COMPULSORY INSURANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 27

COMPULSORY INSURANCE

There are traps for the unwary in the compulsory insurance which 'is now being issued to motorists. Drivers are warned to read the schedulo of fees very carefully. Unless care is exercised there will be mistakes where private cars are used for business. The feo for a motorcar used purely for, pleasure is £1, but if the vehicle is used only occasionally "for the purpose of any trade or business" the rate is £1 10s. The cars of doctors and social workers are excopted. Hundreds of drivers may unwittingly make a false declaration in this respect, and a penalty up to £10 a day is provided. Further, if a car for which a £1 premium has been paid is used for business, the insurance oflico may recover the amount of any claim from the owner. The motorist may also become liable for the full cost of any claim if he admits liability, .or makes an offer without consent of the insurance company. Cunpulstfry insurance is not intended to wrovide a benevolent fund for distribution to persons who may be injured through their own carolessness. It does not furnish compensation if there- has been no negligence on the part

of tho driver. For.;instanc'e', an intoxi-. cated pedestrian wlip. reels into the. path of a car has no:elaini.,: A "jaywalker" who puts a;driver in" a. position where accident 1 is unavoidable has no 'righ'tj'.ito'': compensation".- , On ;' the. other/ hand-;the insurance .remains with.vtho car for the period of 'th'e'ijumb.er-plntes/ and it is effective whether. tho vehicle Js driven by. the owner 'or by some irrc"sponsib'lcl;or.'unauthorised person. .-•It is -important that the owner of a private car should remember that if he has paid a fee of £1 ho commits an offence if he.lends his car to a friend who uses">it fpr a few hours :to follow any)activity in connection with a trado or business.