your insurance immediately."
If this is the case, drivers will be forced to "pay out of their own pocket for damages to their vehicles".
The data also uncovered that the cost of car insurance jumped by a massive 133 per cent for anyone convicted of drunk driving, in addition to other costs associated with this crime.
A further 468 collisions took place in 2022 which may have been uninsured as a result of motorists using their mobile phones at the wheel.
If someone is found to be illegally using their phone at the wheel, insurers can reject the claim - with total claims estimated to amount to £1.5million.
Mobile phone driving laws were strengthened in 2022 which now means that drivers could be slapped with a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence for using their phone at the wheel.
Go.Compare revealed that car crashes caused by reckless driving, neglect, and ignoring poor weather or other conditions could also lead to claims being denied.
However, this will depend on individual circumstances and whether the driver was found to be at fault for the collision.
Banks added: "Claims for accidents caused by other situations, like acting recklessly while driving, are also likely to be denied by your provider.
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Road surfaces have also been blamed for a large proportion of damages
PA"Likewise, if your vehicle is found to be the cause of a collision due to neglect because you haven’t maintained it properly, your claim could also be rejected, because insurance policies typically require drivers to keep the vehicle roadworthy.”
The data also showed that poor or defective road surfaces were linked to 477 collisions in 2022, estimated to be worth £1.6million in damages collectively.
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