Insurance Evasion High Among Drivers

Recent studies have shown that a significant number of Brits are cutting back on vital financial products such as car insurance, a worrying trend which could leave many in a vulnerable position.

The report by American Express suggested that 48% of respondents are cutting back on spending when it comes to important services including health insurance in order to save money. But the situation has not been made any easier as fresh revelations suggested that UK drivers were unknowingly paying an annual sum of £500 million in excess to cover those driving without insurance.

Many motorists are now questioning why they should be forced to pay for those driving illegally although insurance providers have been quick to point out the relationship between additional cost and the risk factor involved with many insurers saying that there is a likelihood of more drivers having to claim off their own insurance if the other party is uninsured.

However, a significant number of motorists in urban areas are reportedly considering cancelling their car insurance while still driving on UK roads mainly because the maximum fine for drivers caught without insurance is £250. In recent months, insurance has been saturated with eco-friendly car insurance deals which many motorists believe to be cheaper, but according to findings by a consumer website, it costs 105% more than regular car insurance.

Green car drivers have been credited for being environmentally friendly because of their decision to go green and according to claims, they could be left with extra cash to spare. Industry sources however, say that going green may not necessarily offer the financial incentives you can enjoy if a motorist chooses to drive a more fuel efficient vehicle. A good example is the quotes for the Honda Civic Hybrid which starts from just £342 with Swiftcover, to £389 with CIS (the cheapest green car insurers in the market) and a whopping £701 from Green Insurance.

But according to the American Express study, 24% will skimp on travel insurance even when they are searching for a holiday while 5% said they would stop paying monthly installments for home or car insurance policies. The current economic turmoil also means that life is increasingly looking expensive but the concern among industry experts is that this style of budgeting will most certainly leave the 48% of Brits who are cutting back on the policies very vulnerable.

At the same time, statistics show that drivers are not spared higher premiums in high crime areas and according to figures, motorists in Wales are ranked sixth out of ten worst areas for insurance evasion. Perhaps what is even more alarming is the disclosure by Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) who claimed that over 350,000 uninsured vehicles have been taken off the road and 40% of them crushed or disposed of.

Additionally, the government and insurance industry will soon be announcing the timetable for the introduction of Continuous Insurance Enforcement in the coming months after a study showed that that there are currently around two million uninsured vehicles on the UK's roads.

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08.16  No comments

How Green Car Insurance Can Push Up Premiums

We all want to do our bit for the environment - but could choosing eco-friendly car insurance be an expensive mistake?

Research from a car insurance comparison website shows that eco-friendly car insurance can cost up to 150 per cent more than standard policies suggesting that this may not be the solution for motorists with a green conscience.

It found that annual car insurance for a 2004 Toyota Prius could cost as little as £319.28 through Swiftcover and yet would cost £489.96 through the cheapest 'green' car insurance provider - in this case ibuyeco.co.uk. Indeed the gap between premiums gets even larger with other green insurers - the same driver would pay £522.01 a year with CIS Eco-Insurance and £785.48 a year through The Green Insurance Company.

This isn't a one-off example either. Another green car, the Honda Civic Hybrid, can be insured for as little as £338.27 with Swiftcover, but would cost £770.57 to insure through the Green Insurance Company.

Of course for environmentally conscious drivers, finding the cheapest deal is unlikely to be their chief concern - many would be willing to pay extra to know they are contributing to the environment. Indeed ibuyeco.co.uk and the Green Insurance Company both promise to offset 100 per cent of a vehicle's emissions while CIS Eco-Insurance will offset 20 per cent of a car's emissions by investing in schemes such as reforestation and renewable energy sources.

Nevertheless, with such a staggering difference between the cheapest policies available and the cheapest green insurance providers, eco-friendly drivers may be able to put their money to better use.

For example, these motorists could shop around for the cheapest car insurance deal and then use the money they save to contribute to an eco-friendly charity or environmental project of their own choice.

The key is to use a comparison website to compare car insurance and ensure you're getting not only a cheap car insurance deal but also the level of cover that is right for you. Then you can have peace of mind behind the wheel as well as ensuring you're contributing to a worthwhile cause.

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04.12  No comments

UK Motor Insurance First

For the first time in the UK, well certainly the first time I've heard this, there is a motor insurance company offering new customers the chance to cap their motor insurance premium for the next year so it's the same as they pay the first year.

Funny enough my car insurance is up for renewal in March and I've been sent an email from my current insurer. I've got 5 years no claims discount and I'm 31, I drive a 7 year old , 1.9 Diesel car and my renewal price Is £281.00, not bad I thought...

I decided to try a comparison web site and after completing my details I found a few quotes around £200, so I could in theory save around £80. The problem is can I really be bothered to go through the hassle of changing everything to a new insurer just to save myself less than £8 per month?! I suppose this is what insurers rely on; customer apathy...The thing for me is that I've got enough to do without having the hassle, and to be honest complete boredom, of changing car insurance!

With my current insurer everything renews automatically, I don't have to do anything, apart from read the emails they send me. On the other hand a friend has just said that he'd never deal with them again because they were awful when his car was written off...I guess we all just hoping that we never have to deal with that situation.

I think I'll get a few different quotes from other comparison sites, maybe a few insurance specialist sites. If I can't save a decent amount then I'll just leave my policy with Swiftcover, after all insurance can only get so cheap they're not going to give it away!

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04.12  No comments

Do Women Get Good Deal on Car Insurance?

Yet another car insurance provider has decided to offer exclusive policies for female drivers - but do these deals really offer better value?

More Than car insurance has launched women driver's insurance with special features designed for females including priority road assistance, a mobile phone locator, female friendly repairers, child car seat replacement and handbag cover. It is just the latest in a long line of car insurance providers that specifically target females with their policies including Diamond, Ladybird and Sheila's Wheels.

However, research from Swiftcover reveals that these specialist insurers do not necessarily offer females the best deals. Its research shows that 18.9 million women drivers in the UK face price differences on their insurance deals of as much as £600.

For example, a female aged 25 who lives in Milton Keynes and has a Ford Fiesta Style 1244cc with zero years no-claims could get a policy for as little as £273.60 with Swiftcover and yet would pay £512.90 with Diamond. Similarly, a 35-year-old in Birmingham driving a VW Passat would pay £331.76 through Swiftcover compared to £426.37 through Sheila's Wheels.

Women are generally offered more favourable car insurance quotes than men due to their superior driving record with Home Office statistics showing that men are involved in 97 per cent of dangerous driving convictions. However, just because an insurer claims it can offer cheaper quotes by dealing exclusively with females it does not mean that women drivers could not get a cheaper deal elsewhere.

The key is to do everything you can to save including taking advantage of online discounts, paying annually instead of monthly, parking a car in a garage overnight and enhancing security.

From there take a complete overview of the car insurance market and compare car insurance from as many providers as possible to find a competitive deal.

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04.12  1 comment

Are Women Missing Out on cheap Car Insurance?

Statistics have been released by car insurance provider Swiftcover, highlighting the need for female drivers to look beyond the policies that are advertised directly to them when shopping around for car insurance.
According to the provider's research, the UK's 18.9million women drivers could face car insurance premiums with differences of more than £600 a year. Its research found that a 35-year-old female living in Birmingham driving a Volkswagen Passat with one speeding conviction to their name could be charged as much as £944.45 a year through female car insurance specialist Diamond. The same driver however, could pick up a quote for just £331.76 through Swiftcover itself - a difference of £612.69.
This wasn't a one-off example either. The insurer quoted many similar differences including for a 55-year-old female in Southampton driving a Saab 9-5 who could pick up a premium for just £148.00 through Swiftcover and yet would be charged £246.94 through Sheila's Wheels and £589.55 with Diamond.
Cynics would argue that Swiftcover has hand-picked the examples to show off the savings made through its service. However, there is a clear message for female motorists to shop around - preferably by using a comparison service - to ensure they're getting the cheapest quote available.
It is important to look beyond price too and consider what you're getting for your money. To their credit, the likes of Diamond and Sheila's Wheels offer incentives such as handbag cover, female-friendly repairers and courtesy cars.
Once you've found a policy with the level of cover you need, look to save money where possible by enhancing the vehicle's security, parking in a garage overnight, driving at pre-agreed times and avoiding convictions.
You can also enjoy cheap car insurance by paying annually instead of monthly, as many companies charge interest on monthly car insurance installments.

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03.24  No comments

All About Swiftcover Insurance Tips & Guide

Swift related to speed. So, as the name suggests, Swiftcover insurance swear that you are going to get an insurance quote withinone minute of the investigation. Swiftcover is an online insurance company. They have a comprehensive Web site that gives all and any information about the company. The details are included in the Web site Swiftcover is the point. They also provide lots of flexibility in their policy that some other insurance companies may be able tomatch.

So, basically you can save your time, you just need to save your quotes and details, and then these companies will make an agreement to submit the insurance documents actually use a technology. You can get a printout then and there. Thus, at Swiftcover insurance system is a hassle-free. Their services and policies that cover is relatively cheap, allowing space for a big discount to its customers. This is because, they do not need to take advantage of their operational expenses at all. Also has a program where they are ready to offer your money back, if you happen to geta cheaper policy within a period of 14 days.

You might expect a lot of companies that maintain and manage, and have access to a variety of insurance market relationships, most of those who enter with the AXA Group. Similar to your expectations, Swiftcover also able to offer market access to travel insurance, pet insurance market and cover up distractions. A point to note here that all these services are offered at a competitive price. You may know a number of websites that get something set up and then start with a big spike. However, they disappear within months of launch. However, Swiftcover has been able to transfer their business model car insurance with some other areas and they have succeeded in their efforts. Today, there are cut-throat competition among the insurance companies. But, as markets become more and more competitive, Swiftcover has been able to go one step before the competition, in connection with their services and fees, those that have the highest.

This may look very strange to you, but Swiftcover has managed to stand upright for a very good comparison to the big or popular car company insurance such as AA, RAC and More Than. Although low-cost approach, they are also willing to pay big dividends.

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22.59  No comments

Winter Months Are Worst For Car Insurance Claims

As the nights get darker and the clocks go back, more people are claiming on their car insurance. It seems that September, October and November are the worst months for any crime-related car insurance claims.

Apparently, a whopping 10.4% of all car insurance claims occur in October as drivers get used to driving in the dark. It seems that the last few months in the year prove to be the most expensive for car insurance companies and are proving stressful for drivers - 30 % of all claims are made during this time.

Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, echoes this point ""With the seasons changing, nights drawing in and driving conditions becoming hazardous, motorists should pay extra attention when driving and should make sure that they are equipped should they have an accident or breakdown."

And if coping with driving in the dark isn't enough, drivers need to be aware of more stolen vehicles, theft of possessions within the car and even vandalism of your motor. It looks like these longer nights have increased opportunity for criminal activity under the cover of darkness.

Of a poll of 1000 customers conducted by car insurance company Swinton, 28% said they are more worried about their cars during the autumn months but only 7% said they take extra precautions during this time.

For those who do wish to take further precautions here is the following advice:

Never leave valuables on display in a car when left unattended

Store your car in a secure garage where possible

Fit a certified alarm and immobilizer to your car

Try to park in a well lit area and always lock the door

Steve Chelton, insurer development manager at Swinton car insurance said: "Motorists must take extra precautions during the long nights of the autumn months. Being a victim of car crime can be very distressing and by following simple precautions it may deter thieves from identifying your car as their next target."

Julia R Smith is a freelance writer for Swiftcover.com - the UK's only 100% online insurance company. We offer motor insurance, travel insurance, and home insurance and pet insurance quotes in less than 60 seconds.

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08.21  No comments

Mobile Phone Quotes and Easy Access to Car Insurance

Via your mobile phone, more than just receiving or making a call, it's now easier for one to perform a lot of functions. More importantly, the number of things that could be done with a mobile phone is increasing by the day. One of the very latest additions is the access motorists could have to car insurance quotes online even while miles away from home or their computer.
This innovation, courtesy of the UK's fastest growing motor insurer Swiftcover.com, will enable motorists to also be able to compare cars at a second-hand-car-dealer or filling time while travelling.
In the past similar services could be accessed only via such devices as PC or PDA. Apart from the questions of accessibility, it was always not the most convenient means of getting insurance quotes. This new device is, as such, a milestone achievement.
The issue of convenience aside, with the introduction of mobile phone quotes, motorists will also be able to get an accurate quote, based on the driver's claims history and the car registration, even while on the move.
One more interesting thing about the device is that the service is available 24 hours a day, it is easy to use and customers can access the mobile site by either texting 'Swift' to 80231 or by clicking on a special link from their mobile phone provider's mobile home page.
This will take them to a simple form which will ask them for their name, postcode, car registration, date of birth, occupation and years of no claims. They will then get a no-obligation quote in less than 60 seconds after filling in the required information.
Significantly, this saves the time and trouble of having to visit insurance agents in person or waiting to get hold of a PC to be able to get quotes.
At a time when people are increasingly counselled on the importance of comparing quotes and taking time to shop around for the cheapest and, possibly, the best policy that suits one's needs, there is no better time to have this improvement than now.
More so, even for insurers the innovation overrides the need for time-consuming paper work and consultation as everything is made clear and user-friendly.
Commenting on the development, marketing director at swiftcover.com, Tina Shortle argued that anyone intending to spend a lot of money on a new car would need to know much about the car, including how much they would be spending to insure it. And with this service, it means the information will be handy.
With car insurance playing a more important role in helping motorists save costs of motoring, given the rising price of fuel and general maintenance, drivers will be able to decide on how do compare quotes and go for the one that will help in economising their expenses.
Thus, the aim of introducing mobile phone quotes by swiftcover.com could be achieved, which "is to make car insurance as easy, simple and convenient as possible", as explained by Ms Shortle. What is now left is for motorists to make use of the device to their advantage.

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12.41  1 comment

Are Women Missing Out on Cheaper Car Insurance?

Statistics have been released by car insurance provider Swiftcover, highlighting the need for female drivers to look beyond the policies that are advertised directly to them when shopping around for car insurance.
According to the provider's research, the UK's 18.9million women drivers could face car insurance premiums with differences of more than £600 a year. Its research found that a 35-year-old female living in Birmingham driving a Volkswagen Passat with one speeding conviction to their name could be charged as much as £944.45 a year through female car insurance specialist Diamond. The same driver however, could pick up a quote for just £331.76 through Swiftcover itself - a difference of £612.69.
This wasn't a one-off example either. The insurer quoted many similar differences including for a 55-year-old female in Southampton driving a Saab 9-5 who could pick up a premium for just £148.00 through Swiftcover and yet would be charged £246.94 through Sheila's Wheels and £589.55 with Diamond.
Cynics would argue that Swiftcover has hand-picked the examples to show off the savings made through its service. However, there is a clear message for female motorists to shop around - preferably by using a comparison service - to ensure they're getting the cheapest quote available.
It is important to look beyond price too and consider what you're getting for your money. To their credit, the likes of Diamond and Sheila's Wheels offer incentives such as handbag cover, female-friendly repairers and courtesy cars.
Once you've found a policy with the level of cover you need, look to save money where possible by enhancing the vehicle's security, parking in a garage overnight, driving at pre-agreed times and avoiding convictions.
You can also enjoy cheap car insurance by paying annually instead of monthly, as many companies charge interest on monthly car insurance installments.
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08.16  No comments