UK Car Insurance News

Moneysupermarket voted cheapest for car insurance

2008-03-18T14:52:00.001Z

A new survey has confirmed Moneysupermarket.com as the best price comparison site for motor insurance.

The results of the survey, conducted by the independent market research group Ipsos MORI, showed that Moneysupermarket returned the lowest car insurance premiums for nearly twice as many profiles as its nearest competitor.

The survey used mystery shoppers to compare 100 quotes for different makes, models and ages of car at postcodes from across the UK with the six main insurance comparison sites including moneysupermarket, Tesco Compare, Confused, Gocompare, comparethemarket and Uswitch.

A spokesperson for Ipsos MORI commented on the survey results... "Findings from the mystery shopping exercise showed moneysupermarket.com is almost twice as likely to provide the cheapest annual premium for motor insurance compared with other leading comparison sites. In 42 out of 100 tests, it delivered the best, or equal to best, quote in terms of price: this is well ahead of its nearest rival."

Managing director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, Richard Mason added... "Ipsos MORI's findings confirm drivers can rely on and trust moneysupermarket.com to find them the best insurance deals. We obtain quotes from 60 different insurers and insurance brokers which is why we are able to find highly competitive premiums across all areas of the market."

These results together with those from other market research confirm that consumers shouldn't just rely on their existing insurer or the most visible brands to offer the best deals. Comparing your needs and circumstances with as much of the market as possible is often the most effective way to ensure you get value for money from your motor insurance.

UK drivers waste almost �2 billion on car insurance

2008-03-04T14:15:00.006Z

The UK's 34 million motorists are paying almost �2 billion a year more than necessary on annual motor insurance premiums by not shopping around for cover online, according to swiftcover car insurance.

Swiftcover was found to have quoted cheaper premiums more often than any other insurer on the price comparison website moneysupermarket.com in 2007. Motorists could save hundreds of pounds on their renewal premiums by simply spending thirty minutes online comparing premiums from multiple insurers using a price comparison site like moneysupermarket, gocompare or comparethemarket.

Marketing Director at Swiftcover.com, Tina Shortle commented... "With household bills rising ever higher, it seems crazy that UK consumers should willingly waste over �1.9 billion by sticking with the same old insurer year after year. Smart consumers know that an online insurance company is likely to be cheaper because it doesn't have to pay hundreds of call centre staff and can pass on the savings to its customers."

Top Tips for Saving Money on Car Insurance

In addition to shopping around at renewal time, drivers can lower their premiums even more by trying some or all of these steps...

Choose a car from a lower insurance group. All cars have an insurance rating of 1-20 given by the Association of British Insurers. The more expensive and powerful the car is the higher it's rating will be. A group 1 car would be a very small and cheap model and a group 20 car would be a powerful or expensive model.
Drive a smaller car. If your car is worth �5,000 rather than �50,000, it will cost your insurer ten times less to replace if it is stolen or written off. Reducing the risk to the insurer has the same effect on your premiums.
Don't pay for policy features you won't use. For example, many policies automatically add an extra charge for overseas cover or a courtesy car. Check what your policy does cover and remove the options you don't want. Consider budget or no-frills policies from providers like Tesco Value Insurance and Norwich Union Simple Cover.
Average the risk by adding your spouse. You can cut your premiums simply by adding your spouse to your policy if he/she has a clean driving record.
Pay more to save more. Again, reducing the risk to the insurer by agreeing to pay a larger excess will often reduce your premium.
Buy online. Insurers who operate mostly online should have lower overheads which often means lower premiums for customers.
Some insurers offer discounts for extra security devices like alarms, immobilisers or tracking devices.
If you have a drive or garage, park your car there for lower premiums.
Don't assume that because your original quote was cheap your renewal premium will be the same. Insurers often provide discounts to new customers which aren't repeated at renewal time. Go online and compare your renewal premium against the market.
Go green. Some insurers including Swiftcover.com offer a 10% discount for owners of environmentally friendly hybrid cars like a Honda Civic, Lexis GS, Lexus RX and Toyota Prius.

Moneysupermarket highlights rising car insurance premiums

2008-02-13T15:58:00.003Z

Research carried out by Moneysupermarket.com has revealed a rise in UK car insurance premiums by 4.5% in the second half of 2007.

Figures collected from insurance price comparisons at Moneysupermarket.com from 2006 through to the first half of 2007 showed an average lowest premium at a constant �290, but then increasing for the second half of 2007 to �303.

Research conducted during March and September showed that 64 different providers all quoted the most competitive premium at some point, but Swiftcover and Post Office car insurance were the cheapest most frequently.

Director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, Richard Mason said: "As an internet-only provider, Swiftcover has a price advantage over many of its rivals because its overheads are so low. But it is great to see the Post Office and the RAC also being very competitive."

The research also revealed that the average lowest premium for male motorists rose by 4.9% to �320 in the second half of 2007, while premiums for female drivers increased to �279, a 4.1% rise. Drivers in their sixties were confirmed as paying the lowest premiums whilst females in their thirties have enjoyed consistently lower car insurance costs than those in their forties for the last two years.

�50 cash back with Post Office car insurance

2008-02-13T15:38:00.002Z

The Post Office is offering �50 cash back on it's car insurance policy from 1st February until 30th June 2008.

To qualify for the cash back bonus, customers simply need to get a quote for Post Office car insurance either online, at a local Post Office or by calling free on 0800 169 6500.

Phil Ashkuri, Post Office insurance director, said: "We advise people to look carefully when choosing new insurance cover as many providers may offer great promotions but the detail of the policy may not deliver the right level of cover or value for money."

The Post Office Car Insurance policy includes:

A free courtesy car
Repairs guaranteed for three years
Free windscreen repair service
24 hour claims helpline
New replacement car if yours is stolen or damaged beyond repair and is less than 12 months old
Cover for driving in the EU for up to 60 days

Motor insurance certificates to be delivered by email

2007-11-15T10:49:00.000Z

Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick MP has announced that action is to be taken to allow consumers to receive their motor insurance certificates by email.

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) has been calling for a change in the law so that customers can benefit from new technology and receive their motor insurance certificates electronically.

The ABI's Assistant Director of Property, Motor and Liability, Justin Jacobs said...

"This announcement will have significant benefits for motorists. Enabling the use of the latest technology will improve customer service and will bring insurance technology into line with other industries."

"The insurance industry will in the future be able to provide quicker, more convenient and more reliable delivery of these important documents to their customers. And the move will save the industry between �5-10m a year. Electronic delivery also has the benefit of being more environmentally friendly."

Tesco Compare rated best car insurance comparison site

2007-11-01T16:34:00.001Z

The independent research company Defaqto has rated Tesco Compare top after an analysis of 17 motor insurance comparison sites, assessing them for functionality and usability.

TescoCompare.com which is backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland and launched in September 2007, received the highest score of all tested sites with a rating of 87% and highlighting the site as offering 'the best overall service to consumers'.

Peter Dingle, Managing Director at TescoCompare.com commented... "We are delighted with the outcome of this report, which is a great result for consumers and us alike. The Defaqto report vindicates the stance TescoCompare.com took when launching our car insurance comparison site. Our users are able to type in all of their details to guarantee they get the right level of cover for their individual needs. Unlike other sites, we do not believe in pre-selecting certain criteria for them, such as fixing the amount of voluntary excess, with the sole aim to keep quotes artificially low".

Tesco has worked with it's participating insurance partners to ensure that premiums quoted on the site are what customers will be paying without any assumptions. TescoCompare.com currently quotes policies from around 30 insurers, such as Churchill, More Than, Sheilas Wheels and many others. TescoCompare.com is expected to extend the number of its range participating partners in the near future.

Motorists in london and north-west pay highest car insurance premiums

2007-10-24T12:36:00.001+01:00

Motorists in London and North West England pay the most to insure their cars, according to research from moneysupermarket motor insurance, whilst Dundee, Aberdeen and Exeter are the cheapest in the UK.

The research found that the most expensive area in the UK to get a Ford Focus insured is East London with annual premiums around �315, compared with a premium of �116 for the same car in Dundee.

Director of insurance at Moneysupermerket.com, Richard Mason, commented... "It's not surprising premiums are high in the inner city area of East London, where crime can be prevalent. Car insurers looks at the rate of car crime, the type of car you drive, your age and whether your area has drivers classed as 'high-risk' or particularly prone to accidents. There are no hard and fast rules though, so even if you live in an area where the incidence of car crime is low, you could suffer high premiums because of the number of reckless drivers in your town. It is astonishing that it costs an extra �199 to 'park on a driveway' in East London compared with Dundee. I would call on insurers to assess premiums on a case by case basis, rather than blacklisting places such as London, Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester as 'high-risk'."

Whilst areas of the North West pay more, parts of the South West such as Exeter, Truro, Taunton and Bristol all feature among the ten cheapest areas for car insurance in the UK.

These differences highlight the importance of shopping around for motor insurance rather than just accepting your renewal premium. Many of the insurance price comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket, Compare the Market and Gocompare make it easy to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies in one go.

Sainsburys Bank study highlights rising car insurance premiums

2007-09-26T10:41:00.000+01:00

The latest figures from Sainsburys Bank Car Insurance Index have revealed a steady trend of rising premiums during the twelve months to July 2007.

The index, which provides an independent analysis of online car insurance premiums across the market, showed an average premium in July 2007 of �486, an increase of 2.9% on December 2006 and 4.2% on July 2006. Over the 12 month study period, the average premium increased by �19.80.

Sainsburys Car Insurance Manager, Lucy Hunter, commented... "Premiums have been rising steadily and it has been predicted that this year, they could increase by as much as 10%. However, by shopping around, you can still reduce your premiums significantly. Unfortunately, many motorists are not prepared to shop around. Our research shows that one in five motorists only obtained one quote the last time they bought car insurance and of those who did not obtain more quotes, 19% said it was because they could not be bothered or didn't have enough time."

The study also revealed that gender continues to have an impact on car insurance costs, with male motorists paying an average premium of �518.46 as opposed to �442.28 for women drivers. In fact, the average car insurance premium for men increased by 5.2% as opposed to 3.1% for women between July 2006 and July 2007.

As you might expect, age maintains a huge influence on the premiums you pay. Unsurprisingly, motorists under age 25 saw the largest increase in their car insurance premiums, rising by 6.4% since December 2006, and 11.2% since July 2006. However, motorists over the age of 65 saw their premiums increase by just 0.79% and 2.7% respectively, the smallest increase of any age group.

Brits are clueless about their car insurance

2007-08-02T14:05:00.000+01:00

More than 10% of British motorists have no idea what they are paying for when buying car insurance, according to research from online motor insurer Easy Money car insurance.

In addition to 11% of motorists admitting they didn't have any idea what their car insurance covers, the easyMoney and YouGov research revealed that another 14% don't think they would be covered if their car was stolen and 15% wouldn't expect to be covered against fire. In fact, everyone with comprehensive or third party, fire and theft car insurance would be insured for fire and theft. Female motorists are the least aware with 14% oblivious to what their premiums are paying for. Whilst not understanding what is covered by their car insurance, 68% said they were confident that it provided value for money cover.

With so much choice and policy options available, it could be that many motorists are paying for cover they don't need. The study showed that in the last five years, 79% haven't required a replacement windscreen and 96% didn't need to replace a lost or broken key, so many motorists could save money by thinking about what cover they really value and what they could do without.

And it appears that motor insurers are making an attempt to cater for this with a number of no-frills car insurance policies launched to meet the demand for flexible cover. In addition to easyMoney, Norwich Union Simple Cover and Tesco Value car insurance are two of the most recent additions to this new sector of the market. Both policies offer motorists comprehensive cover with many policy options stripped out. Be aware of higher excesses though and always read the small print.

This comes at a time when many people are looking to cut back on spending with over two thirds of people (36%) saying they intend to save money during 2007. Yet again, women are leading the way with 41% looking to economise.

Flouting mobile phone laws could increase your car insurance premiums

2007-07-04T12:46:00.000+01:00

Motorists who ignore the stricter laws on mobile phone use while driving could face steep increases in car insurance costs if caught and fined according to motor insurance specialist, Admiral car insurance.

UK police forces are cracking down on motorists who continue using their phone while behind the wheel and those caught doing so not only receive a �60 fine, but also get three points endorsed on their driving licence. Admiral's research reveals that this could result in premium increases of up to �100 a year for those caught.

Managing director at Admiral, Sue Longthorn, commented, "If you receive a motoring conviction, no matter what offence it is for, you must inform your car insurance company. This will often result in a higher renewal premium because evidence shows that people with motoring convictions are a higher insurance risk."

It may still be early days with the new mobile phones laws, but if you are caught by the police be aware that you will face the cost of a fine and higher premiums. Motorists should consider the full financial consequences before deciding to use their phone illegally when driving.

The level of the insurance costs is highlighted by the following example. A married male aged 28 and working as an Accountant, living in East Sussex, driving a 2003 Vauxhall Astra would pay around �245 for car insurance. If he receives a conviction for using a mobile phone while driving, the three points increase his premium by 19% to �292. If this conviction is in addition to a previous speeding fine, the six points on his licence will increase his premiums further by 42% to around �349.

The research from Admiral's Annual Survey of over 1,000 motorists found that 33% still use their mobile phones illegally while driving, down from 37% the previous year. Illegal use of a mobile phone is more common among men, with 36% saying they break the law, compared with 30% of women. Even so, 91% of motorists agree with the ban.

For further information on car insurance including money saving articles and customer reviews visit the car insurance companies index.

Ten percent of motorists lie to their car insurance company

2007-06-26T13:33:00.000+01:00

According to research by the Motor Insurance Bureau, an estimated 10% of UK motorists lie to their insurer when buying car insurance in an attempt to get a cheaper quote. Now specialist insurer Admiral Car Insurance is warning drivers to tell the truth or risk losing cover.

Whilst the magnitude of lies people tell their insurer varies, anyone who is found out risks having their insurance cancelled. Like other insurers, Admiral cancels hundreds of policies every year because they discover policyholders have lied when buying their motor insurance.

Managing director at Admiral, Sue Longthorn, said: "Some motorists think that by telling a small lie they can get a cheaper quote. In reality they are committing fraud. An insurance policy is a legal contract so its vital that you are honest, or that contract can be claimed invalid and cancelled."

Admiral has compiled a list of the five most common ways people fib to their insurers:

Not declaring motoring convictions. This is by far the most common reason why policies are cancelled. Drivers with convictions tend to be poor drivers and so pay more for their insurance. You must tell your insurer if you have had a motoring conviction of any kind in the last five years.

Not disclosing car modifications. Modifications to a car that affect its performance or appearance changes the insurance risk. Any modifications made to your car by you or a previous owner must be declared to avoid invalidating your cover.

Insuring a young driver's car in the name of an older driver. Also known as 'fronting' this usually involves a parent insuring their child?s car. Younger drivers are a higher risk for insurance companies because they are generally less experienced and have more accidents.

Undeclared claims. An insurer needs to know your insurance history including any accidents or claims you have had in the previous three years, even if the claim was settled or wasn?t your fault.

Incorrect driving licences. Only certain types of driving licence are acceptable to some insurers. Most will only accept full licences from the EU and a few other countries. If you only have a provisional licence you must declare this to your insurer and make sure you have a named driver with a full licence on your policy.

Sue Longthorn, said: "Insurance companies have become much better at finding out if motorists are lying, and we have a number of ways of investigating anyone we think might not have told the truth. We are not trying to catch people out, but people must realise they have to be honest with their insurer. They might think a little white lie is harmless, but it could end up costing them a lot more in the long run."

Over 2 million drivers would commit fraud to ensure a successful insurance claim

2007-03-31T21:31:00.000+01:00

Research commissioned by Moneysupermarket.com found that a hardcore of 2.5 million GB motorists would commit fraud rather than risk jeopardising a car insurance claim.

The survey by YouGov, asked UK motorists what they would do if they forgot to lock their car and it was stolen. Less than one in five (18%) said they would disclose the full facts without being pressed and 41% would own up to their mistake if asked, while a further 26% would withhold the truth until they felt the pressure was too much.

Richard Mason, managing director of insurance at Moneysupermarket.com, said: ?It?s extremely worrying that one in three drivers would actively attempt a cover-up if their carelessness led to a claim.

?People may not see the omission of certain facts as fraud, but if these facts helped lead to the claim then that?s exactly what it is. We would urge all drivers to tell the full truth; insurance fraud is a criminal offence and the overall consequences could be far more costly than the sums they are trying to salvage by being economical with the truth.

?A conviction for fraud will leave a lasting impression on the individual?s life and the insurance industry may well refuse to cover them in future, meaning they can no longer drive at all.?

The results also showed that men are more likely to withhold the truth with 11% professing total innocence compared to 6% of women drivers. Welsh drivers are most honest, with 25% saying they would tell all without prompting, compared with 10% of those from the North East. Scottish motorists were the least likely to refuse to give full details under pressure, with only 5% choosing non-disclosure.

Richard Mason added: ?Insurance companies are often seen as the bad guys, but there are two sides and drivers need to own up to their mistakes. In such circumstances, insurers will assess the full details of the claim and are generally pretty reasonable when it comes to paying out.?

Most competitive car insurance policies revealed

2007-03-07T16:59:00.000Z

The price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, today reveals the top ten most competitive motor insurers throughout 2006, with swiftcover car insurance emerging as the most consistently low-cost brand.

From an analysis of over three million premiums quoted through Moneysupermarket.com?s car insurance comparison service in 2006, swiftcover.com returned the cheapest average premium for all drivers at �276*.

Other names that made the top five were Post Office, Zurich, More Than and Liverpool Victoria. Big brands such as Barclays car insurance and the RAC also made the top ten, as well as supermarket bank, Sainsbury?s.

Richard Mason, managing director of insurance at price comparison website, Moneysupermarket.com, said: ?It is not surprising to see the younger, nimbler online insurers providing consistently competitive premiums given their lower overheads when compared with the traditional insurers. It is encouraging however, that some of the big names such as Barclays and RAC are still committed to offering consistent good value, but they are not quite able to pip swiftcover.com to the top spot.?

The research also reveals that Debenhams, not a well-known player in the motor insurance market, offers the most expensive average quote for all drivers. The average premium quoted throughout 2006 was nearly �1,500 ? over five times more expensive than swiftcover.com on average. And despite building up a name in the motor insurance industry for being the ?fourth emergency service?, AA Insurance languishes at the bottom of the tables.

Richard Mason continued: ?It's disappointing to see a big motor insurance brand, such as AA Insurance, at the bottom of the table. With well-known brands, such as RBS saying its customers will see double digit percentage hikes in their premiums this year, millions of motorists need to be careful when it comes to renewing their policies and they could receive hefty renewal quotes.

?With fair-weather insurers changing their pricing strategies overnight to meet their business targets, consistency is a useful gauge of which brands to consider. But there really is no substitute for spending just a few minutes comparing the market, when you want to know you are getting the best value deal for your circumstances.

?Insurers automatically include discounts on the first year of a policy to entice motorists in, hoping they will stay when this ?honeymoon? period comes to an end and premiums take a turn for the worse. However, there is nothing to stop drivers changing their insurer every year and therefore always taking advantage of these introductory bonuses.?

Swiftcover.com to be bought by Axa UK

2007-02-07T11:31:00.000Z

UK insurance company Axa has announced that it is to acquire the internet only insurer Swiftcover car insurance.

Currently owned by international insurer Primary Group and Swiftcover's management, the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions including regulatory approval.

Swiftcover.com is one of the most dynamic businesses on the UK personal direct market, with net inflows of 120,000 policies in 2006. This performance is based on a combination of successful marketing and competitive offers, which benefit from the efficient cost structure of Swiftcover's 100% internet model.

Peter Hubbard, Chief Executive of AXA Insurance, said: ?We are extremely pleased to have agreed terms for the purchase of Swiftcover, which further strengthens our distribution platform and gives us greater access to personal lines customers. We have underwritten a significant proportion of Swiftcover's business since its launch and know the potential of this franchise. We intend to build on Swiftcover's strong brand and powerful operating model to deliver an additional revenue and earnings stream for AXA UK.?

Andrew Blowers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Swiftcover, said: ?We identified a gap in the UK insurance market to offer consumers a totally online experience and, by cutting out the cost of call centres, save them money too. With swiftcover.com, we have built a successful brand that has recently achieved a prompted awareness level of 24%. We have made enormous strides with the help of the Primary Group but, going forward, I firmly believe that AXA are the right partner to help us grow the business and achieve our objectives.?

Philip James, Chief Executive of Primary Group, said : ?We are pleased to have been able to support Swiftcover to the point where its future development potential will be enhanced by a close association with AXA.?

Swiftcover.com claims to save 70% of people money on their insurance because it is totally internet based enabling efficient management of the insurance process, and allows customers full control of their insurance needs any time of the day or night.

Norwich Union launches Pay As You Drive car insurance

2007-01-22T16:40:00.000Z

A new pay as you drive motor insurance policy has been launched by Norwich Union.

The new cover available online is designed to give drivers greater control of their motor insurance with expected savings of up to one-third on their premiums.

Motorists interested in learning how they might benefit from Norwich Union Pay As You Drive car insurance should go online to get a quote and learn how different mileage and use of the vehicle will affect their premium. They can then purchase the insurance policy online ? and receive up to 10% discount for buying online.

The website also guides the motorist through a selection process to make sure that Pay As You Drive insurance is suitable for them. If it turns out that the motorist would be best suited with a traditional motor insurance product, they will be guided to the Norwich Union Direct motor insurance page, enabling them to purchase traditional motor insurance online. Motorists who stand to benefit from Pay As You Drive car insurance are guided directly to the quote page.

Norwich Union launched Pay As You Drive car insurance in October of last year aimed at two different age ranges ? one for young drivers aged 18 to 23, and one for motorists aged 24 to 65. Tariffs begin at less than 1 pence per mile for drivers over 24, and less than 5 pence per mile for young drivers. In addition to the usage-based tariff, the premium also includes a fixed monthly fee to cover risks such as fire and theft. Both groups of motorists are expected to be able to save up to one-third on their motor insurance premiums.

Iain Napier, director of Norwich Union Pay As You Drive insurance, comments... "Pay As You Drive insurance offers motorists greater choice, control and flexibility in their motor premiums. We have received terrific feedback and take-up of the policy since we launched three months ago. Buying online is just the latest step for Pay As You Drive insurance ? watch this space for additional exciting developments from Norwich Union.?

Norwich Union Simple Cover competes for no-frills car insurance market

2006-12-30T14:50:00.000Z

Norwich Union, the UKs largest car insurer, has launched a low cost car insurance policy branded as Simple Cover.

A Simple Cover car insurance policy provides comprehensive cover whilst removing many of the extra's that it claims most policyholders never use and don't wish to pay for.

This no frills, budget policy follows announcements from Norwich Union that premiums for its standard motor policy are set to rise by as much as 40% over the next year. A spokesman for Norwich Union, David Ross said: 'None of the premium we take from policyholders is profit. It all goes towards paying out motor claims. Car insurance premiums have remained stable in recent years but the cost of claims has risen sharply.'

With premiums predicted to rise across the market, more and more insurers are set to lanuch budget car insurance policies in a bid to maintain their market share. Tesco has also entered the arena by launching Tesco Value Car Insurance which doesn't include options to protect your no claims bonus, has a higher excess and requires policyholders to use Tesco recommended repairers.

Norwich Union Simple Cover is designed along the same lines with personal accident cover, medical expenses and cover for driving other cars not included. In addition, premiums can only be paid on an annual basis which, Norwich Union claims, helps customers avoid additional administrative charges associated with paying premiums in instalments.

Questions to ask when choosing vehicle breakdown insurance

2006-08-26T12:58:00.000+01:00

Comprehensive vehicle breakdown insurance can vary from �32 to �133.20 a year.

Motorists could save up to 76%* by shopping around for comprehensive car breakdown cover according to price comparison website, www.moneysupermarket.com.

The August bank holiday can be a chance to catch some late summer sun and relaxation before the evenings start drawing in, but the journey itself can sometimes become the focus of the holiday if things go wrong. With comprehensive breakdown cover starting from as little as �32 a year, www.moneysupermarket.com urges motorists to ensure they have adequate cover for the long weekend ahead.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at www.moneysupermarket.com, said: ?The bank holiday is always a busy time on Britain?s roads resulting in an increase in car breakdowns, but motorists can avoid wasting precious holiday time on the hard shoulder by ensuring they have adequate breakdown insurance. It is important to choose not only the most competitive policy, but one which is comprehensive enough for your needs.

?UK breakdown policies do not automatically provide cover for driving abroad so those planning to cross the channel or venture further afield should check they have the appropriate cover. After all, the last thing you want is to stump up an exorbitant call-out fee or organise your own recovery service while stranded abroad.?

Moneysupermarket.com says drivers should consider asking these key questions when evaluating the level of vehicle breakdown insurance on offer:

1. What is the average callout time?
2. Will you try and fix my car at the roadside first?
3. Will you take me home or to the destination I was heading before breaking down?
4. Does this policy include home starts?
5. Is there a limit on the number of times I can call each year?
6. Do you offer a no claims discount?
7. Can I cover additional cars?
8. Can I cover my partner and/or family members?
9. Will I be covered if I am the passenger in another car?
10. Will I be charged additional fees for any of the services provided?
11. Am I covered for driving abroad?

New iniative aims to cut young driver car insurance premiums

2006-08-26T12:45:00.000+01:00

Almost one million young people (912,000) have been in, or know someone who has been in, an accident at night in the last three years, according to new research from car insurer More Than.

Despite representing only 10% of the total driving population, statistics show that young car drivers are involved in over a quarter (28%) of all accidents where a driver is killed or injured.

In a move aimed at reducing young driver accidents, More Than is launching a new initiative - DriveTime ? on Sunday 6 August 2006, designed to encourage drivers aged between 18 and 25 not to drive at night, when the chances of them being in a car crash are highest.

The scheme uses an in-car telematics system to track at what time of the day or night the vehicle is being driven. Drivers pay a reduced fee to insure their cars, 40% off More Than's standard prices. To encourage them to leave their vehicles at home during the most dangerous hours on the road (between 11.00pm and 06.00am) an additional fee of �25 is applied if the car is driven during these hours.

40% of all accidents between 11.00pm and 06.00am involving young drivers result in death or serious injury, compared to 20% at all other times, yet one in seven (12%) of young drivers surveyed by More Than actually feel safer driving at night. By reducing the number of young drivers on the road at night, More Than estimates that DriveTime could help reduce accident rates among 18 to 25 year olds by up to 25%.

More Than's research also reveals that a fifth (21%) of young people find their car a significant drain on their finances. The average cost of running a new car represents 40% of their annual income, compared to 20% for the average motorist4. To help safe young drivers manage their budgets better, DriveTime rewards them by cutting standard More Than car insurance prices by 40%.

Bryan Turner, Head of DriveTime at More Than, said: "High accident rates for young drivers on the roads at night are a major issue and we have been working for some time to come up with a solution to reduce these. DriveTime provides a fantastic way for young, safe drivers to avoid being on the roads at the most dangerous times and can also save them a significant amount off their insurance costs.?

Drivers who sign up for More Than's DriveTime product receive a GPS device (DriveTime unit) that will be delivered and installed in their vehicle free of charge. Once installed, whenever the car starts, a message is sent to More Than advising the time and place that the journey commenced. A further message is sent when the engine is switched off to confirm that the journey has ended.

Almost half (41%) of young motorists already drive their car mainly during the day and evening (06.00am to 11.00pm) and this product has been designed with them in mind. Bryan Turner explained: "We feel it?s unfair that young people get tarred with the boy or girl racer tag when we know that many of them are safe drivers. We?re confident that DriveTime will appeal to those who understand that leaving their car at home during night-time hours, when it is more dangerous to drive, is a smart choice. And we?re sure they will welcome a way to save a significant amount off their car insurance."

Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake, the national road safety charity, said: ?We need to find more innovative ways of preventing tragic deaths involving young drivers and their passengers on our roads. We welcome the DriveTime scheme as an excellent first step towards reducing the exposure of young drivers to driving at particularly risky times of day. Brake is also urging the UK government to introduce ?graduated licensing?, with a post-test period of restrictions on driving, to build up the ability and experience of young drivers gradually.?

More Than?s DriveTime scheme is running as a pilot, initially involving 2,000 vehicles.

Speeding could lead to a 300% increase in your insurance premiums

2006-05-03T21:16:00.000+01:00

New proposals mean drivers could lose their license after two speeding offences
Over five years, you could waste over �3,000* in extra premiums with points on your licence

In the latest Road Safety Bill proposed by the Government, motorists caught speeding at 45mph in a 30mph areas could have six points added to their license.

Whilst, Richard Mason, director of insuresupermarket.com is cautious to point out that speeding is dangerous and motorists must watch their speed when driving, he also explains that speeding could cost you dear. ?Driving dangerously won?t just cost you points on your licence; your premium will significantly increase with six points and after just two speeding offences, you could lose your license.

?Our research has shown that premiums could increase by as much as �476.39* after one speeding offence (6 points) under the new proposals, and once you?ve had your license revoked, it will cost you almost �860** to get insurance. With the old system, most insurers turned a blind eye to three points on your license, but with six points for a first offence, insurers will hike premiums dramatically due to the increased risk of you speeding again and having your license revoked.?

Mason continues, ?When you?re in a rush to get home from work at the end of the day, think before you put your foot down, getting caught speeding once is bad luck but twice and you could lose your license. For car insurance premiums, points really do mean pounds ? and lots of them.

Whilst the points stay on your licence for three years, you?re legally obliged to declare the points to your insurer for five years. That means you?ll be paying higher premiums for five years. Ignoring an increase in premiums, getting points on your licence could end up costing you almost �3,075.85*** in higher premiums. That?s definitely an incentive to slow down.?

*Hastings Direct Annual Premium with 9 points (total accrued 15 points), minus annual premium with 0 points:
�855.79 - �240.62 = �615.17 x 5 = �3,075.85
**Hastings Direct Annual Premium with 12 month Ban and 9 points (total accrued 15 points)
***Hastings Direct Annual Premium with 6 points.

Commuting motorists are breaking 46 million laws

2006-05-03T21:06:00.000+01:00

UK motorists break the law 432 times a year - just driving to and from work, according to new research.

The survey*, commissioned by Churchill Car Insurance shows that drivers risk being pulled over by the police twice a day or ten times each week for a range of motoring offences. This all adds up to 46 million broken laws and Highway Code breaches between home and work each day.

Millions of drivers are calling and texting on mobile phones, skipping red lights and driving under the influence of drink or drugs. Other dangerous driving habits include overtaking on the inside lane of a motorway and putting on make-up behind the wheel.

But almost half of British drivers ? 48 per cent ? insist they are not aware they are driving against Highway Code regulations and in many cases breaking the law.

Speeding is the main offence for motorists when driving to and from work. Around 1.8 million drivers (7 per cent), claim speed cameras are the reason they break the law ? because they are too busy trying to spot GATSO cameras** to notice they are committing other driving offences.

A third of men and women drive over the speed limit at some point on their daily routine, while 22 per cent are guilty of the second most frequent crime - driving over mini-roundabouts. The third most popular offence begins on the drive at home with motorists heading off despite having poor visibility due to snow and ice.

Drive Crime Top Ten

Speeding
Driving over mini-roundabouts
Driving off with icy / snowy windscreen
Using mobile without hands free kit
Sending / reading texts
Overtaking on inside lane
Dirty, unreadable number plates
Not indicating
Failing to stop at stop signs
Stopping in a box junction

Mobile phones are another major cause of laws being broken by drivers. Nearly 4.4 million (17%) of the UK?s 26 million drivers admit to using their phone while on the way to work or going home. They are guilty of either making calls without an approved hands free kit or sending and reading texts.

A further eight per cent of motorists ? or 2.1 million ? will let their impatience get the better of them and use the inside lane to overtake cars moving slowly in the middle and outside lanes of the motorway. Worryingly, almost 450,000 motorists admit they drive to or from work with their senses inhibited by either drink or drugs.

Almost 600,000 attempt their twice daily trip without wearing glasses even though they were prescribed specifically to help them drive.

Darren McCauley, Head of Car Insurance for Churchill said: ?This survey is a real eye opener. When you add it all up, most drivers will be shocked about how many laws they break just on their daily commute.?

?Our research shows that drivers could do with brushing up on their Highway Code or they are likely to get points or a fine if stopped by the police for many of the offences. More importantly, drivers are completely unaware of the potentially dangerous consequences of their actions?

Almost 40 per cent admitted they would break laws when they were in a rush while 11 per cent insisted they would commit an offence if they saw another driver do it.

*Research commissioned by Churchill insurance among 2,500 drivers during January 2006.
** GATSO is a common term for speed cameras which were invented by former Dutch rally and racing driver Maurice Gatsonides.

Drink driving still commonplace insurer finds

2006-01-17T20:58:00.000Z

New research has indicated that millions of Brits regularly drink drive despite a decade of strict government warnings and high-profile advertising campaigns.

Almost a fifth of drivers admitted that they have had one too many alcoholic drinks and then driven home.

Shockingly the same number revealed that if they had been stopped by the police they would have probably failed a breath test. And a third of respondents said they know friends, family and colleagues who get behind the wheel after boozing, while 20% said the trend is "endemic'' among their inner circle.

The survey of 2,558 people by InsureandGo also revealed that more than one in 10 passengers admitted they don't mind getting in a vehicle with somebody they know has had too much drink.
But shockingly only half of the people polled said they had flatly refused to hitch a ride with somebody they knew was over the limit.

One in five people said that they go for a drink when they're driving at least once a month, but stick within the boundaries of the law. A third believe they aren't breaking the law if they stick to one alcoholic beverage, while 50% said they thought it was two, and nearly 10% thought three was okay.

Perry Wilson, a spokesman for InsureandGo, said: "It's amazing that despite all the advertising and warnings about the risks of drink driving people still carry on doing it. There really seems to be a culture in this country where people think that just pushing the boundaries is acceptable, and that going over the limit by a tiny bit every once in a while is fine. Especially now we have extended drinking hours in pubs so people need to resist the temptation even more. 'In reality and the cold light of day drinking and driving is a killer on British roads and every single person who is guilty of this should stop right now.''

The survey also revealed that the majority of Brits think there is a "if I am only just breaking the law then I'll probably get away with it'' culture prevalent in the UK. Overwhelmingly 80% believe that the government should ban ALL alcoholic consumption when driving, as the current laws are confusing.

4% of people said they had been involved in an accident when the other driver had been drinking. While 2.5% cent admitted they'd had an accident or near miss after they had been drinking. 16% said they would never say anything to another motorist even if they knew they were breaking the law when driving because ?'it is their life and their decision''.

On the flipside 40% of people revealed they would actively voice their concerns. One respondent to the survey went to extreme measures by secretly shopping her brother to the police because he was always drink driving, and got him banned.

Almost 2% of drivers admitted that drink driving had cost them their driving license in the past.

UK motorists urged to shop around to beat rising insurance costs

2005-10-03T11:45:00.000+01:00

New findings from the Sainsbury?s Car Insurance Index show that the cost of insuring your car could be rising rapidly unless you take some simple steps to ensure you get the best deal.

Sainsbury's Index, which tracks telephone car insurance industry premiums on a quarterly basis, reveals that the average car insurance premium in July 2005 was �490.13, compared with �465.18 in April, an increase of 5.09% in just four months. Sainsbury?s Bank is urging motorists to shop around more for competitive cover in order to offset this rise in premiums.

Again, motorists under the age of 25 have seen the biggest increases as their average premiums have jumped from an average of �851.83 in April to an average of �1,078.77 in July ? a rise of 26.7%. This compares to a fall in premiums of 11.1% and 4.1% for motorists aged over 50 and 65 respectively.

Further research carried out by the bank in March 2005 indicates that over five million motorists only obtained one quote the last time they bought cover. Independent research by Consumer Intelligence shows that Sainsbury?s Bank consistently offers some of the most competitive premiums available and that motorists switching to them could save up to �180.

Joanne Mallon, Sainsbury?s car insurance manager said: ?Insuring your car equates to around 22% of the total annual cost of driving but by shopping around, it is one of the easiest expenses to cut so it is certainly worthwhile spending a little more time on the phone or online".

?Some motorists such as the over 50s and female drivers could actually find that premiums have fallen recently so a little shopping around could save them even more.?

Sainsbury?s Car Insurance Index also indicates that the average premium for male motorists in July was �553.35, an increase of 8.2% from April. The average premium for women in July was �409.26, a fall of 3.1% on April.

Looking on a regional basis, based on 50 different risk profiles, the Index suggests that motorists in East Anglia pay around �298.51 for their car insurance - the lowest in the country. The Midlands is the most expensive place for car insurance where the average premium is �698.52.

Poor driver education to blame for fatal crashes

2005-09-23T09:43:00.000+01:00

The car insurance company, Direct Line, is calling for changes to the driving test to include education on motorway driving due to the number of fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles (HGV). Fatal crashes involving HGVs are becoming more common with statistics showing a 19% increase year on year.

The findings from Direct Line indicate a lack of driver education as one of the main causes of accidents with lorries in the UK. One in five (18%) motorists rush to overtake lorries because they feel intimidated and don't know how to adapt their driving around bigger vehicles.

This lack of driver confidence is causing a serious problem on the UK roads. Government data shows there were more than 6,000 accidents involving HGVs in 2003 (the most recent year that figures are available for), resulting in the deaths of 166 motorists and close to 8,000 casualties.

Two million drivers (7%) admit that they are completely clueless about how to drive around large vehicles and 70% of motorists would welcome driving test reforms to include training on how to drive around lorries and other large vehicles on the roads.

The most common way of reacting towards HGV's is hesitating around the vehicle (21%).

The current UK practical driving test does not include driving on the motorway at all and it is up to the driving test examiners discretion as to whether learners are tested on dual carriageways.

Direct Line Motor spokesperson, Emma Holyer said: "More than a quarter (28%) of UK motorists don't like driving on the motorway - and encountering large vehicles at high speed simply reinforces this anxiety. Indecisive driving increases the risk of accidents ? and we would urge nervous motorists to take extra driving lessons or take an advanced driving test to help build up their confidence.

"Direct Line is calling on the Driving Standards Agency to ensure the driving test always include motorway driving in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities on the nation's roads."

Additional findings from the research include:

One in five (22%) motorists feel nervous driving alongside HGVs ? a figure that rises to almost a third (31%) among female drivers
Four in 10 drivers (39%) feel stressed and uncomfortable overtaking a heavy vehicles on a motorway
One in 10 (13%) drivers worry about being pulled in by the draught created when passing big vehicles at speed
3% of drivers admit to a complete loss of concentration when driving near lorries

Motorists concerned about their driving could also take the Pass Plus test. This one-day course is designed by the Driving Standards Agency, insurers and the driving instruction industry and helps motorists drive with more confidence.

In addition to improving driving skills, insurers offer a substantial first year discount for those who have taken the test. Direct Line offers 17 - 20 year olds a 20% discount, 21 - 24 year olds a 30% discount and 25 year olds and above will receive a 40% discount.

Direct Line also offers the following tips on driving safely around large vehicles:

Keep your distance. On a dry road and in good weather conditions leave at least two seconds between your vehicle and the one in front. In poor visibility leave at least a four-second gap
Regularly use your mirrors when driving on the motorway because of the higher traffic volumes
Always use the left-hand lane where possible. Remember lanes two and three are not the 'middle lane' or 'fast lane', these are overtaking lanes
Overtake or pass only on the right unless in a traffic jam
Take extra care when joining a motorway. You must give way to motorway traffic
Avoid switching lanes suddenly and always indicate when changing lane

School run drivers voted worse than 'White Van Man'

2005-09-02T17:30:00.000+01:00

Motorists' stereotypes about other road users are causing erratic driving behaviour on UK roads, according to new research from Direct Line.

The research revealed that British drivers tend to judge other motorists by the types of vehicles they are at the wheel of before seeing them drive. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of motorists admit to behaving differently depending on who is in front of them.

Common ways of reacting included driving aggressively (11 per cent), driving slowly (22 per cent), refusing to give way (11 per cent) and driving badly to deliberately irritate (four per cent) in a conscious attempt to aggravate drivers of specific cars.

The survey interviewed motorists nation-wide about who they believed were the worst motorists in the UK and surprisingly school run drivers (18 per cent) were voted the worst by almost one in five drivers. They were followed by 'white van man' (17 per cent) and taxi drivers (14 per cent) in positions two and three respectively.

The top five most annoying habits cited were:
1. Driving rudely (i.e. tailgating, refusing to let other drivers out)
2. Driving carelessly
3. Repeatedly switching lane to find the quickest route
4. Intimidating behaviour (i.e. flashing to get past, shouting etc)
5. Excessive speeding

The Direct Line research shows these misconceptions are unjust as these road users who are perceived to be poor drivers, display some of the most polite behaviour on the roads.

School run drivers, believed to be the most careless behind the wheel (69 per cent), are far more likely to stick to the speed limits (29 per cent) than any other vehicle on the road. Likewise, despite their aggressive reputation, taxi drivers are the most altruistic drivers in the UK. Almost half (48 per cent) of cabbies would stop to help a motorist in trouble, compared to the national average of 34 per cent. Similarly, often maligned as a menace on the roads, white van drivers are far more likely to thank motorists for giving way (23 per cent) than any other road user.

Direct Line's Motor spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said:"It is sometimes easy to let our misconceptions get in the way and take to driving in an aggressive manner simply because we don't want other motorists to get the better of us. However this research shows driver stereotypes are more fiction than fact and we should try to be courteous to all motorists ? no matter what they are driving."

Drivers vote on UK's best roads

2005-08-12T17:35:00.000+01:00

Sunday drives are making a comeback as more and more motorists get behind the wheel and take to the nation's roads.

Recent Direct Line research amongst 1,700 UK drivers reveals that over half (54 per cent) of all motorists use leisurely drives as an ideal way to relax and take time out from everyday concerns.

Close to one in three (29 per cent) motorists use driving to relax, while a further one in five (17 per cent) report lower stress levels after a leisurely drive through the countryside.

The Direct Line research also asked motorists nation-wide to vote on their favourite roads for such leisurely drives and the top five were voted as follows:

1. B3306, St Just to St Ives,Cornwall
2. A592, to Ullswater, Lake District
3. A817, Loch Lomond to Garelochhead, Scotland
4. A35, Lyndhurst to Christchurch, New Forest
5. A537, Cat and Fiddle Road from Macclesfield to Buxton, Peak District - Derbyshire

And if it's a road trip rather than just a day's outing you're after, Scotland has been voted the most picturesque region to motor around (23 per cent), followed by the Lake District (16 per cent) and Wales (11 per cent).

Destination has a lot to do with our regard for the drive - just 14 per cent of motorists enjoy the trip to work, compared to 34 per cent who enjoy the drive back home again. But when it comes to what makes a good drive there was almost unanimous agreement that coastal routes are the best followed by roads winding through picturesque villages and drives through scenes of rural idyll.

According to behavioural psychologist Dr Guy Fielding, these motorists are on to something: "Contrary to popular belief, driving can be very good for you. Car drivers' tend to benefit from increased self-esteem, sense of security and control over their lives, which in turn leads to increased psychological well-being. And increased psychological well-being, in turn, leads to better general health and happiness. In fact, studies* show that drivers tend to have better general health and less depression than people who use public transport."

Direct Line spokeswoman, Emma Holyer, said: "Driving often gets a bad rap, but our research shows more than two thirds (67 per cent) of UK motorists like driving with one in five (17 per cent) loving it. In fact, motorists spend an average 7.5 hours a month driving purely for pleasure, rising to up to 20 hours for an enthusiastic one in 10 (seven per cent)."

When it comes to driving holidays, Brits are prepared to go the distance with more than one in five (22 per cent) looking to cover more than 400 miles per trip.

* Research carried out by the Medical Research Council, Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Glasgow, 2004.