Lost tempers bump up car insurance premiums

Driving a car can be a frustrating experience at the best of times – from the weather, to the traffic, to unexpected engine trouble it can seem like the world can conspire against you while you’re behind the wheel and all this without mentioning the real problem with our roads – the other drivers. According to new research, one in six drivers (more than 7.4million motorists) have been in confrontations with other road users in the last 12 months. It’s a statistic that is not only sending temperatures through the roof, but that is causing significant hikes in car insurance premiums too.

Why road rage is putting car insurance in a spin

The survey revealed that 300,000 drivers had their cars damaged as a result of road rage incidents. These incidents, which could be avoided with cooler heads, are driving up the costs for car insurance companies which are in turn passed on to customers. Road rage is not always easy to recognise either. Acts of physical violence, thankfully, remain rare but this is road rage in its most extreme form. The most common form of road rage is tailgating when a driver aggressively hangs on to the back end of the vehicle in front. Younger drivers are the most likely to be the victims of road rage with 19 per cent of 18-34year-old motorists reporting incidents. By contrast, drivers aged over 55 are the least likely to be involved in a road rage confrontation. This is probably due to the increased level of experience – the more confident you are behind the wheel, the less likely you are to make a mistake which then raises the ire of another driver. If you’re found to be the aggressor in a road rage incident you could well pay the price. Even though four per cent of road rage occurrences result in a car being damaged it’s unlikely that a car insurance provider will offer a payout, particularly if you have committed a criminal act.

Keep your cool to avoid car insurance claims

If you feel your temperature boiling over because of the actions of other drivers then follow these tips to keep your cool:

• Open a window – Fresh air can help you cool off figuratively and literally.

• Listen to relaxing music – Help yourself keep calm before an incident occurs with soothing music that helps you chill out.

• Pull over – If you feel you’re losing your cool then find a suitable stopping place as soon as possible and relax. Even if you’re not the type to confront another driver you’re likely to make mistakes while you’re angry so take a few minutes to calm down.

• Distract yourself – While keeping your eyes on the road try and picture a memory or thought that makes you happy.

• Put yourself in the other driver’s place – We’ve all been hassled by aggressive drivers and we know how frightening and intimidating it can be. Remember mistakes happen on the road and think how you would feel if an angry motorist chased you down.

• Think about the consequences – inability to control your temper could result in an accident, conviction or worse.

How to ensure you’re covered for road rage

It’s vital to check the terms and conditions of your car insurance policy to see whether or not you’re covered for road rage incidents. For example, will your car insurance provider pay out for any medical bills that may occur should another driver assault you? The levels of cover vary from provider to provider. Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance offers £1,000 worth of cover if drivers are assaulted. Sheila’s Wheels goes as far as to offer counsellings to road rage victims. According to the financial website, around one in twenty fully comprehensive car insurance policies have specific allowances for personal injuries caused as a result of road rage. However, there are usually exceptions and caveats, which include whether or not you are the aggressor and whether you know or are related to the assailant. Many car insurance policies offer legal protection as an additional option. This will usually mean an increase to your premiums but it can be worthwhile should legal action be necessary. Most policies that include this option will cover you for around £50,000 worth of court expenses.

If you’re not happy with the level of cover available from your existing car insurance provider then shop around with a comparison website. It's possible to compare car insurance quotes from a wide range of leading insurance companies, making it easy for you to find a better deal.