How Bad Habits are Costly with Car Insurance

Whether it’s biting your fingernails or leaving your elbows on the table many of us have bad habits and while they may not be pleasant for others to view they generally do little harm. However, when it comes to driving it seems that Britain as a nation has picked up a host of bad habits - and many of them could be hitting us in the wallet through expensive car insurance premiums.

Research by a comparison website shows that Brits could face hefty penalties on their car insurance premiums if they are caught being careless behind the wheel. Yet a poll by the same website showed that few of us are keeping our eyes on the road at all times.

What are the habits that could hurt your car insurance premiums?

Top of the list of bad habits that could affect your driving performance was changing the station on the radio or changing a CD, which 77 per cent of drivers admitted to. A further 52 per cent confessed to eating while driving and drinking while driving, while 34 per cent are often distracted by passengers, children and pets in the car.

Around 28 per cent were willing to admit that they made calls on their mobile phone when driving with another 17 per cent confessing that they send text messages. Twenty four per cent slow down to look at the scene of an accident while 22 per cent put their own lives at risk by not using a seatbelt in the car. Another six per cent have fallen asleep behind the wheel, while five per cent have put on make-up, aftershave or perfume while driving, presumably as part of a morning rush.

These distractions are so commonplace that it seems almost everyone does them and they are generally no big deal. However, there can be serious consequences for these actions.

How these habits can affect your car insurance

Being on the road requires complete concentration – any lapse can have severe consequences and even cause fatalities.

As a result, the penalties for driving without due care and attention are severe. Motorists who are convicted of driving without due care and attention face the prospect of heavy fines, and in worse case scenarios even having their licences revoked or face jail time. However, even if you get off lightly and are allowed to continue motoring your car insurance premiums with one conviction will typically rise by 26 per cent – around £116 a year.

For example, a 30-year-old teacher living in Manchester driving a 2006 Ford Focus with five years no-claims discount can pick up a premium for as little as £389.21 through Swiftcover. However, if the same driver has one driving without due care and attention offence on his record, the cheapest premium will leap to £457.33. The gap is even larger with other insurers – Kwik-Fit charges the same driver with a clean licence £470.96 but will up the ante for a driver with one conviction to £659.71 – a difference of £188.75.

How can you keep your car insurance premiums low?

The message is simple: it pays to be a good driver.

According to the Department of Transport, eight people are killed on Britain’s roads each day. Yet still many of us are willing to flout good practice and can’t even be bothered to buckle up our seatbelts.

However, if you are a conscientious driver and manage to steer clear of accidents and convictions you should be rewarded for your efforts. Most insurers offer no-claims discounts some of which can stretch up to 70 per cent after five years, slashing your premiums.

If you have already been hit with a charge then you will certainly be facing higher premiums than you would otherwise. This should be used as motivation to slash your costs in other ways and keep your bills manageable. For example, you may be able to recoup the extra money you’re paying out by earning discounts for enhancing the security of your car, increasing your voluntary excess, paying your premiums annually instead of monthly and parking in a garage at night.

Whether you’re facing a charge or not, make sure you shop around for cheap car insurance at least once a year with a comparison website - this will give you peace of mind that your deal is competitive.