The National Party has outlined plans to require car insurer details to be displayed on registration labels to encourage more drivers to take out insurance and make it easier to process claims.

Aside from requiring car insurer details on car registration labels, the National Party will require uninsured drivers – including those without third-party car insurance – to display the word “uninsured” on their registration label.

National Party Leader Judith Collins explained that they want to label uninsured cars to easily identify them, making it quicker to sort out damage claims.

“Thousands of responsible Kiwis end up out of pocket or taking legal action because of the irresponsible actions of uninsured drivers,” said Judith Collins.

“Uninsured drivers cost responsible drivers millions of dollars, National doesn’t believe that’s fair. Many people think vehicle insurance should be compulsory, but that would be expensive and difficult to enforce. We have another idea to make it easier when you’re involved in a crash.”

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The National Party plans to link the motor vehicle database with insurer details.

“This will solve the problem of some drivers who lie about their insurance status to protect their excess,” said Collins. “If anyone was involved in an accident with you, you could literally walk over and see who their insurer was.”

National’s transport spokesperson Chris Bishop said drivers would not be required to take out insurance. However, their insurance status would be checked annually.

“By applying a bit of nudge theory, we believe it is highly likely to increase insurance uptake, because who wants to drive around with an ‘uninsured’ vehicle sticker in their window?”