The provider of international driving permits is changing and the Post Office has lost the contract. From 1 April 2024, IDPs will be exclusively available from participating PayPoint stores across the UK. An IDP is not usually required for the majority of popular holiday destinations abroad. However, there are over 140 countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Canada and Australia, where an IDP is … [Read more...]
Insurance News
Young drivers hit by automatically bigger premiums
The cost of car insurance for young drivers has jumped by £644 on average in the past year, according to new Young Drivers research from Compare the Market. Car insurance premiums for motorists aged under 25 have reached £2,009 in January 2024, compared to £1,365 in the same month last year. Car insurance now represents 66% of the total car running costs for young drivers. Young drivers are … [Read more...]
Fleets must face up to drug-driving rising risks
Fleets need to redouble their efforts on drug-driving, FleetCheck is warning, as a leading police officer reported that the issue was a bigger problem than drink-driving in some constabularies over the Xmas period. Speaking to the BBC this week, chief constable Jo Shiner of the National Police Chiefs Council said there was a "social acceptance" of drug taking and driving, particularly among … [Read more...]
Tamper-proof bolts deter car thieves, says loss adjuster
Specialist motor insurance loss adjuster, Claims Management & Adjusting has welcomed the new Association of British Insurers roadmap “to combat the rising costs of motor cover”, and recommended anti-theft number plate bolts as the best value solution. Philip Swift, a former detective, now Technical Director at CMA, said, “While we very much welcome the ABI’s new strategy to reduce premiums by … [Read more...]
Poor reliability & higher costs drive change, says Carwow
Reliability and higher running costs are the top reasons for selling their motor according to a new survey by Carwow, the online car-changing marketplace. Nearly eight out of 10 respondents (78%) cited reliability as the biggest reason for changing their cars, while increased running costs (71%) came a close second on their list for choosing to sell. Despite being a nation of vehicle … [Read more...]
Make your mark & understand what it means
In a week's time the new 24-plate will start appearing on vehicles, but over a third of people don’t even look at number plates when purchasing a car and 14% said they didn’t “have a clue” how many times a year UK registration plates are updated. Go.Compare has released a survey revealing mass confusion among drivers when it comes to a car’s number plates and their meanings. The research quizzed … [Read more...]
Buyers and traders clash over interest charges
Dealers need to “very urgently assess” the implications of recent moves from the Financial Conduct Authority on historical motor finance commissions, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. While the subject has been gathering prominence in recent weeks following two recent rulings by the Financial Ombudsman, a new programme hosted by personal finances guru Martin Lewis has substantially raised … [Read more...]
Thousands of drivers ignorant of revised Highway Code
More than half (55%) of UK drivers have not read the Highway Code since passing their driving test, a new survey has revealed, although it has been revised 24 times in the last nine years alone, says Go.Compare. The majority (83%) of respondents passed their driving test over a decade ago, making this a major concern for the nation’s road safety. The Highway Code has been updated on 24 separate … [Read more...]
Essential to build NCDs, says broker
Car insurance premiums decrease by £745, a drop of almost a third (32%), after one year of no claims discount, according to Compare the Market. When drivers come to renew their policy, those who have not made a claim on their car insurance can typically receive a no claims discount, or no claims bonus, from a number of insurance providers, with the discount rising the longer that you drive … [Read more...]
Driving tests heading for a crash, says broker Marmalade
Driving tests are heading for a crash with demand far exceeding available examination slots. New research shows demand for practical driving test slots across the UK far exceeds the DVSA’s ability for testing, despite the new measures it’s put in place. The data gathered through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and existing Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures by learner driver … [Read more...]