Insuring Off-Road Vehicles: Tag-Based Policies

If you own an off-road vehicle with a tag, you may be wondering where to insure it. In the UK, you can insure your off-road vehicle with a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This allows you to stop taxing and insuring your vehicle if it is kept off the road, for example, in a garage, on a driveway, or on private land. You can apply for a SORN online, by phone, or by post. It is important to note that a SORN does not transfer from one owner to another, so if you buy a vehicle with a SORN, you must complete a new one in your name. Additionally, separate rules apply for the motor trade, and you don't need to insure or SORN vehicles that are only temporarily in your possession if you are a motor trader or vehicle tester.

Off-road insurance covers damage to your vehicle, theft, fire, and vandalism

Off-road insurance is an important consideration for any vehicle owner. It can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of unexpected incidents. Comprehensive coverage is an optional insurance policy that covers damage to your vehicle not related to collisions. This includes off-road situations, where your vehicle may encounter unique challenges and risks.

Comprehensive insurance covers a range of scenarios, including natural disasters, storms, damage caused by hitting an animal, fire, and theft. It is often referred to as "fire and theft insurance," reflecting its focus on these specific risks. This type of coverage is particularly relevant for off-road vehicles, as it can protect your investment even when the vehicle is not in motion.

Fire-related incidents are a significant concern for vehicle owners. Comprehensive insurance covers fire damage resulting from various causes, such as engine fires due to mechanical or wiring defects, or fires started by thieves to hide evidence of theft. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance may have specific inclusions and exclusions for fire damage claims, so reviewing your policy details is essential. Supplemental fire insurance can also be purchased to fill any gaps in coverage.

Theft is another worry for off-road vehicle owners. Comprehensive insurance provides coverage if your vehicle is stolen and damaged, stripped for parts, or abandoned. It is worth noting that comprehensive insurance typically does not cover personal belongings inside the vehicle unless additional property coverage is purchased.

Vandalism is also included in comprehensive insurance coverage. Vandalism refers to the intentional destruction or damage to a vehicle and can take many forms, such as scratches, dents, broken windows, and slashed tires. Comprehensive insurance will reimburse you for these types of damage, minus any deductible, as intentional damage to your vehicle is beyond your control.

When choosing off-road insurance, it is important to consider the specific needs of your vehicle and the potential risks it may encounter. Comprehensive coverage can provide a valuable safety net, protecting your investment from damage, theft, fire, and vandalism. By understanding the inclusions and exclusions of your policy, you can make informed decisions about your coverage and ensure you have the necessary protection for your off-road vehicle.

You can declare your vehicle off-road online, by phone, or by post

If you own a vehicle but no longer want to drive or park it on a public road, you must legally declare it 'off-road' with a Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN. Failure to do so can result in fines and penalties for being uninsured or untaxed.

To apply online, you'll need the 16-digit reference number from your V11 road tax renewal reminder or the 11-digit reference from your car's V5C logbook. The DVLA SORN form online is straightforward and can be found on the GOV.UK website.

To apply by phone, call the DVLA on 0300 123 4321. You can also call this number for the DVLA vehicle service if you have any queries.

To apply by post, use form V890, available from the Post Office, and mail it to:

DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, fill in the appropriate part of the logbook and send it with the V890 form. If you don't have the V5C, fill in form V62 (which has a fee) and send it with the V890.

You can only drive your off-road vehicle to a pre-booked MOT appointment

If you own an off-road vehicle, you must legally declare it as such with a Statutory Off-Road Notification, or SORN. By doing so, you are notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that your vehicle is not being used on public roads and that you do not need to insure or tax it. This is because, in the UK, it is mandatory to have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads or in public places.

There are several reasons why you might want to declare your vehicle as off-road. For instance, you may have bought a classic car that you wish to restore in your garage, or perhaps you're going away for a long period and don't want to sell your car. Other reasons include delays in renewing your insurance policy or buying a vehicle that needs to be kept off the road.

It's important to note that failure to declare your vehicle as off-road with a SORN could result in fines and penalties for being uninsured or untaxed. Additionally, you can only drive a vehicle with a SORN on a public road to go to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointments. Driving it for any other reason could result in court prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

To make a SORN, you can do so online, by phone, or by post. The process is straightforward, and you'll need your vehicle's registration number, make and model details, and either the 16-digit reference number from your road tax renewal reminder or the 11-digit reference from your car's logbook.

In summary, if you have an off-road vehicle, remember to declare it as such with a SORN to avoid any penalties. You can then legally drive it to a pre-booked MOT appointment, ensuring your vehicle remains roadworthy and compliant with legal requirements.

You must insure and tax your vehicle if you do not have a SORN declaration

If you own a vehicle, but no longer want to drive or park it on a public road, you must legally declare it 'off road' with a Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN. This is a notification to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you are taking your vehicle off the road and want to stop taxing and insuring it. Failure to do so could result in a fine and other penalties for being uninsured or untaxed.

A vehicle is considered 'off the road' if it is not kept or used on a public road, for example, if it is in a garage, on a drive, or on private land. You must make a SORN in the following situations:

• Your vehicle is not taxed
• Your vehicle is not insured (even for a short time, for example, because there is a delay in renewing your policy)
• You want to break a vehicle down for parts before you scrap it
• You buy or receive a vehicle and want to keep it off the road (a SORN declaration is not transferable from the previous owner)

If you do not have a SORN, you must insure and tax your vehicle. If you do not, you will automatically be fined £80 for not having a SORN, in addition to a fine for having an uninsured vehicle.

You can make a SORN online, by phone, or by post. To make a SORN, you will need your car's registration number, make and model details, and either the 16-digit reference number from your V11 road tax renewal reminder or the 11-digit reference from your car's V5C logbook. Alternatively, you can use form V890, available from the Post Office, and mail it to the DVLA in Swansea.

You can check your vehicle's SORN status online

If you own a vehicle but no longer want to drive or park it on a public road, you must legally declare it 'off road' with a Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN. Failure to do so could result in a fine and other penalties for being uninsured or untaxed.

If you're not sure how to SORN a car, you can do so by phone, post, or online. To do so online, you'll need the following:

• Your car's registration number
• Make and model details
• 16-digit reference number from your V11 road tax renewal reminder or the 11-digit reference from your car's V5C logbook

If you don't have the information above, you can use form V890 (available from the Post Office) and mail it to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR

You can also phone the DVLA on 0300 123 4321.

Frequently asked questions