What Car? Q&A - Can I cancel my insurance?

Q: I’m not using my car at the moment and, because it is expensive to insure, I thought I might stop paying the premium on it. It is parked on the road outside my house but I live in a quiet cul-de-sac. Can I not insure my car in this situation?
David Leah

A: Unless you can park your car off the road, on a private driveway, or in a garage, you must keep it insured. Under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a serious offence to ‘use’ a car on a public road without insurance. The act lays down a maximum fine of £5000, six to eight penalty points and discretionary disqualification.

‘Using’ a car, according to the 1988 act, means more than simply driving it. You are using your car if it is parked on the road outside your house, even if you have no immediate intention of driving it. Provided it is capable of being driven, and so comes within the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’, you breach section 143 if the car is not insured.

If you could park your car off the road, or in a garage, you could ask your insurer about insuring it ‘in storage’. This might save you some money but would still protect your car. Remember that if your car is ‘off the road’ you will need to complete a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) declaration for the DVLA in order not to get fined.