Apr18

Rip off ‘hidden’ insurance charges for motor policies…..

by admin on April 18th, 2012 at 6:36 am
Posted In: Insurance

An investigation by Which? has shown that some car insurers are making hidden (and expensive) charges to make small amendments to customers policies.

Which? chief executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, says:

“It’s a disgrace that insurers charge exorbitant fees to make basic changes to a policy. These charges should reflect the real cost to the company and not a way of making easy money from consumers who are already struggling with high and rising insurance premiums.”

Excessive charges from some companies are up to:

  • £30 to provide duplicate documents
  • £35 to adjust a policy
  • £75 to cancel policies
  • 32.3% to pay by monthly instalments

More expense for the motorist to bear, for very little in return. Something that needs to be reviewed by the government to help to cash strapped motorists.

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Apr17

The problems of one hand steering whilst eating and drinking…..

by admin on April 17th, 2012 at 6:54 am
Posted In: Driving Behaviour, Road Safety, Survey

A recent study by esure car insurance by the University of Leeds, found that reaction times while eating while driving is increased by a massive 44%, and drinking whilst driving 22%. They found that the reason for the increase would be do to the extra vision required to eat or drink, lessening the road vision. It also  found that drivers were 18%  more likely to struggle to keep in lane,  whilst drinking behind the wheel. The study also showed that 17% of motorists think it is acceptable to drive with just one hand on the wheel with almost half  admitting they do this regularly.

We don’t need a survey to tell us when you are performing an secondary task when driving, that your road vision and handling would be decreased, but the figures for those who think it is ok to put themselves and others at risk is worryingly high. More education is needed to help make drivers more aware.

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Apr16

At the end of 2011, 28.5 million car on UK roads…..

by admin on April 16th, 2012 at 7:26 am
Posted In: Driving News, Survey
From the Department of Transport

Overview

This publication presents information on motor vehicles in Great Britain that were licensed on the 31 December 2011 (the end of quarter 4/end of the year), or were registered for the first time during 2011. The statistics are derived from data held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which administers vehicle registration and licensing records in Great Britain.

Key findings include:

  • At the end of 2011 there were 34.2 million vehicles licensed for use on the roads in Great Britain, of which 28.5 million were cars.
  • Between 2010 and 2011 the total vehicle stock number increased by 0.3 per cent. Since the recession of 2008-09 the annual growth in licensed vehicles has only averaged 0.4 per cent, lower than the 2.4 per cent averaged between 1996 and 2007.
  • Just over 2.38 million vehicles were registered for the first time in Great Britain in 2011. This represents a 36 thousand vehicle, or 1.5 per cent, decrease from the previous year. However, the 2010 first registration figures received a boost from the previous government’s Vehicle Scrappage Scheme.
  • The number of newly registered cars powered by diesel has continued to rise. For the first time the proportion of cars registered for the first time that run on diesel has tipped over the 50 per cent mark.
  • Average emissions from all the licensed cars first registered from 2001 onwards was down by 1.5 per cent from 2010 to an average of 163 g/km. The average CO2 emissions from cars newly registered in the year fell by over 4 per cent from 2010 to an average figure of 138 g/km. Since 2001 the average emissions of new cars has fallen by over 21 per cent.
  • At the end of 2011, the most common car in Great Britain was the Ford Focus (1.4 million) followed by the Ford Fiesta (1.3 million).

Download full release

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Apr13

Speeding tickets and the cost to the motorist…..

by admin on April 13th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Posted In: Fines

Research from the AA, has highlighted the real cost of getting a speeding ticket. Over the years insurers have not adjusted premiums for those with a speeding conviction, but in these days of trying to get as much cash out of policy holders as possible, motorists could see increases for three years after offences. This may add up to an extra £200, in addition to the £60 fixed penalty charge.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: “Those who flout the law are more likely to make a claim and their premium reflects that risk. Why should the majority of motorists who stay within the law, subsidise those who don’t?

Certainly a hit to the pocket, but best reason not to speed is to keep safe on the roads!

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Apr12

Car tax could soon be paid by direct debit…..

by admin on April 12th, 2012 at 6:48 am
Posted In: Driving News, Proposals, Road Tax

In the recent budget the government announced that is would consider allowing the car road tax to be paid by direct debit. Currently it is paid either yearly or six monthly, with many opting for the later (which makes the yearly total more expensive) because of struggling finances.

Sounds like a very good and welcome idea to help motorists to help with their car expenses. On the government side it would appear a smart move to a much easier way to manage the tax, and cut down on paperwork.

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