Automated Cars and Insurance

From July 1st, new rules on the use of self-driving vehicles in Great Britain have come into force. The changes are included in a new section in The Highway Code which can be accessed for free on GOV.UK.

No vehicles in Great Britain have been classed as self-driving yet but they could start to be as soon as next year. Any that are classed as self-driving will be listed on GOV.UK.

Believe it or not, self-driving vehicles have actually been in development since the 1930’s. It was more like a remote controlled car, but the idea was there and over 90 years later, there is promise that they will be on the road in no time.

Research has suggested sensor-loaded cars are poised to reduce accidents by 90 percent, and ride sharing or ride-hailing trends were pointing toward decreased vehicle ownership. There is an inevitability of falling Insurance premium rates as there will be more responsibility placed on the technology and car manufacturer than the car owner. It will be essential for the manufacturers to get insurance for technology errors & omissions and cyber liability.

An alarming experiment by a writer at Wired found that hackers could access the data of the customers, find out their driving locations and even take control of the vehicle.

Despite the public accidents and experiments, manufacturers have of course been working tremendously hard to make these vehicles effective, safe and efficient for people to use which is why the Highway Code is changing to incorporate self-driving vehicles.

The changes to the Code will help ensure the new technology will be used safely, explaining clearly that while travelling in self-driving mode, motorists must be ready to resume control in a timely way if they are prompted to – such as when they approach motorway exits. It also includes details about appropriate insurance needed for self-driving cars. Insurance cover for self-driving cars must offer protection for both times when the driver is in control and when the vehicle is in charge, according to new proposals from the UK government.

The plans also include a change to current regulation, allowing drivers to view content which is not related to driving on built-in display screens, while the self-driving vehicle is in control.

It will however, still be illegal to use mobile phones in self-driving mode, given the greater risk they pose in distracting drivers as shown in research.

The government is working with the manufacturer, retailer and leasing industries to ensure that anyone accessing a self-driving vehicle will receive advice on how to use it.

It’s important that everyone – not just learner drivers – understands their responsibility for their own safety and that of other road users. You can read the full version of The Highway Code is available, free of charge, on GOV.UK. 

The Highway Code is updated regularly so it’s really important you keep up-to-date with changes. GOV.UK includes a list of the latest updates that have been made, so it’s quick and easy to see what has changed. If you’ve not already done so, you can sign up to receive email updates of any future Highway Code changes.

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Talbot Jones Ltd incorporates March Insurance Services, a Chartered Insurance Broker specialising in Agricultural and Hospitality Risks.