Car Insurance Claims Surge in Darkness

As Britain’s clocks revert to Greenwich Mean Time for the winter months, the decline in daylight could leave motorists in the dark as statistics show that car insurance claims surge around the daylight saving turnover.

Car insurance provider has issued research revealing that this is one of the most treacherous times of the year for UK motorists. Records show that car insurance claims increase by five per cent on average each year either side of the changeover as drivers struggle to cope with driving home in darkness for the first time in several months.

According to a spokesman for the company, twilight often presents the most difficult driving conditions because our eyes are required to constantly change in an effort to cope with the increasing level of darkness.

With daylight saving time officially ending on Sunday October 26, drivers should take every step they can to avoid an accident and a car insurance claim that could drive up their premiums.

How can you stay safe when driving in darkness?

Preparation is the key to staying safe when driving in the dark. Simple steps such as checking the headlights are working before you begin driving and cleaning all lights and windows should aid visibility. Make sure that you angle your headlights properly too as misdirected headlights could blind other drivers and impair your own vision. If getting to work a little earlier in the morning means you can leave earlier at night, then it can often be worthwhile so you drive in safer conditions.

Monitoring your headlights while driving is important – you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area and if not you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle. Remember to keep your headlights on a low beam when following another vehicle so you don’t affect the driver’s vision and watch out for the glare from other vehicles if a driver fails to dip their beams from high to low.

The darker conditions can also add to a motorist’s fatigue when behind the wheel so make sure you’re well rested before you start to drive. If you feel yourself struggling to stay awake while on the road then pull over at a suitable rest stop as soon as you can and take a power nap. In between times, open a window and keep your mind active to help you stay awake.

Beyond these steps you should remember that the usual measures you would take to drive safely become all the more important in these more difficult conditions. In particular, watch your speed and increase your stopping distances as it may prove difficult to judge another driver’s actions in the dark. Steer clear of alcohol as this can add to fatigue and avoid smoking while driving as the nicotine and carbon monoxide produced from cigarettes could seriously affect your vision.

The importance of comprehensive car insurance cover

While you might take all the steps necessary to drive safely you can’t account for the actions of others and unfortunately accidents will happen, making car insurance crucial.

It’s well worth checking your car insurance policy to ensure that it will help you get back on the road as quickly as possible. For example, if you are involved in an accident and your vehicle requires repairs, will your insurer arrange the repairs for you and will you receive a courtesy car so you can still get around?

Motor breakdowns are also frequent as the dark nights are often accompanied by colder weather which can lead to engine faults. If you have car trouble you should pull off the road and find an appropriate stopping place as soon as possible before switching on your hazard lights to warn approaching traffic of your presence.

Many comprehensive car insurance policies offer motor breakdown cover as an optional extra, which should include roadside assistance. If you’re not happy with the breakdown cover your insurer offers you could buy a stand-alone policy elsewhere.

You never know how good a car insurance provider is until it comes time to make a claim. So with increased risk over the coming weeks and months, take the time to evaluate your policy as soon as possible. If the level of car insurance cover you have is insufficient then use a comparison website to compare car insurance from a range of providers and you may even be able to find a cheaper policy that offers more comprehensive coverage.

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