AA Insurance has predicted that car insurance premiums are set to rise for motorists who flout the law by using hand held mobile phones whilst driving.

In a new survey the car insurance company has found that car owners who are deemed, by the police, to be in contravention of mobile phone use laws could face a possible 18% rise in their insurance premiums. In some instances motor insurance companies have even rejected applications from mobile phone offenders.

As well as incurring the wrath of insurance providers there is a strong possibility that an offending motorist will be hit with a £60 fine, three penalty points and a charge of other driving related offences. Any car owner who is convicted of careless driving may find that some insurance firm’s will not hesitate to increase premiums by as much as 50%

An AA spokesperson pointed out that if a motorist is involved in an accident the police will normally take an interest in the driver’s phone records to determine how the use of the phone may have impaired the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.

It is estimated that the unlawful use of mobile phones will lead to UK drivers paying an extra £5 million for higher insurance premiums.