As weather forecasters say we could be in for a week of thunderstorms, motorists are being warned to check their insurance policies before venturing out into the elements.
Storm Isha is due to hit the UK with strong winds and heavy rain, with gusts of up to 80mph in some areas.
Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods might not be covered by insurance policies.
It warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.
If drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.
If motorists have an open or soft top vehicle, they are best to avoid driving if they know thunderstorms are coming.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Motorists who have taken out third party only or third-party, fire and theft insurance wouldn’t be covered for any storm damage to their vehicles – only fully-comprehensive policyholders are likely to be protected in those cases.
“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more time for your journey, note you may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – not forgetting to put on the hazard lights.
“Unfortunately, if motorists do decide to drive through waterlogged roads, there’s a very real risk that they won’t be covered for any resulting water damage to the car – even fully-comprehensive drivers.”
Greg also warns motorists that have to go out, to make sure their cars are roadworthy before setting off, which includes checking tyre tread and windscreen wipers.
2023 was particularly harsh on young drivers, with premiums soaring by over 50% as the cost-of-living pressures took effect.
The sky-high cost of learning to drive combined with these higher insurance premiums and new emissions costs for older cars, are all making it a struggle for young drivers to get on the roads.
Data shows the average car insurance premium for young 18-year-old drivers increased to £1207 in 2023.
The experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed ten savings hacks to help young drivers give their finances a fresh start for the new year.
One of the most important things for young drivers is to be safe and avoid penalty points, a fifth of convicted drivers in the UK have been driving for a year or less – according to a sample of over 15,000 convicted drivers, analysed by Quotezone.co.uk.
Penalty points on a licence may not only result in a steep fine but will also bump up the insurance costs. Drivers can expect premiums to rise by 5% for three points and 25% for six points if they’re starting from a clean licence.
Young drivers or those with penalty points may be able to get cheaper insurance by opting for a telematics policy, or black box insurance.
Black box insurance starts collecting data on their driving immediately, if they’re a safe driver, this can help the insurer see them as less of a risk and may result in a more competitive price. Although, like all premiums this year, prices are on the rise, in 2023 telematics was still able to save young drivers an average of £75 annually.
Age group 18-24
NO telematics
YES telematics
2021
£1199
£938
2022
£1047
£1050
2023
£1230
£1155
Quotezone.co.uk CEO Greg Wilson said: “Young drivers had a tough 2023 with delays to driving tests and backlogs for lessons plus the rising cost of everything associated with motoring – insurance, repairs, fuel – we’re hoping 2024 is a much better and cheaper year for those new to the road.
“There are lots of things young drivers can do to help bring the cost of driving down, from knowing how to avoid even the most unusual fines and penalty points to installing a black box and keeping modifications and mileage to a minimum.
“We’re researched the top 10 ways we think will help young drivers save in 2024 along with the essentials such as shopping around and comparing product details, annual payments if possible and reviewing when exactly is the best time to buy, normally three weeks before the policy is due for renewal is the most competitive.
“Passing your test and taking to the road for the first time is a rite of passage and it would be worrying if new drivers started to struggle to make driving a reality due to cost, hopefully our money saving tips go some way to making a more affordable 2024.”
Quotezone.co.uk’s Top ten hacks that could help young drivers save:
1. Do check your mileage
When taking out insurance, you will be asked to estimate your annual mileage. The costs will rise in incremental bands so the more miles you drive, the more you pay so try to be accurate and realistic with your prediction.
2. Do park in a safe place
Car owners that make use of their garages, driveways or carports for overnight parking could make big savings on their car insurance – parking on driveways rather than on the road can save you over £140 on average every year and carports could save you even more, with £230 savings on average.
3. Do consider switching to a smaller engine
Be sure to check your vehicle’s engine size and horsepower, both can impact the cost of your premium. Also, some small engines are turbocharged and that can give them more power than might be expected, which will likely cause the premium to increase.
4. Do keep modifications to a minimum
It comes as no surprise that adding a custom exhaust or putting in lowered suspension might cause insurance premiums to rise, but even seemingly innocuous changes such as addingbranding to a vehicle can affect the cost.
5. Do consider a black box
A telematics policy, or black box insurance – starts collecting driving data immediately, this can help the insurer with their risk analysis, safer driving increases the chances of a competitive price for young drivers.
6. Don’t over pack the vehicle
Packing items above the seat line will impair vision, while heavy loads are likely to affect a car’s handling and stopping distances. Overloading a car past its capacity is a punishable offence, with a fine of up to £300 and 3 points. Driving without full visibility out all windows is also punishable and could result in a £50 fixed penalty.
7. Don’t forget your sunglasses
Sunglasses are labelled with a ranking from zero to four in order to determine their strength and the time of day they can be worn. The average pair of sunglasses is categorised as a number two – these are recommended for daytime driving. Driving with inappropriate eyewear could be detrimental to other road users, leaving drivers unable to detect dangers. Motorists could be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine and up to three penalty points for driving without due care or attention.
8. Don’t use the wrong fuel
Misfuelling is one of the most expensive mistakes motorists make. Pumping diesel fuel into a petrol car can lead to engine failure, leaving motorists to pick up the maintenance costs. Rule 97 of the Highway Code states before drivers set off, they should ensure they have ‘sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving’. Careless or dangerous driving caused by low fuel will see motorists face fines of up to £100 and three points on their license.
9. Don’t leave the car switched on while waiting for friends
‘Idling’ or leaving the engine running unnecessarily while stationary on a public road goes against Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act. Drivers risk a £20 penalty notice that will double if not paid in full within 28 days. According to research conducted by Quotezone.co.uk, almost 11% of drivers fail to turn off their engines while waiting.**
10. Don’t splash pedestrians
Splashing pedestrians is actually illegal under section three of the Road Traffic Act, 1988 – and is considered to be driving ‘without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road’ – resulting in a fine of £100 and three penalty points on the licence, in some cases, fines can reach as much as £5,000 for driving without reasonable consideration for others on the road.
2023 was particularly harsh on young drivers, with premiums soaring by over 50% as the cost-of-living pressures took effect.
The sky-high cost of learning to drive combined with these higher insurance premiums and new emissions costs for older cars, are all making it a struggle for young drivers to get on the roads.
Data shows the average car insurance premium for young 18-year-old drivers increased to £1207 in 2023.
The experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed ten savings hacks to help young drivers give their finances a fresh start for the new year.
One of the most important things for young drivers is to be safe and avoid penalty points, a fifth of convicted drivers in the UK have been driving for a year or less – according to a sample of over 15,000 convicted drivers, analysed by Quotezone.co.uk.
Penalty points on a licence may not only result in a steep fine but will also bump up the insurance costs. Drivers can expect premiums to rise by 5% for three points and 25% for six points if they’re starting from a clean licence.
Young drivers or those with penalty points may be able to get cheaper insurance by opting for a telematics policy, or black box insurance.
Black box insurance starts collecting data on their driving immediately, if they’re a safe driver, this can help the insurer see them as less of a risk and may result in a more competitive price. Although, like all premiums this year, prices are on the rise, in 2023 telematics was still able to save young drivers an average of £75 annually.
Age group 18-24
NO telematics
YES telematics
2021
£1199
£938
2022
£1047
£1050
2023
£1230
£1155
Quotezone.co.uk CEO Greg Wilson said: “Young drivers had a tough 2023 with delays to driving tests and backlogs for lessons plus the rising cost of everything associated with motoring – insurance, repairs, fuel – we’re hoping 2024 is a much better and cheaper year for those new to the road.
“There are lots of things young drivers can do to help bring the cost of driving down, from knowing how to avoid even the most unusual fines and penalty points to installing a black box and keeping modifications and mileage to a minimum.
“We’re researched the top 10 ways we think will help young drivers save in 2024 along with the essentials such as shopping around and comparing product details, annual payments if possible and reviewing when exactly is the best time to buy, normally three weeks before the policy is due for renewal is the most competitive.
“Passing your test and taking to the road for the first time is a rite of passage and it would be worrying if new drivers started to struggle to make driving a reality due to cost, hopefully our money saving tips go some way to making a more affordable 2024.”
Quotezone.co.uk’s Top ten hacks that could help young drivers save:
1. Do check your mileage
When taking out insurance, you will be asked to estimate your annual mileage. The costs will rise in incremental bands so the more miles you drive, the more you pay so try to be accurate and realistic with your prediction.
2. Do park in a safe place
Car owners that make use of their garages, driveways or carports for overnight parking could make big savings on their car insurance – parking on driveways rather than on the road can save you over £140 on average every year and carports could save you even more, with £230 savings on average.
3. Do consider switching to a smaller engine
Be sure to check your vehicle’s engine size and horsepower, both can impact the cost of your premium. Also, some small engines are turbocharged and that can give them more power than might be expected, which will likely cause the premium to increase.
4. Do keep modifications to a minimum
It comes as no surprise that adding a custom exhaust or putting in lowered suspension might cause insurance premiums to rise, but even seemingly innocuous changes such as addingbranding to a vehicle can affect the cost.
5. Do consider a black box
A telematics policy, or black box insurance – starts collecting driving data immediately, this can help the insurer with their risk analysis, safer driving increases the chances of a competitive price for young drivers.
6. Don’t over pack the vehicle
Packing items above the seat line will impair vision, while heavy loads are likely to affect a car’s handling and stopping distances. Overloading a car past its capacity is a punishable offence, with a fine of up to £300 and 3 points. Driving without full visibility out all windows is also punishable and could result in a £50 fixed penalty.
7. Don’t forget your sunglasses
Sunglasses are labelled with a ranking from zero to four in order to determine their strength and the time of day they can be worn. The average pair of sunglasses is categorised as a number two – these are recommended for daytime driving. Driving with inappropriate eyewear could be detrimental to other road users, leaving drivers unable to detect dangers. Motorists could be hit with a £100 on-the-spot fine and up to three penalty points for driving without due care or attention.
8. Don’t use the wrong fuel
Misfuelling is one of the most expensive mistakes motorists make. Pumping diesel fuel into a petrol car can lead to engine failure, leaving motorists to pick up the maintenance costs. Rule 97 of the Highway Code states before drivers set off, they should ensure they have ‘sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving’. Careless or dangerous driving caused by low fuel will see motorists face fines of up to £100 and three points on their license.
9. Don’t leave the car switched on while waiting for friends
‘Idling’ or leaving the engine running unnecessarily while stationary on a public road goes against Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act. Drivers risk a £20 penalty notice that will double if not paid in full within 28 days. According to research conducted by Quotezone.co.uk, almost 11% of drivers fail to turn off their engines while waiting.**
10. Don’t splash pedestrians
Splashing pedestrians is actually illegal under section three of the Road Traffic Act, 1988 – and is considered to be driving ‘without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road’ – resulting in a fine of £100 and three penalty points on the licence, in some cases, fines can reach as much as £5,000 for driving without reasonable consideration for others on the road.
Brits are being warned failure to properly protect their caravans against theft or damage this summer could have huge financial consequences.
Motoring experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn thousands of holidaymakers could be seriously out of pocket if an uninsured caravan is stolen or damaged while parked.
With many motorists set to take to the roads with touring caravans in tow this summer, experts are warning of the consequences for having incorrect caravan insurance.
Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan.
However, with 4,000 caravans stolen each year, specific insurance to cover the costs of theft is the best way to ensure Britons aren’t left out of pocket.*
Car insurance will not cover a caravan while it is parked or if it sustains damage. This is why experts encourage Britons to take out dedicated caravan insurance.
Caravan insurance protects those who are victim to theft of personal belongings or fire damage to their caravan.
Leaving a caravan vulnerable to tampering, accidental damage or theft could also leave holidaymakers paying hefty sums to fix or repurchase their caravan.
Brits are encouraged to make sure they are keeping their caravan as secure as possible, with over 17% of those surveyed choosing to park their caravan in a communal caravan park.
Before setting off with a caravan in tow this summer, holidaymakers must alert their insurer to let them know of plans and make sure the vehicle is fully covered.
Insurance providers may wish to adjust premiums of those towing caravans. Failure to update providers may lead to refusal to pay out on any claims made.
It is also important for motorists to review their breakdown cover, as some policies will only cover car breakdowns. This could leave motorists having to leave their caravan behind in the case of a car emergency.
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “With caravan thefts on the rise and so many due to travel this summer, it has never been a more important time to make sure you are fully insured against any accidents or emergencies.
“Although sorting insurance isn’t the most exciting summer prep. It could help you from forking out on repairs or covering recovery for your touring caravan in the case of a breakdown on the way to your holiday destination.
“Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan, but this doesn’t cover everything.
“We encourage anyone towing a caravan to take out specific insurance for their home away from home. This way, you can get off on your holiday with no worries over cover for your vehicle or caravan.
“But, we also wanted to provide some safety tips to ensure your caravan is as protected as possible this summer.
Here are Quotezone’s top tips to keep caravans safe from theft or damage:
Secure storage
Many Brits are able to park their caravans at their private residence on a driveway with a barrier, but those without this option must choose carefully before securing their touring caravan for extended periods of time. If parking at a communal caravan park, make sure to remove all valuables or keep them out of sight for anyone who may be able to peer in through the windows. Make sure to also choose a reputable park with good access control.
Wheel locks
There are wheel locks designed for caravans to make it impossible for anyone to remove without your say-so. Make sure to buy one for caravans specifically in order to get the most effective outcome.
Install a caravan alarm
There are lots of caravan alarms on the market for those looking to take extra measures to keep their holiday home secure. A great deterrent for thieves is to make it clear you have an alarm installed by putting stickers in your windows. If parked in a caravan park, the loud noise caused by the alarm will not only deter thieves from your caravan but will also let other owners know there are potential thieves in the park grounds.
Storing at home
If storing your caravan at home, try to make sure you can park it to the side or back of your house if possible. Those who aren’t able to do this should park their car behind their caravan on a driveway or use a cover to disguise the van’s worth and attractiveness for potential thefts.
As weather forecasters say we could be in for a weekend of thunderstorms, motorists are being warned to check their insurance policies before venturing out into the elements.
The Met Office says a ‘hotter than normal’ weekend will bring outbreaks of torrential downpours and thunderstorms as temperatures cool after the heatwave.
Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods might not be covered by insurance policies. It warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.
If drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.*
If motorists have an open or soft top vehicle, they are best to avoid driving if they know thunderstorms are coming.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Motorists who have taken out third party only or third-party, fire and theft insurance wouldn’t be covered for any storm damage to their vehicles – only fully-comprehensive policyholders are likely to be protected in those cases.
“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more time for your journey, note you may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – not forgetting to put on the hazard lights.
“Unfortunately, if motorists do decide to drive through waterlogged roads, there’s a very real risk that they won’t be covered for any resulting water damage to the car – even fully-comprehensive drivers.”
Greg also warns motorists that have to go out, to make sure their cars are roadworthy before setting off, which includes checking tyre tread and windscreen wipers.
Drivers are being warned about the worsening condition of roads across the UK as recent data reveals that 90% of insurance claims come from potholes.
Experts from leading price comparison website Quotezone.co.uk are calling on the government and local councils to not let the pothole problem get even worse.
With a long winter of bad weather ahead motorists will run an increased risk of damaging vehicles by driving over potholes if UK roads are not properly maintained.
Spending on road maintenance has almost halved since the financial crisis just over a decade ago, and the recent cost-of-living crisis has further reduced potholes on the priority list.
Even temporary pothole fixtures – which involves filling the hole with a form of asphalt treatment – have also decreased by almost half in some counties.
There are also claims from members of the public that councils are not properly inspecting potholes that have been reported online.
Several county councils have admitted that filling in potholes is no longer a priority as a result of the rising cost of living, with less funding for UK highways.
And with an expected bad weather spell to last well into the New Year with rising levels of snow, ice and rain – it will no doubt make potholes even worse.
With a combination of bad weather and lack of funding, the UK is likely sitting on a disaster waiting to happen and the pothole problem may soon get out of hand.
With nine in 10 insurance claims coming from pothole incidents, Quotezone.co.uk are calling for councils and the government to urgently act on what is a UK-wide problem.
Data shows that the worst pothole affected area in the UK by far is Northumberland, with over 180,000 potholes reported over four years, followed by Cornwall and Kirklees in West Yorkshire.
Newcastle, Liverpool and Suffolk also have some of the worst potholed roads in the UK as well as Fife and Glasgow in Scotland, and Newry, Mourne & Down joined by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon in Northern Ireland.
Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “We all know how bad it can be to drive down roads which are full of potholes, and unfortunately the problem does not seem to be going away.
“With a massive 90% of insurance claims coming from pothole related incidents, most of us have had damage caused by a pothole, or know someone that has.
“We are expecting a winter of extreme weather and with spending on road maintenance on the decline, we could expect to see a significant increase in pothole related claims.
“This will make UK roads more dangerous for all road users, so we’d encourage local authorities and the government to act now ahead of the worsening weather and make a start on fixing the UK’s pothole problem.”
Motorists have been warned not to leave Christmas presents on display in parked vehicles after almost a third admitted to being a victim of car crime.
Experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed that more than one in ten Brits leave their precious presents in the car during the festive season, presenting an ideal opportunity for heartless thieves to ruin Christmas.
New data from Quotezone.co.uk reveals that 11% of us admit to leaving gifts we have purchased for loved ones in our cars while we continue our Christmas shopping or enjoy a night out.
The car insurance comparison experts also asked 1,000 drivers if they had experienced a vehicle break-in, with almost `a third, 31%, confirming they had.
Now they are warning car owners to be more careful this year and ensure presents are kept in the safety of the home, or at least well hidden from view in vehicles.
Better still, take presents straight home from the shops and get them wrapped and placed under the tree.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “It must be a terrible feeling to have carefully chosen or sentimental Christmas presents stolen from a car just before the big day.
“Our data shows that almost one third of drivers have experienced a car break in, yet 11% of us still leave presents in a parked car. Christmas is a time of goodwill but sadly for some thieves it’s a time of opportunity.
“It’s also an incredibly busy time of year, drivers need to remember to be careful and always keep presents hidden out of sight under the boot cover or in the glove box, ideally parked next to a streetlight on a busy street. If the car is left unlocked or the stolen items are in full view, it may invalidate an insurance claim.
“Fully comprehensive car insurance usually includes cover for some possessions damaged or stolen from a car but there’s usually a cap on this amount. If drivers know they’ll be travelling to see family this Christmas and have a large sack of expensive gifts in the car, it would be worth informing their insurer to double check they’re covered and potentially increase the price cap temporarily. Also don’t forget to keep all receipts, they may be needed if they have to make a claim.”
To further prevent car break ins, drivers should park in a well-lit, populated area, ensure that all windows are rolled up, and consider installing a steering-wheel lock, car tracker and immobiliser – if the car doesn’t have one as standard.
Car security is really important any time of the year, but especially during the festive period with expensive and sentimental presents in danger of being stolen and ruining Christmas.
If cars are broken into, drivers should take photos, identify the damage and inform the police – obtaining a crime reference number, also inform the car insurance company as soon as possible.
The amount drivers pay to insure their cars varies widely depending on where in the country they live, new data has revealed.
The average car insurance premiums paid by drivers, show massive regional differences according to newly released data from insurance comparison platformQuotezone.co.uk.
Motorists in London are forking out considerably more than drivers in other parts of the UK, with average premiums in the capital nudging close to £800.
Some motorists may be tempted to move to the South West of England where average premiums are little more than half those in London at just over £400 a year.
Across the UK as a whole drivers paid an average of £548.52 for their annual motor insurance policy.
But regions comprising large rural spaces generally enjoy lower premiums than those that include large cities and urban areas where road accidents and car thefts are statistically more likely to occur.
Drivers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all paid less than the UK average at just £500 a year for their car insurance.
Conversely, motorists in regions such as the North West and West Midlands, which are largely made up of highly populated urban areas, both paid more than £630 a year on average.
As well as the likelihood of accidents and thefts, cities and densely populated urban areas generally have a younger population which is also a factor contributing to higher average car insurance premiums.
The average vehicle value can also be higher in big cities, pushing average premiums up even more, this is particularly true in the capital.
Quotezone.co.uk crunched the numbers on a sample of over 1,000,000 policies, naming London as the most expensive place in the UK to insure a vehicle, with drivers paying £781.01 on average.
The North West of England was the second most expensive place to insure a car with an average premium of £634.36.
The West Midlands region was revealed to be the third most expensive part of the UK for car insurance with an average premium of £630.42, just slightly less than that of the North West.
Drivers in Yorkshire, with its mix of urban and rural landscapes, paid an average premium of £592.27, while those in the North East paid £545.29.
The East Midlands region commanded insurance premiums considerably cheaper than those down the road in the West Midlands with an average premium in the East Midlands being just £538.93.
Perhaps surprisingly, the South East of England region offers motorists good value once those living in London have been factored out, with the average premiums here being just £498.25.
Welsh drivers paid only £493.30 on average while motorists in Northern Ireland enjoyed even better value, paying just £492.39.
Drivers in East Anglia also enjoyed cheaper premiums at just £489.62 on average, while north of the border motorists in Scotland paid even less, at £463.53 on average.
Finally, those car owners in the South West of England, including the rural counties of Devon and Cornwall, enjoyed the best value car insurance in the UK with average premiums of only £422.88.
Quotezone.co.uk founder Greg Wilson said: “When it comes to paying for car insurance there are huge variations depending on where in the country drivers live.
“Insurance companies are very specific and can vary the cost of a policy depending on which postcode the driver lives in but by zooming out a little we can see there are some interesting regional differences as a whole.
“Motorists in big cities tend to pay more and this is particularly true in London. With a greater population density, there are more cars on the road and the likelihood of a prang does increase.
“But there are also other factors at play including the local crime rate, the average age of drivers and the value of the vehicles they are insuring.
“So while the data may tempt some drivers to up sticks and move down to Cornwall, they should be warned that the cost of their premium won’t necessarily decline. There are several other factors insurance providers must consider and each premium is calculated on an individual basis for the person in question.
“It is essential for all motorists to accurately inform their insurance company of their home address as well as any other location where their vehicle is likely to spend more than 30 days. Failing to do so may cause their policy to be invalid if they were to make a claim.”
The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.
This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.
Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen. The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications.
This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.
Other distractions that could be classed as careless driving include ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.
Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.
However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.
“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.
“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”
It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.
Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including breakdown cover, and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.
As the cost-of-living rockets, price comparison experts Quotezone.co.uk asked consumers how they really feel about electric versus fossil fuel cars (petrol/diesel) and which they found most cost effective.
The new survey reveals that 59.3% of petrol/diesel drivers will only consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle ‘when I absolutely have to’. 26.2% said they would buy ‘within the next 5 years’, 10.3% said they would ‘buy now / as soon as is feasibly possible’ and only 4.3% said they’d buy ‘just before the deadline’ – 2030, when the government plan on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
The research also found that the main barrier that is stopping people from buying an electric car is the price, with 35.7% of drivers saying they are too expensive, followed by 20% of people who said range anxiety was a major concern, while worries about the availability of public charging points were cited as an issue by 19.3% of respondents.
Interestingly though, 57.8% of those with electric cars said they were saving over £100 per month compared to their previous fossil fuel vehicle – with 36.6% saving under £100 per month. Only 5.6% didn’t believe they were making savings.
When electric vehicle owners were asked what they didn’t like about their cars, 24.8% said there weren’t enough readily available charging points, followed by range anxiety (20%), broken charging points (19%) and rising energy costs (18%).
The data, compiled by Quotezone.co.uk, was taken from a survey of 500 electric and petrol / diesel car insurance policyholders, completed in August 2022.
Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder, Greg Wilson, comments: “It’s really interesting to see what’s holding people back from going electric and again, lack of infrastructure and car price, appear to be the top offenders that are making it impractical for many to make the switch.
“The hike in car prices is most likely due to the new car shortage, brought about by lack of materials and logistical issues across Europe, causing a spike in shoppers choosing ‘nearly new’ second-hand petrol cars.
“One positive point to bear in mind for those worried about costs is that electric car insurance is now more readily available as the majority of insurance providers have added electric cars to their offering – making it easier for consumers to shop around and get a competitive premium.”
Currently only 2% of cars are hybrid and 3% are electric in the UK. Data from Quotezone.co.uk shows a small increase in customers with electric or hybrid cars of 0.2% from June 2021 compared to June 2022 – with the average cost of those electric vehicles increasing by £5k from £34,000 to £39,000.
The government has been increasing investment in charging points, including grants for motorists, as well as tax relief to help make electric vehicles more affordable.
