Angharad Evans – Veygo

Staycation driving guide. Veygo’s advice to help young drivers at higher risk of fatigue.

Angharad Evans — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 09:05:59 +0000

While road trips can be exciting, research shows that the risk of driver fatigue is particularly high for those under 30 – the age group most prone to accidents caused by tiredness and boredom. Data suggests this is because young people can’t cope as well without adequate sleep and the fact that the area of their brain that deals with driving-based decision-making is still maturing.

There are four main warning signs of fatigue you should look out for when driving. They are:

Difficulty concentrating
Yawning
Feeling like your eyelids are ‘heavy’
Experiencing your eyeballs starting to ‘roll’

With the above in mind, here’s Veygo’s practical advice to ensure your safety on the road and help you manage fatigue before and during your drive:

Take regular breaks: If it’s a long journey, plan to take a break at least every couple of hours. Rule 91 of The Highway Code advises that for every two hours of driving you should take at least a 15-minute break.
Share the drive: If a passenger has also passed their test, consider splitting the drive. Opting for a flexible insurance option, such as Veygo’s temporary car insurance, means a driver can be insured within minutes, for as little or as long as is needed.
Plan for shade: Driving in hot weather can be exhausting. Before setting off, look at your route and see if there’s anywhere you can pull over and either get a few minutes in the shade outside of the car.
Stay hydrated: Having a thermal water bottle is an ideal way to keep water cool in the car. As fatigue can occur because of dehydration and thirst is a sign of mild dehydration, it’s essential drivers drink water before they feel thirsty.
Get plenty of sleep before setting off: Prevention is better than cure. Aiming to get eight hours of sleep before driving will set you up for safe driving success.
Recognise the signs of fatigue: Fatigue is easy to identify as there are four main warning signs. These include difficulty concentrating, yawning, feeling like your eyelids are ‘heavy,’ and experiencing your eyeballs starting to ‘roll’.
Avoid driving at night: Driving at night has its risks, particularly as data shows 40% of road collisions occur during darkness. Driving after sunset means road markings, pedestrians and cyclists can be harder to see, and it can be harder to judge distances and speeds.
Use caffeine wisely: Energy drinks are a tempting tool to stay alert, however, drivers who are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine could face serious side effects including reduced alertness, control, and mood. Consume caffeine in moderation as it’s not an alternative to sleep or rest.
Stay engaged: Actively scanning the road, anticipating hazards, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings are crucial. If a driver finds any of these difficult, it’s a sign they need an immediate break at the first safe opportunity.

Hopefully these tips help you stay safe on the road when you venture on your next road trip or staycation. Don’t forget, longer car trips are far more manageable and enjoyable when you share the journey. So, if you’re heading on a staycation with your friends or family, make sure you get Veygo’s flexible temporary car insurance, so you can split the drive, helping you have a safe trip.

Get insured within minutes, for as little or as long as you need, to share the driving load on your next staycation.

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What is a Cover Note?

Angharad Evans — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:58:34 +0000

A cover note is a certificate provided by the insurance provider that acts as proof that a driver has valid insurance until the formal confirmation documents have been processed and sent.

Although technological advancements have made the process of receiving your proof-of-insurance certificate almost instant, driving with a valid cover note is perfectly legal and they are still used today in some cases.

Who are Veygo?

Veygo provides flexible, affordable car insurance that can be arranged in minutes for as little or as long as you need, to drive your own car or someone else’s. So, whether you’ve just started learning, recently passed your test or been behind the wheel for a while, we’ve got just the cover you need.

When are cover notes issued?

Cover notes are only issued to road users who have recently bought a car insurance policy and have requested one from their insurance provider.

However, cover notes can also be issued when:

You apply for your insurance over the phone or by post
If you have altered your policy — for example, to cover multiple drivers or remove second and third drivers from your insurance
If a provider is apprehensive about a quote — for example, if they think the car is too dangerous for your age group and want to examine it more closely
There’s a technical fault with an insurance provider’s systems

If you’ve received what appears to be a cover note without requesting one from your insurer, it’s likely to be a counterfeit and should be reported immediately.

What information is in a car insurance cover note?

In order to be valid, you need to double check the information on your cover note. A cover note must include:

Full name
Full address including number, street address and postcode
Vehicle registration and details
Reason as to why the vehicle is being used, such as social, domestic, commuting or all-inclusive
Level of cover and any excess, such as comprehensive, third-part fire and theft and third-party
Policy number
Any special conditions, such as whether it’s a telematics or black box policy
Start dates and expirations dates

Who issues a cover note?

A cover note can’t be obtained by any other insurance provider. Only the insurance provider you agreed a policy with can issue you with a cover note.

You can only drive if you know your cover is being processed. This means either waiting for email confirmation, a certificate or a cover note.

What’s the difference between a certificate of motor insurance and a cover note?

Technically, there is no difference in validity between a certificate of motor insurance and a cover note.

A cover note acts as proof of insurance the same way a certificate of motor insurance does. The only difference is that the cover note is used in place of a full certificate while you’re waiting for your details to be finalized.

How long can you drive with a cover note?

The length of time you can legally use a cover note depends on the insurance provider.

Generally, a cover note is valid for at least a month. However, quicker processing times may mean the amount of time your cover note is valid may be significantly shorter.

If you’re unsure about the process and the validity of your cover note, always check with your provider before setting off.

Looking for temporary car insurance?

Check out Veygo’s flexible and affordable temporary insurance options and get on the road in minutes.

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FAQs

Can a cover note be used as proof of insurance?

Yes, you can use your cover note as proof of insurance.

Your cover note acts as a notice to other drivers or the police that you have paid for insurance coverage, you’re protecting yourself and other road users and that you’re waiting for your documents to be finalised.

When will I receive my cover note?

Nowadays, many big insurance companies will issue you with your certificate via email instantaneously or will send a notice of confirmation within 24 hours.

However, some smaller insurance providers still issue cover notes that will usually arrive by post or by email in three to five working days.

What happens if my certificate doesn’t arrive?

If your certificate doesn’t arrive before the cover note expires, don’t panic.

Get in touch with your insurance provider and they can guide you through next steps, flag issues on their end and double-check your address and delivery details.

This is the quickest way to be issued with a new certificate should it be lost in transit or misplaced by the provider.

Will I need a cover note for a theory or driving test?

You only need to have a cover note, certificate or proof-of-insurance via email if you plan on taking your driving test in your own car.

If you’re taking your test in an instructor’s car, they’ll likely have special insurance that covers learner drivers — so you don’t have to worry.

Are the terms in a cover note the same as the terms in a full policy?

Yes, the terms of the cover note should be identical to the terms agreed on for your full insurance certification.

For example, if you’ve agreed third-party-only insurance, your cover note will cover you for third-party-only as well.

What should I do if there’s a mistake on my cover note?

If you believe there’s an error on your cover note, call your insurance provider.

They can run you through the details that they have on file and you can have them quickly changed if any errors are spotted.

Is a cover note binding?

Legally speaking, a cover note is not a final, binding document.

However, it does bind both parties to cover any liabilities they face in the event of loss during that period.

Are cover notes free?

In the event you should need a cover note, it should be issued by the insurer free of charge.

However, your provider will alert you of any costs prior to issuing you with the note.

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Driving Without Insurance

Angharad Evans — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:03:02 +0000

It’s illegal to drive without insurance – and an extremely serious offence to do so.

It’s also not uncommon for those with insurance to still be penalised for having the wrong details on their policy therefore mistakes can also be costly.

What are the penalties for driving without insurance?

The punishment for driving without insurance is a fixed penalty notice of £300. How many points you’ll incur will depend on the severity of the offence, but it’s usually between 6-8 points.

More severe instances of driving with no insurance – like repeat offences or those in conjunction with other offences like the vehicle having no MOT or not producing a valid driving licence – result in higher penalties.

Should the case reach a criminal court, penalties escalate. Offenders face an unlimited fine and can be disqualified from driving for a minimum of 28 days.

What is the maximum fine for driving without insurance?

There is no maximum fine for driving without insurance.

While the minimum fine for the offence is £300, if the case goes to a criminal court, there’s no upper limit to how high the fine can be.

How can the police tell if you’re driving without insurance?

The police can tell if you’re driving without insurance through number plate recognition.

Police vehicles are often equipped with ANPR cameras that read number plates and tell the officer if the car has valid insurance, MOT and vehicle tax.

If the police stop you on the roadside, they will often perform basic roadside checks. This involves taking a breath sample if they suspect drunk driving and conducting manual insurance checks.

So, just because you’re not caught on camera, doesn’t mean you aren’t still at risk.

Will driving without insurance result in a criminal record?

Driving without insurance is not punishable with prison time – so it won’t flag up as an offence on a criminal record.

However, it is an extremely serious offence and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Those found guilty of the offence still face potentially unlimited fines and driving bans, as well as additional fallout such as higher insurance premiums.

What to do if you’re hit by an uninsured driver

If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, contact your insurance company and the police immediately.

The unfortunate reality of being hit by an uninsured driver is that it’s the ones that abide by the law that are most affected.

If the accident was your fault, an uninsured driver can still claim for damages to their vehicle and personal injury – despite their offence.

If the accident was the fault of the uninsured driver, the entire cost of the claim for both parties is paid for by your insurance.

Luckily, organisations like the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) can help insured drivers claim back some of the money lost when they’ve been hit by an uninsured driver.

Does fully comprehensive insurance cover any car or vehicle you drive?

Fully comprehensive cover alone doesn’t cover you to drive any vehicle other than the one named on your policy.

However, those with fully comprehensive car insurance can opt to add ‘Driving Other Cars (DOC)’ cover to their policy. This lets them drive other roadworthy vehicles when they aren’t the named driver on the primary policy.

When don’t you need car insurance?

You don’t need to pay insurance on a car you’re not using.

If your car is declared as off the road with a V890 form – otherwise known as a Statutory Off-Road Notice (SORN) – you do not need to pay insurance premiums on that vehicle.

You can own a roadworthy car and not pay monthly or yearly premiums. However, you need to make sure that you are covered if you’re using the car on the road.

Temporary insurance policies are the perfect solution for those looking for a more affordable and flexible pay-as-you-go option as you only pay for what you need.

Don’t take the risk of driving without insurance. Get flexible and affordable temporary car insurance today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are ‘special reasons’ for driving without insurance?

There are no exceptions for driving without insurance. No matter the reason, driving without insurance is punishable by fines, bans and even court action.

If your car or vehicle is parked on the road but you’re not driving it, does it need to be insured?

If you’re going to leave a car parked on the road, it must be insured.

As a minimum, drivers must have third-party, fire and theft protection if their car causes damage to another while left on the road.

Am I able to drive on private land in an uninsured vehicle?

Yes, you can.

If the land cannot be accessed by the public – and you own the land – you don’t need any legal documentation to drive a vehicle on private land. However, as soon as you leave that land, even if it’s just for access or exit, you must have appropriate insurance.

Can I drive an uninsured car or van with my insurance?

If you have DOC cover, you can drive a car that’s not insured by any other party.

However, without DOC cover on your car insurance, you need to take out a new policy and be the named driver of the vehicle.

What happens if I get a court summons for driving without insurance?

If you have received a court summons for driving without a licence, there’s a higher likelihood that you’ll face a penalty more than the standard £300 and the 6 points on your licence.

Can I report someone for driving without insurance?

Yes, you can. In fact, it’s recommended that you do so.

If you suspect that someone is driving without insurance – or you know that they are – you should report it to the police as soon as possible.

Should I drive to an MOT without insurance?

No, you shouldn’t.

While there are exceptions for driving with no MOT – as long as the driver can prove they have an MOT test booked and that they are driving to the garage to have the work done – there are no exemptions for driving without insurance.

There is no link between having a valid MOT test and having insurance. To be able to drive legally, you need both.

Can you test drive a car or van without insurance?

In most instances, you can test drive a vehicle without insurance.

Many reputable garages and dealerships have special insurance policies that cover those that test drive vehicles should they get into accidents.

However, if you’re looking at buying a car or van from a private seller, you’ll still need appropriate cover – even if it’s temporary insurance.

Car insurance without the long-term cost

Looking to test drive a vehicle from a private seller, take a day trip or borrow a friend’s car? Veygo Temporary Car Insurance provides quick and convenient cover to get you on the road with peace of mind – and you only pay for what you need.

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