Rising costs causing car insurance payment 'delays'

A number of British drivers are opting out of paying for motor insurance, in part due to the escalating costs of running a car.

Research from insurer Zurich shows that UK car owners currently spend an average of £1,776.62 each year on costs such as vehicle tax, fuel, parking and maintenance.

Amounting to a not inconsiderable outlay of £51 billion each year, almost a fifth of motorists have indicated that they consequently delay paying insurance, road tax and parking fines as a result.

A third of the respondents in a poll also said they delay making MOT and vehicle tax payments, despite them being legal requirements.

Mark Searles, chief marketing officer at the group, said that rising costs had put drivers under increasing financial pressure, suggesting that the most worrying findings showed that "some drivers are risking their own and others' safety in a bid to save money".

He added: "We need to change those attitudes and remember that it is a legal requirement to have both a valid MOT and insurance."

Source : http://www.moneynews.co.uk/