Car insurance news

Police indulge in car crushing extravaganza

Despite the large number of online firms offering cheap car insurance nowadays, Hertfordshire Police have seized more than 2,000 uninsured vehicles in the past six months.

A total of 2,056 vehicles have been confiscated since August 2005, and over 1,200 of those have been crushed. The 2,000th car was actually symbolically destroyed in a bizarre ceremony by Hertfordshire chief constable Frank Whiteley.

The frenzy of destruction is part of a clampdown following national legislation to improve motoring standards and deny criminals use of the road. Police are now allowed to seize any vehicle whose owner is not covered by motor insurance or doesn’t possess an adequate driving licence, and that vehicle can then be crushed if the owner doesn’t come forward.

Cars that the police confiscate are taken to a secure compound and drivers are given seven working days to produce the legal documentation. They must also pay a recovery charge of £105 as well as a daily storage fee, and any vehicles that are not claimed within 14 days are scrapped.

Inspector Keith Tilley of Hertfordshire Police said, “We will not take any excuses or make any exceptions- if you don’t obey the law we’ll make sure that you pay the price.”

Upon hearing about the police’s crushing spree, Rebecca Pearson from Duck2Water Car Insurance Services said, “There are so many cheap car insurance deals to be had at the moment that there really isn’t any point driving around without cover, especially if you run the risk of having your car destroyed. It’s just not worth it.”

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