UK motorists should make sure that they keep copies of their motor insurance documents in their car, so that they don't risk an unnecessary fine and confiscation should they get stopped by police, an industry expert has said.

James Harrison, chief executive of insurance comparison site Insurancewide.com, says that a recent case when a Direct Line customer had her father's car wrongly confiscated due to a system error highlights the importance of staying one step ahead of such "sluggish" insurance companies.

Insurers are required to submit updated insurance details to the Motor Insurance Database within ten days of purchase.

"This is a case of guilty until proven innocent," Mr Harrison commented.

"If an insurer is late in reporting a new policy owner's details to the Motor Insurance Database then the unsuspecting driver could mistakenly be deemed 'uninsured' and then fined if stopped by police.

"Every driver can avoid this hassle and embarrassment by simply keeping photocopied proof of insurance in the glove compartment as soon as they receive the certificate from the insurer.

"Ideally more insurers will offer customers the option of requesting an electronic copy of the policy as soon as it has been purchased," he added.

In January of next year, insurers will be required to update insurance details in the Motor Insurance Database within seven days of purchase.