Does your SORN car need insurance? As long as your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition, and you either have tax or plan to tax it, you can choose to take out SORN insurance.
The vehicle must have a current MOT or you’ll need to have a pre-booked MOT appointment to attend for your insurance to be valid.
While SORN insurance isn’t legally required in the UK, many people still decide to insure their vehicles. In this guide, we’ll be discussing why you might consider temporary SORN insurance, as well as some common questions regarding SORN vehicles.
What does SORN mean?
If you own a vehicle that you know you’re not going to be driving for a while, you can officially take it off the road, therefore not subject to paying tax, by completing a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
This will inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you wish to register the vehicle as off-the-road. If you stop paying tax without registering your car with a SORN, you could be fined up to £1,000.
Why would I need to SORN a car?
There are several reasons why you might want to declare a SORN for your vehicle. Perhaps you’ve purchased a classic car to restore, or you’re going away for an extended period and don’t want to sell your car. Some other reasons could include:
- If your car doesn’t have valid insurance
- If you’re purchasing a SORN car (SORN declarations are not transferable, so you’ll need to complete your own)
- If you’re planning to salvage car parts
- If you’re purchasing a car and don’t plan to tax and insure it straight away
- If your road tax has expired and your car has been off the road for more than 14 days
Does my SORN car need insurance?
As your vehicle won’t be driven, there is no legal requirement to insure a SORN car. However, many owners choose to take out insurance to protect against risks like vandalism, theft, or accidental damage. Despite your car being off the road, it is still a substantial financial investment that requires protection.
It’s important not to confuse SORN and ‘off the road’. If your car is off the road but not declared SORN, you must have the right insurance in place. If you’re found to be keeping a vehicle without insurance that isn’t SORN, you could be charged a fixed penalty fee.
When you want to use your car on the road again, remember that you will need a valid MOT, tax and temporary car insurance if you only need to use it for a short amount of time.
What to consider before taking out SORN insurance
As a vehicle owner, you should consider several factors before insuring your SORN car. These include the value of the vehicle, the likelihood of risks while it’s stored, and the duration of the SORN status.
These considerations are often weighed against the potential costs of replacing or repairing the vehicle, should something happen while it’s uninsured and off the road.
Many insurers have specialist policies to suit your requirements. Our temporary SORN insurance is designed for cars that are kept on a drive, in a garage or secure building. We provide cover for accidental damage, too.
The cost of SORN insurance is typically much lower than your average car insurance premium. This is because you’ll be unlikely to cause an accident while your car is off the road and not moving!
Can I drive my SORN vehicle?
You cannot drive a SORN car on any public road, even if you have SORN insurance. If you do, you will be committing an offence and could face prosecution and be fined up to £2,500.
The only exception to driving a SORN car is if you’re headed to a pre-booked MOT appointment. It’s advised that you have your proof of appointment with you just in case the police stop you en route.
Does SORN cancel my original insurance policy?
Declaring a SORN won’t automatically cancel your existing car insurance policy. If you wish to cancel, you’ll need to do it the usual way and you may be charged a cancellation fee.
If you’re planning to SORN your car for a long period, taking out SORN insurance is your best option as it’s likely to help you cut costs. However, your SORN policy won’t cover you for driving, so you’ll need to cancel your SORN and change your insurance before getting back on the road.
Get temporary SORN insurance with Tempcover
Whether you’re looking for temporary car insurance for your existing motor or require extra peace of mind for your SORN vehicle, our highly skilled team is on hand to provide you with a flexible policy.
To find out more about how much your SORN car could cost to insure, get a quote with us online today. Alternatively, if you have any questions or need further advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re more than happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my car back on the road after SORN?
Yes, you’re welcome to put your car back on the road after declaring it as SORN. To do this, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Tax your vehicle: You need to tax your motor before you can drive it on public roads. You can do this by visiting the UK government’s website, at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax, or by phone.
- Insurance: Ensure your vehicle has valid insurance. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in penalties.
- MOT: If your vehicle is over three years old, it must have a valid MOT certificate. If the MOT has expired while the vehicle was declared SORN, you will need to get it tested and certified.
- Update records: Ensure the DVLA records are up to date with the vehicle’s tax, insurance and MOT status.
Will I lose my no claims if I SORN my car?
We recommend you check with your insurer about their specific rules regarding the preservation of your No-Claims discount (NCD) during the period where your vehicle is declared SORN.
Most insurers allow a gap of up to two years between policies where your No-Claims discount will still be valid. If you exceed this without holding a valid insurance policy, you may lose your NCD.
How long can I SORN my car for?
There is no maximum time limit for how long a vehicle can be declared as SORN. Your car remains in that status until you take action to tax it and return it to the road.
Unlike some other notifications or registrations, you won’t need to renew the SORN status, either.
What does SORN stand for?
Statutory Off Road Notification.
