One in five men admit to being a car brand snob who would always stretch their budget to get a more prestigious car brand, says a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers. This 22% compared to 14% of women while 17% of men also said having a flash car impresses their friends, compared to 9% of women. The Opinium survey, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, for new and second-hand cars, finds that one in … [Read more...]
Insurance Features
Newslines 17 August
Powys is one of the more dangerous places for new drivers, warn Zutobi. Road accident statistics show there are about 351.1 accidents per 100,000 people, the second highest in the UK but about half the total for Westminster, London which is Britain’s worst accident area. A £30m scheme on the A55 to improve safety, further protect against flooding and provide a new active travel route is … [Read more...]
870,000 women have driven when over the limit
A common myth is that drink driving is a male problem. But in a study by the Office for National Statistics, nearly five per cent of women reported driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit at least once in the past year. With 18.8 million female licence holders, that would mean a staggering 870,000 women admitting having driven under the influence. The true figure is probably much higher, … [Read more...]
Learners knocked back nine-months by pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed learner drivers’ gaining their licence by an average of nine months, according to GoCompare Car Insurance. Lockdown restrictions meant driving lessons and driving tests were cancelled across the UK, causing chaos for thousands of learner drivers hoping to get legally on the roads. According to a new survey from GoCompare, who interviewed over 1000 … [Read more...]
The automotive industry braces for long Covid
Long Covid is about to hit the car industry with increased warranty costs expected in months or years to come, says Renee Stephens, Vice-President of We Predict automotive analysts. If current and past trends are any indication, the global pandemic has implications to change what automakers and suppliers see in their warranties as they continue to ramp up operations, with the potential for … [Read more...]
EC give red light to green cards
Holidaymakers and hauliers can use their existing motor insurance when travelling across Europe. The EC has waived the need to apply for a green-card from their insurer which was thought to be required after Brexit. But the documentation will no longer be needed and proof of insurance by the UK policy note will be sufficient. Huw Evans, Director General at the Association of British Insurers … [Read more...]
Motor Sport reprieved from new insurance law
Vehicles intended exclusively for motorsport will be excluded from new Motor Insurance rules, known by some as the VNUK law. For seven years a European Court of Justice ruling threatened the entire sport and business of motorsport in the UK and Europe but has now changed its mind and this positive result comes after years of pro-active lobbying by the FIA, the Motorsport Industry Association … [Read more...]
Accidents & injuries hit record low in Wales, say Quotezone
It has been the safest year on record with the fewest accidents on Welsh roads. Welsh road accidents dropped more than a third in 2020 compared to 2019, making last year the safest year on record for road users in Wales. Welsh government figures show road accidents were at their lowest during the ‘stay at home’ period in spring, with April 2020 down 68% year-on-year, while May was down 65%. … [Read more...]
RAC underwrite used evs and hybrids
A new warranty for used electric and hybrid cars is launched today by the RAC. The RAC Electric Vehicle warranty will be supplied exclusively through the 1,300-strong RAC Dealer Network and can be applied to any used electric or hybrid car up to a maximum of eight years old and with 80,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase. Cover is available for a variety of periods up to 24 months and … [Read more...]
Wales’s lowest electric vehicle charging grant take-up in UK
Wales had the lowest uptake for electric car home charging grants, according to figures from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. The demand for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme’s (EVHS) in Wales amounted to just 319 grants per 100,000 homes last year. The highest take-up of EVHS, which provides 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle charging devices at domestic properties, was … [Read more...]