New research has warned that car insurance policies cost £369 more for those caught holding and using their phone while driving. The study says that the median insurance price for those with no motoring offences on their policy was £625 in 2023, however, this jumps to £994 for those issued with a penalty for using a device while driving.[1]

The figures come from Go.Compare Car Insurance, who reviewed the median prices for policies bought through their site last year. It evaluated the prices for drivers with no offences on their policy and those with at least one CU80 offence (which is the breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, such as using a mobile phone), highlighting the £369 difference.

Drivers caught holding and using their phone at the wheel could also receive a £200 fine, meaning those who check their phone as they drive could be left £569 worse off as a result. The comparison site warned drivers that they must inform their insurer if they receive a penalty, or they could invalidate their policy.

As part of the study, over a quarter (27%) of drivers admitted to holding and using their phones while behind the wheel when asked anonymously.[2] It’s estimated that this is equivalent to approximately 11.4 million motorists in Great Britain. With over one in four drivers admitting to using their phone, it’s likely that drivers will encounter someone who uses a device when on the road.[3]

A concerning detail of this is that those who drive the most frequently are the most likely to check their phone on the road. The comparison site said that 45% of those who drive daily admitted to using their phone. In contrast, under a third (28%) of those who drive only once or twice a week made the same confession.[2]

Perhaps surprisingly, the findings revealed that younger motorists are the least likely to swipe as they drive. Despite having a reputation as irresponsible drivers, only 14% of drivers under 25 said they’ve used a phone at the wheel. Those aged 55 and over are also among the least likely to check their device while driving, with just a fifth admitting to this.

Drivers between the ages of 25 and 54 were found to be much more likely to use their phone while driving, with 25-39s being the main culprits – 39% of those from this age range confessed to checking their device. Men are also slightly more likely to check their phones than women, with 31% of male motorists admitting to this compared to just under a quarter (23%) of women.

Tom Banks, a car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It’s alarming that such a significant number of motorists are taking such a dangerous gamble. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see a driver holding their device while on the road, and that poses a serious risk to everyone’s safety, as it means that an incident is statistically much more likely to occur.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of resisting temptation and leaving your phone untouched while behind the wheel – it simply isn’t worth the safety consequences. Then there’s the financial repercussions, too. Getting caught could leave you over £500 worse off, so it’s just not worth the risk. If you really need to use your phone, pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so before picking up your device.”

More figures on drivers using mobile phones can be found on Go.Compare’s website.