Taking your car on holiday with you, traveling to France, Italy etc. is now both more attractive and easier now that we have Eurotunnel, ferry services and satellite navigation systems that work pretty much anywhere.

You will however need to ensure you have a “foreign use” extension on your car insurance policy to cover your vehicle in the countries you will driving it in.

A lot of companies include the 1st 60 days free in any EU country as a policy enhancement, but anyone planning to go on an extended journey beyond this sort of period or to other parts of the world should contact their insurers.

If your insurer can’t accommodate you, have a chat with other people you know who have undertaken similar journeys or contact the British Insurance Brokers’ Association who may be able to help you and provide details of specialist insurers.

You will also need to check out the legal requirements for all of the countries you are driving through as their legislation may differ tot hat in the UK. As an example, in France it is recommended to wear a reflective jacket when exiting a vehicle whilst stopped on the carriageway or on the side of a road outside a built up area.

It is absolutely prohibited to carry, transport or use radar detectors. Failure to comply with this regulation involves a fine of up to 1500 Euros and you could even have your vehicle confiscated.

On 1 July 2008, a law came into force in France making it compulsory to carry a reflective jacket (EN471) and a warning triangle (ECE R27). However, this regulation will not be enforceable with on-the-spot fines until 1st October 2008, when the fine will be between 90 and 135 Euros.

Be warned however, that there are reports of some motorists experiencing difficulties and being fined now, for not carrying reflective jackets so you are therefore strongly recommended to carry a triangle and at least one reflective jacket inside your car if visiting France.

This law does not apply to drivers of two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles.

A study has shown that on average, car insurance premiums rose by nearly 6% in 2007.

The study indicated that the biggest rises (approximately 10%) were passed on to those drivers over the age of 65 years of age.

The younger drivers age under 25 years of age saw increases of between 2 – 3 %, which was a little unexpected considering the younger age groups still cost the insurance industry the most money when it comes to claims etc.

This isn’t to say that policyholders are not going to be able to realise savings – The AA report that a 65 year old living in the South West may still be able to make a reasonable saving on their renewal premium with process varying across insurers by up to 35%.

Car insurance premiums continue to rise and are now at their highest for several years making it more important than ever to put yourself out and take the time to make sure your insurer is rewarding your loyalty by offering you competitive, affordable and above all, a quality product.

On the plus side, the lady drivers out there can take comfort in that insurance companies still consider you a better risk – your average premiums are around £70 less than the men’s.

The deaths figure caused by uninsured drivers has increased by almost a third over the last six years whilst offenders have been receiving softer penalties. Issued fines for driving whilst uninsured have dropped by 17% since 1997, decreasing from £224 to £185, however, uninsured drivers are killing a higher number of people (4 per week).

The Government has published these statistics as they prepare to crack down on reckless driving, including texting, applying make-up and drinking coffee at the wheel. They will also be looking at uninsured drivers, and it is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million of them in Britain!

Under the new laws that came into force on Monday 18 August, anyone causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or un-insured will be looking at a sentence of up to 2 years in prison. Previous rules only permitted The present rules courts to fine uninsured drivers up to £5,000 and did not include the power to impose custodial sentences.

Several road safety experts and MPs have been condemning the initiative as “too little, too late”.
They refer to a study that showed 208 people died in accidents in 2006 caused by uninsured drivers, whereas there were 160 in 2000, which is the first year where accurate figures are available.

According to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, uninsured drivers cost the insurance industry around £500 million a year in claims adding approximately £30 to all car insurance policyholders annual premiums.

The Government expects somewhere in the region of 150 motorists per year to be jailed after being convicted of death by careless driving. Equally, motorists causing fatal accidents while on their mobiles, putting on their make up or even having a drink could also also face jail sentences of up to five years.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said: “Uninsured driving is absolutely unacceptable. That is why the Government gave the police increased powers to seize and crush uninsured cars, which they used to seize 450 vehicles a day in 2007.

One in three consumers is paying over the odds for car insurance, according to the RAC. Nearly half of Brits do not bother to seek a number of quotes and one in four renew their car cover instantly, without using the opportunity to save hundreds of pounds.
With the grim suggestion in the news recently that there has been no economic growth in the UK during July, there is a strong suggestion that we may be starting to drift into some kind of recession.

It make sense therefore to remind ourselves how we can help look after some of those pennies by looking at look at ways we can keep those car insurance premiums down.

1. Shop around – most people tend to obtain 3 alternative quotes for their car insurance but reports suggest individuals need to obtain quotes from seven insurers in order to get the best deal - Be careful though, it’s important to make sure that you are comparing cover. Although some policies may appear cheaper, you may find the level of cover differs.

2. If you’re a woman or a mature driver, check out one of the tailored policies now available.

3. Avoid opting for “Any Driver” policies. Restrict driving to regular drivers. You can add someone for a few days when they really need to drive the car.

4. Think about protecting your no-claims bonus. This may increase the premium, but can be extremely beneficial if you are unfortunate enough to have to make a claim.

5. Increase your voluntary excess. Agreeing to pay more towards the cost of any accident repairs will bring down premiums. If you are not at fault in an accident, the excess can be recovered.

6. Fitting an approved alarm, immobiliser or tracking device can attract a discount of around 5%.

7. Agree to a mileage restriction. The fewer miles the car covers, the greater the saving. For example, a reduction in annual mileage of 5,000 miles could save a typical 35-year-old female driver about £50 a year in premiums. A cut of 10,000 miles a year could save more than £100 - But you must be honest with yourself and realistic about all these ideas. As an example, if your annual mileage is greater than you stipulate, you could risk having any claim declined.

7. Refrain from including young, inexperienced drivers on your policy, as it’s a false economy. The premium will usually be based on the youngest driver and he or she will not be building up their own no-claims bonus.

8. If you use your car in connection with your employers business, see if they will pay the additional insurance premium.

9. If you have a garage, use it! There is a higher risk of theft if you keep your car on the road. Keeping it in the garage can help reduce premiums. Maybe invest in some durable roller shutters or reinforced steel doors.

10. Drive more carefully. Join the Pass Plus scheme or take an advanced drivers’ course. Both offer discounts - up to 35% - from some of the major insurers.

The new 58 Plate will be released on 1 September and the new car market is full of attractive offers, giving new car buyers wanting a 58 plate a huge selection of cars to choose from.

Here are a few tips to help you work your way through the maze of cars and options available.

1. Start by calculating how much money you want to spend – don’t immediately discount the finance packages on offer by suppliers.  They can sometimes be worthwhile, even if you have the cash put aside. The finance deals may make it worth your while leaving your cash in an account earning more interest than the interest charges the supplier is applying to any finance deal. Talk to your bank. We always want the car that is just out of our price range. Think carefully before stretching your finances too much – there is a credit crunch going on at the moment and there is no sign of it easing!

2. Make sure you conduct a thorough test drive – a quick drive “around the block” is not enough – make sure you try the car on different road surfaces, in busy areas and on the open road.

3. Make sure all the controls are user friendly and positioned where you like them and it is comfortable to drive – don’t forget to let any regular passengers ride in the car with you – it may not be suitable for them. There is little point buying a car that is not suitable for them.

4. Check out the servicing costs and manufacturer’s warranty offered – it’s all very good getting a cheap new car but if your servicing costs are high, this could make the deal less attractive. 

5.  Read reviews on the vehicles that appear to meet your requirements.

6. Check optional extras – it’s always nice to have them but discipline yourself to select only those that you want, and will use – be practical, don’t let the salesman talk you into having those little extras you will never use – they are not cheap and can quickly move the price up.

7. The type and model of car, your age, health and previous driving and accident history can affect your insurance premium so don’t forget to check out your insurance premium for this new car.

8. Don’t forget, the salesman is paid to sell – don’t be pushed into buying something you are not 100% satisfied with – weed out those parts of their  sales pitch that is irrelevant before making your decision.

9. Finally, get out on that road and enjoy! – happy and safe driving!!

Drink driving should not just be associated with the festive season warns uSwitch.com. Analysis of road traffic accidents reveals a 4% rise in drink driving casualties in August compared to December.

New research from uSwitch.com reveals the summer can bring out reckless behaviour amongst British motorists. 14% (5.6million) get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, despite feeling uncertain about whether they are safe to do so. On top of this, 1 in 5 drivers say they feel more tempted to drive fast in the summer months, with 7% (2.8 million) admitting to breaking the speed limit.

500,000 drivers are stopped and breathalysed every year, 20% of these are found to be over the legal limit and prosecuted. Convicted drivers can expect their car insurance premiums to rocket by an average of 63% (£334.06).

Young male drivers can expect to pay the highest penalty, with insurance premiums increasing by 101% (£1,236.76) on average.
There are around 600,000 drivers with drink-driving convictions in the UK with Bristol (4,858) having the highest number of drivers with endorsements on their policies.

A conviction will stay on your licence for over a decade. Any amount of alcohol impairs your driving, slowing reaction times and leaving you more at risk of being involved in some kind of accident, so the safest and most sensible answer is simply not to drink and drive.

Long gone are the days when insurance companies just accept your claim without question. That is not to say that all claims are treated as suspicious when they reach a claim administrators desk, but they have experience and access to numerous databases to help them weed out those likely to be fraudulent as this man from the Midlands found out to his cost.
A self-employed electrician whose work dried up due to the slump in the housing market burned out his high-performance sports car to claim on the insurance, a court heard.

Andrew Maxwell, of Blithfield Road, Brownhills, dumped his Subaru Impreza seven miles from his house and set it alight in a bid to claim more than £14,000, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told yesterday.

Miss Mary Loram, defending the 44-year-old, said:

“The severe downturn in the housing market hasn’t provided him with much work. People do things that are out of character when they are in trouble. He will not be the first person to appear in court for dishonesty because of the current economic climate. He has worked hard to build up a good career but work is sporadic at the moment and he is unsure of his monthly income. People like Andrew Maxwell suffer enough when they appear in court – this isn’t exactly crime of the century but he is taking it really seriously and in his world, it is crime of the century.”

Mr Paul Reed, prosecuting, said when police officers visited Maxwell’s house to inform him of the “theft” there was no glass on the driveway and he did not seem surprised by the news.

Mr Reed said the insurance company were also suspicious due to the high value of the car and Maxwell’s “evasive” attitude.

“A friend told police he had told them he was going to burn out his car and claim on the insurance,” Mr Reed added. “An expert also said the alarm system in the car made it virtually unpinchable.”

Judge Michael Dudley sentenced Maxwell to 9 months in prison suspended for 18 months, 180 hours unpaid work, £900 costs and a curfew from 9pm until 7am.
Needless to say, his insurance claim was refused and as you see, he now has a criminal record aswell! Was it worth it - I doubt it very much, so please, don’t be tempted!

Muslim drivers in Britain will now be able to obtain car insurance that abides by Islamic law.

The company, a first of its kind, has a shareholder-owned parent company, provides all the services that conventional insurers do, while obeying the teachings of the Koran.

It does not invest in organisations associated with gambling, alcohol or pork. It is not allowed to take financial risks or speculate with revenue, but instead the risk is shared between policyholders.

The policyholders pay into a fund, which is then invested in Sharia-compliant ventures. Any profits are ploughed back into the fund.
Claims are paid from the pooled sum and surplus cash is distributed as discount for the following year’s premium. This is in addition to any conventional no-claims bonus offered like standard companies.

Peter Staddon, of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, said

“It’s exciting to see a completely new product on the market. And I think there will be many people — Muslim and non-Muslim — who will want to switch to a company that does not invest in weapons, alcohol or gambling.”

A committee of three independent Muslim scholars monitor the activities of the firm.

Until now it has targeted the Muslim community through Islamic publications and on billboards, but it hopes to attract customers of all religious backgrounds with its business model.

There’s no milk in the fridge and you really can’t function first thing in the morning without that customary cup of tea before doing battle with the kids, getting them ready for school and then listening to the arguments over who sits where when you go to take them to school in the car.

Hubby goes to the shop, grabbing his wallet and car keys on his way out the door. There’s no-one around, he gets out of the car to go into the shop, leaving the engine running as usual. 

We have all done it! I know I have on many occasions!

Mission accomplished, milk purchased. On looking up after leaving the shop, he notices the cars not there!

Some lovely person has decided to steal it!

Walking home, getting grumpier by the minute, hubby reflects – he knows it was stupid and that he will get so much grief, not only from the wife but he is going to be very late for work (if he gets there at all – another day’s pay lost  and the boss will not be happy!)

Home at last, he explains the car has been stolen, not bothering to explain that he had left the engine running whilst he went in the shop. He calls the police to report the incident; they put an alert out, giving him an incident reference number for his insurance claim.

He contacts the insurer; they sympathise but advise that as he is insured on a Third Party Fire and Theft basis, he is not entitled to a replacement vehicle whilst his claim is sorted. They will send an insurance claim form out immediately. Great! No transport and so much to do!

A familiar story. We all rely on our vehicles so much, taking them for granted, assuming they will always be there at our beck and call.

He arranges for a hire car costing £40 per day until the claim is sorted or the car is recovered, hopefully undamaged.

Two days later, the claim form is received. He completes the claim form and returns it the same day.

After a week, the car has still not been found. The insurers write back refusing the claim.

Why??

There is no doubt that the policy covers the policyholder against vehicle theft.

There is however, an important exclusion!

You must take all reasonable steps to safeguard the vehicle against loss or damage. Your vehicle must be locked with any security devices activated, and ensure you remove all keys and keyless entry devices when the vehicle is unattended.

Theft continues to be a big problem and doesn’t seem to be slowing down even though manufacturers are constantly looking to improve security of vehicles. None of these systems however will help you if you leave the keys in the car!

Insurers, whilst sympathetic, are not going to relax their policy conditions just because of the problems caused as a result of you losing the use of your vehicle.

So be warned!

There are numerous vehicles available nowadays that claim to help the environment and many people are becoming more conscious and actually doing their bit by purchasing these type of vehicles.

 

Hybrid cars generally use a combination of two power sources.  The most common hybrids currently available on the market use both electric motors and the petrol combustion engines.  Batteries charge and act as a storage device to power an electric motor, usually working when the vehicle is travelling at low speed or in traffic, therefore ideal for city driving.  The petrol engine, usually a small efficient unit then powers the car when more power is needed such as at higher speeds allowing the combustion engine to only operate at its more optimum efficient speeds.  A number of manufactures have announced plans for diesel-electric hybrids which could be available a soon as 2008.
 
The combustion engine is used to recharge the battery cells along with regenerative braking, therefore hybrid cars do not need to be plugged into an external power supply.  This combination of battery power and internal combustion engine produces less pollution and CO2 as no gases are released when the electric motor is running. 

Some insurers are now actively encouraging people to be more environmentally conscious by offering cheaper premiums. There are others out there however, that are not actively publicising it yet so it still pays to shop around.