§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the British Insurers Association measures to avoid the practice of including motorists with criminal convictions on company insurances in cases where personal insurance is not available to them. [106288]
§ Mr. HillThe main aim of our policy on motor insurance is to ensure that any driver who uses a vehicle on the road will be covered for their liabilities to third parties. To that end the motor insurance industry have agreed informally that they will always find a policy for anybody who holds a valid driving licence and is legally entitled to use a vehicle on the road. The premium charged reflects the risk attached to the driver and this includes driving history and any relevant convictions. This practice applies to both individual and company insurance policies. Seeking to prevent insurers from issuing any cover for valid licence holders would be likely to lead to an increase in uninsured driving.