Don’t Let Your Car Insurance Premiums Crash

As if avoiding a potentially serious injury wasn’t reason enough to drive safely on the UK’s perennially hazardous roads, now motorists have another reason to drive with care and consideration: their wallets.

Research from a comparison website shows that car insurance premiums could rise by as much as 601 per cent after an at-fault accident. Being at fault in an accident is a costly mistake to make as insurers always examine a driver’s history when assessing their premiums. According to the research, bus conductors are the most likely to have an at-fault crash with more than 16 per cent causing an accident. Members of the medical profession, or related to caring and well-being, are also highly strung behind the wheel with GPs, psychologists, speech therapists, keep-fit instructors and surgeons all appearing high on the list.

By contrast, it seems that driving instructors are among the least likely to make a car insurance claim for an at-fault accident, suggesting they practice what they preach. They appear in the top ten professionals to avoid at-fault accidents, along with the likes of engravers, horse dealers and zoologists.

How can you avoid making a car insurance claim?

It’s difficult to avoid the stresses and strains of the workplace but there are ways to reduce your risk of being to blame for a car wreck and therefore reduce the chances of making a car insurance claim.

Firstly, it’s vital to keep your composure. According to a survey by a car insurance provider, four per cent admitted to inflicting road rage on another driver, while 17 per cent admitted to excessive speeding. On average, 16 per cent of motorists have suffered a road rage incident in the past year, with younger drivers in particular the target for flared tempers.

There are ways however, to let cooler heads prevail. Here are some safe driving tips:

• Drive courteously - Treat other road users as you would want to be treated.
• Don’t tailgate - Leave a safe distance between you and the car in front – a two-second gap is advised and this should be doubled in bad weather.
• Don’t speed - Driving too fast gives you less time to react to dangers on the road so stick to the limit.
• Don’t use a mobile phone - Despite the UK ban on handheld mobile phone use behind the wheel, 66 per cent of motorists admit to using the devices illegally. Talking or texting distracts the mind and can lead to accidents.
• Never drive under the influence - Even small amounts of alcohol and prescription drugs can reduce reaction times and hamper your driving performance. If you’re found to be over the limit you will almost certainly be deemed at fault for an accident.
• Make sure you’re refreshed - If you’re tired after a long day’s work, drink a coffee or take a nap in your car before beginning the journey home. If you feel tired behind the wheel, stop at a safe place and take a break.

How safe driving equates to car insurance savings?

Failing to drive safely can see you harshly punished by a car insurance provider. For example, one insurer in the UK will increase premiums by a whopping 74 per cent if you commit two or more speeding offenses.

It’s not just driving convictions that can prove costly. Just a regular accident can wipe out a no-claims bonus and significantly increase your car insurance premiums. Several providers now offer no-claims discounts that stretch to around 70 per cent - so imagine the increase if that bonus is suddenly wiped out.

If you are to blame for a car accident or you receive a driving conviction, it is still possible to save on your car insurance. The key is to shop around with a comparison website rather than simply accepting your insurer’s renewal and assuming there are no better deals available to you because of your driving record. Never assume - there may well be a host of providers willing to offer you a more competitive deal, so shop around. Also take other steps to reduce your risk to an insurer. Agree to a mileage limit if you are unlikely to use the vehicle very often, for example, and increase the voluntary excess to a level you can comfortably afford.

Security is another aspect you could control. Many car insurance companies will offer reduced premiums to motorists that enhance their vehicles with car alarms and immobilisers and park their car in a garage overnight. So if your premiums are mounting don’t give up - there are still ways to save.

www.gocompare.com