7 Things You Need to Know About Registration Plates and Car Insurance in the UK
After you have bought your first ever vehicle and car plate, you might find yourself asking important questions about the car plate and insurance.
Your car plate is an important component of your car, all cars are legally required to have one. They help identify cars from a distance, regulate crime, and prevent theft of your car. Some people even go out of their way to purchase personalised registration plates.
7 Things About Registration Plates and Car Insurance in the UK
After investing so much money on your registration plate, it is important to ask and get right answers about your car insurance. Here is a list of questions you might be curious about.
1. How do Personalised Plates affect the Cost of Insurance?
Buying your first personalised number plate can be stressful if you do not know the ins and outs of it. But it is without a doubt that dvla personalised registration plates are still worth it.
If you have confusion regarding the cost, first and foremost, you should check with your insurer because different insurers have different policies.. If the costs vary, and if you do not comply with them, you will face penalties and legal issues.
However, do not be demotivated because it is more likely that the costs will not differ too much.. The Reason being the ultimate function is the same, to identify your vehicle.
2. Do you really Need Car Insurance?
The benefits of car insurance are vast which gives you little reason to not have it. Moreover, at the end of the day, having car insurance is a legal requirement. So even if you do not feel like there are benefits, it is still a requirement.
In any case, if you are driving without insurance, there is a possibility that you can face legal charges and have to pay penalties if you are caught.
Car insurance covers your loss in case it is stolen or damaged. It also protects you if there are any accidents, and also covers the third party involved in the accidents in cash they are affected..
3. Requesting a “Letter of No Interest”
Personalised registration plates can at times be very expensive and on top of that, if you have bought it for personal reasons, you might be even more attached to it.
That is why, if your vehicle is ever stolen, the whole ordeal becomes very upsetting when you think about losing your personalised registration plate. Even if your car is recovered, your insurance company is allowed to keep your registration plate once you have received your pay-out.
For this reason, you should make a formal agreement with the insurance company before a situation like this plays out. This is called the letter of not interest and it will ensure that in such events, you can receive your prized possession back after you pay the insurance company.
4. Are Personalised Registration Plates Safe for Your Vehicle?
You might be wondering whether your vehicle is more at risk of being stolen if you are using a personalised registration plate. This is a debatable topic as logically, thieves do not always make number plates their primary focus when they steal.
Moreover, there are many other factors that impact the likelihood of your car stolen, for example, the model and other expensive add-ons you might have installed.
However, it is still something to consider. The reason being, personalised registration plates are unique and stand out. If you have bought your registration plate for a fortune, thieves can also sell it for good money.
Therefore, even though it is unlikely for your car to be stolen just because of the plate, it still increases the incentive for theft.
5. Why you Should Notify your Insurer About Registration Number Change
Imagine spending a fortune on a registration card and also spend for the insurance ,but according to law, insurance is a requirement for your car not an option..When you go through some of the unimaginable scenarios of your car being stolen, you are l at ease because you are covered by your insurance for such an incident.
However, if you have not notified your insurer about the change in the registration number, your insurance will be invalid. Meaning, you will not be granted the help you assumed you would receive.
It really would be an unfortunate situation if you had everything and yet could not receive your benefits because of a small mistake. That is why you should be careful and inform your insurer about any change.
6. Stolen License Plates
It is not uncommon for thieves to run off with your license plate, though it is less complicated than stealing a car . On the other hand, you might have a personal attachment to the plate if it is personalised. Moreover, the plate is also your car’s identity.
If your license plate has been stolen, first, you should immediately file a report to the police. This could prevent further complications and can also increase your chances of getting it back if the police find it.
Secondly,you should not drive your car without your registration plate because it is illegal to drive without proper identification.. Instead, wait until you can get a replacement.
7. Further Queries
Everyone’s concerns regarding their registration plates are different because our situations can be unique. That is why you should utilize the services provided by your car insurance company’s customer care.
Make sure to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, especially if you are new to this. Call customer care and ask them about your queries regarding your registration plate.
Final Thoughts
Getting a car and purchasing personalised registration plates can be a daunting business, especially if it is your first time. The reason being that they come with a lot of legal responsibility.
On the other hand, it is crucial for you to do intensive research and communicate with your insurers so that you know what you are getting into before you take new steps.
Hopefully, the points above will answer everything you have been concerned about regarding registration plates.