am i insured if driving without a licence?

Question

my friend was in a car accident although she is insured her driving licence had expired

Answer 1

Check your policy and schedule carefully. Some insurance companies use the term that insurance is in force provided that the driver "holds or has held a licence of entitlement and is not otherwise disqualified from holding this licence at the time the policy is in force"

This is often stated in policies so that people are not penalised for what may be a genuine lapse of renewing the licence for whatever reason.

However if you have never held a licence in the first place or are disqualified or otherwise debarred from holding a licence you are in trouble.

It is illegal to drive without a valid licence that is an offence regardless but you may still be insured. Check the fine print of the policy and see if this clause is included.

Answer 2

Hello,

As most other people are saying, the drivers own claim for damage to their vehicle will not be covered.

The other point here is whether there is any third party damage caused by the driver - ie another vehicle/property etc

If so then the insurer still has an RTA interest in the third party claims and should deal with them on a "without prejudice" basis.

The insurer may ask the innocent third party to get an unsatisfied judgement before actually paying the third party claim but as this then includes court costs some insurers pay third party claims without the need for court action.

Answer 3

There's a difference between driving WITHOUT a license & driving with an expired license. If the license has recently expired & is still within your state's grace period for renewal, & the insurance is paid up, the the Insurance company may still cover a claim -- provided the license is renewed & claim is small. Read the policy.

A suspended, revoked or never issued license is another matter. No coverage at all. Normally a policy wouldn't be issued until the carrier checked the license status of the named insured. If the driver is an un-named insured (such as a guest driver) there still may be liability coverage thru the owner's policy.

Answer 4

Hell no!!

MAJOR no no. Driving without insurance. Driving without a licence.

Looking a BIG fines and licence endorsements BEFORE you even get it!

Answer 5

screwed is a word i would use. car insurance is only valid on a car that has a valid tax disc, mot certificate, and is driven by a person with a valid driving licence, insurance companies will do what ever they can not to pay out

and did U know if U have an accident in a shopping car park Ur not technically insured, as its classed as private property, even having alloy wheels as an extra option, can void a policy if U don't tell them about it

Answer 6

NO. It is illegal to drive without a licence! He insurance will be void. and she will more than likely get into trouble for breaking the law.

Answer 7

No you are not insured if you have no licence, how could you be?
I If the other person was to blame, she may be able to claim off thir insurance, if not and she was to blame, she hasn't got a leg to stand on and all she can look forward to is a long wait for a court date.

Answer 8

The insurance company can refuse to pay, as your "friend" was committing an offence under UK law, that of "driving other than in accordance with a licence".

Answer 9

No - it will be a condition of the insurance that you hold a valid licence for the vehicle you are driving

Answer 10

No insurance covers anything illegal. Driving without a licence is illegal. Therefore you are not insured, although you may have paid.