Windscreen cover

05/09/2024

https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/car-insurance/windscreen-cover-insurance

29/07/2024

Shrinking proportion of comprehensive cover policies ‘fully cover windscreens’ - The Independent

https://apple.news/AGer4T_ioSt-rKDZEMmPfmw

27/06/2024

Vehicle security expert tells us his top 10 tips to keep your car safe

With criminal gangs increasingly using new technology and methods to steal cars, especially those with a high value on the black market, we asked Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer at Thatcham Research - the UK's independent automotive research centre and motor security experts - to give tell us his top 10 tips for owners to keep their motors secure.
Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer at Thatcham Research, provides his 10 top tips to keep your motor secure

Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer at Thatcham Research, provides his 10 top tips to keep your motor secure

'Although any increase in vehicle thefts will be a concern to car owners, we are still a long way off from the endemic car crime seen in the early 1990s – where upwards of 600,000 cars were stolen in a single year, with thieves mostly using equipment found in a toolbox,' he explained.

'Over the years car makers have added layers of security to successfully deter opportunistic thieves. Vehicle theft is now largely the preserve of sophisticated criminal gangs, using digital kit to navigate mechanical security.

'Keyless entry systems have been problematic and can be exploited by thieves using a technique known as the 'Relay Attack'. Many car makers do now offer countermeasures with new vehicles, such as motion-sensor enabled fobs. However, all new cars with keyless systems should have a solution to this long-standing vulnerability in place.

'Drivers should go into the dealership with their eyes open to security and have a checklist of questions prepared around keyless entry, connected systems, apps, alarms and immobilisers.'

1. Always check the handles are locked after using a keyfob
When left unattended, make sure the vehicle is locked and windows are up. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash or mirrors to fold. Physically check the vehicle is locked yourself - as criminals can sometimes block the locking signal from your key fob. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) within can be at greater risk to manipulation when the vehicle has been left unlocked. Ensure (where fitted) that double locking to doors and alarm are active (refer to owner manual).

2. Keep valuables out of sight from prying eyes
'Out of sight, out of mind'. Make sure valuables are removed from your vehicle or kept out of sight. This can include valuables such as bags, laptops, electronic equipment, documents and tools.

3. Do you have an alarm and immobiliser?
Ensure your vehicle has Thatcham Research-certified alarm and immobiliser systems fitted. Consider upgrading your vehicle security to include a certified aftermarket alarm with inclination sensor, immobiliser and tracking system. Some insurance policies require the fitment of a tracking device, so it's important any associated subscriptions to monitoring services are maintained.

4. Invest in old-hat security systems as a next-level deterrent
Consider using a physical immobiliser such as steering wheel lock or gear clamp. These not only offer another layer of security but also act as a significant visual deterrent to thieves.

5. Think about where your car is kept when not in use, especially at night
When unattended, keep the vehicle somewhere secure and well-lit, preferably monitored by CCTV. Park the car in a way that makes it awkward for a thief to remove; parked facing close to your house (so that the thief will have to reverse out), or possibly blocking in by other cars. Store your vehicle in a garage overnight, if you have one. Lockable driveway gates also provide another physical and visual deterrent to thieves.

6. Make sure your keys are safe
In cold weather, do not leave the vehicle unattended and running with keys in the ignition. Store keys, including spares, out of sight from windows and doors. And consider where the spare key is kept and who may have access to it. If you have purchased your vehicle second hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre to get the missing key(s) deleted and to add a spare as soon as possible.

Be aware of the technology in your vehicle and your key fob's functions. If it uses Passive Keyless Entry and Start (PKES) it may be susceptible to a theft method called the 'Relay Attack' and you should therefore consider storing key fobs as far away from the outer perimeter of the house as is possible. And check your owner's manual to see if there is a PKES locking function that can be activated at night or when you're not using the vehicle for long periods.

For additional protection, consider using a signal blocking faraday pouch for main and spare keys – test that it works by inserting your fob into the pouch, walking up to your car and seeing if the door will open. Make sure the pouch you buy is designed to store keys, not credit cards.

Many carmakers have now introduced motion-sensor enabled fobs, which go to sleep when idle and can't fall victim to the Relay Attack. Speak to your dealership to see whether your vehicle has security enhancements available.

Always be aware that criminals may be able to clone the vehicle key at any time. Consider this when leaving with untrusted parties or services that you have not used before. Check that the company is a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman (Themotorombudsman.org) or The British Parking Association's Park Mark scheme (parkmark.co.uk).

7. Make relevant checks so your motor doesn't end up on bricks
Ensure your vehicle has locking wheel bolts, which secure the vehicle's wheels.

8. Get yourself a dashcam that starts recording when there's a security breach
Consider in-vehicle camera options that upload recorded data to the cloud or an app. If it only records to a memory stick, that will vanish with the car if stolen. Those that offer 'parking mode' can detect and record movement when parked. This offers supporting evidence for both your insurer and the Police.

9. Many modern cars now have security alert systems - but you need to link them to your smartphone
Does your vehicle offer connectivity? Does it offer theft alert notifications via a phone app? If so, ensure all theft alert notifications are active.

10. Wipe stored info from a car you're selling
Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide access to the previous owner. If permissions remain active, ensure that all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are removed. And if you're selling a car, make sure you wipe all stored information before handing over the keys to a new owner. Connected cars can store all kinds of personal information and still be connected to your devices - these can all be used to identify when your car or property might be vulnerable. Refer to the owner's manual to remove all stored data.

04/06/2024

Car insurance questions you REALLY don't want to get wrong: These could invalidate your cover

Drivers are often tempted to whiz through the process of buying car insurance
But cutting corners can lead to seeingly innocent mistakes severely backfiring

Buying car insurance online is something many of us do all too quickly - but rushing the process can mean your policy becomes worthless if you ever make a claim.

The process of insuring a car is a double-edged sword for motorists.

On the one hand, many of us just want the process to be over as quickly as possible and rush through answering all the questions. Price comparison websites know this, and as a result keep their questions to a minimum.

But on the other hand, not answering some questions fully can have serious consequences - and even invalidate your car insurance completely.
Driven to distraction: Not answering insurer questions properly can backfire, experts warn
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Driven to distraction: Not answering insurer questions properly can backfire, experts warn

Some car insurer questions can be tricky to answer on the spot, such as how many miles a car does, how many years of no-claims discount you have or how many years have gone by since you passed your test.

With average car insurance prices at an all-time high of £635 a year, it makes sense not to fall foul of some of the seemingly innocent insurance questions that can trip up unwary drivers.

These are some of the key things to make sure you get right - or regret it later.

Car insurers will ask how many miles you cover a year when you take out cover. This is normally done in 1,000-mile chunks, so it can be tempting to make a figure up that feels right, rather than work out how many miles a car has done in a year.

But this is best avoided, according to Louise Thomas, car insurance expert at Confused.com.

Thomas says: 'While it's important to take your time and answer each question truthfully, there are some areas which may leave drivers a little stumped when searching for a new policy.

'If you over-estimate mileage, you might give your insurer the impression that you're on the road more than you actually are. And underestimating can make you seem inexperienced.

'So don't try to guess, always be accurate. If you're not sure, you can find your annual mileage on your latest MOT certificate.'
Read More
Pay monthly insurance most popular as customers try to dodge big bills - even though they pay more overall
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Get the class of car insurance right

The 'class' of car insurance covers what you actually use a car for.

The main categories are 'social, domestic and pleasure', 'social, domestic, pleasure and commuting', 'business use' and 'carriage of goods for hire and reward'.

Picking the wrong category can have serious side-effects if a claim is ever made on the policy.

One This is Money reader was told they were not covered for an accident as their policy did not cover 'commuting' - which they fiercely denied they were even doing.

Julie Daniels, motor insurance expert at Compare the Market, says: 'If you commute to work, ensure your cover is for domestic, social, pleasure and commuting use.'
No-claims bonuses

Most price comparison websites offer a drop-down list allowing motorists to select how many years have gone by since they made an insurance claim.

Doing so can mean drivers get a lower premium as a result, though not all insurers offer this.

But many drivers do not know or cannot remember how many years they have spent not claiming.

Louise Thomas of Confused.com says: 'If you haven't made a claim, you'll build up your no-claims. The more you build up, generally the bigger discount you'll receive at renewal.

'But you'll have to provide evidence of this to your insurer each year, so don't be tempted to lie.'
On the up: The cost of car insurance is rising, so don't risk paying for a policy that isn't valid

On the up: The cost of car insurance is rising, so don't risk paying for a policy that isn't valid
Get the little details right

It may seem obvious, but experts say many drivers overlook the importance of getting their personal information right when buying insurance.

This is all too easy to do, either by taking out insurance in a rush or by simple human error.

Many also forget to update their details should their personal circumstances change, for example through moving house, getting married or changing job.

Alicia Hempsted, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: 'When you apply for insurance, you should be as honest and accurate as possible.

'The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 says that customers need to take reasonable care to not make a misrepresentation when applying for insurance, which replaced a duty to disclose material facts. That means that the clarity of the questions being asked is considered if it's later found that you provided incorrect information in your application.'

Hempsted says crucial information to get right and update includes:

Your address
Name and marital status
Occupation
Registered keeper of the vehicle and main driver
Involvement in any car accidents (even without claiming) and penalty points added to your licence
Car purpose and usage
Modifications to your vehicle

'In most cases, answering questions incorrectly where you haven't purposely attempted to falsify information will result in claims being rejected,' she warned. 'Policyholders may have the opportunity to contest the decision if they believe the application process wasn't clear.'

Another commonly-overlooked detail is the current market valuation of your car. This can change dramatically over time, and can go up as well as down.

Do your research before buying insurance to make sure you are not left out of pocket if you do need to make a claim.

Julie Daniels of Compare the Market says: 'When you compare car insurance with us and enter your registration number, where possible, we'll provide the specification details for your car and give you a valuation figure for it based on its current market value. You can change these details if they don't look right.'
Don't lie

Some drivers may be tempted to deliberately enter wrong information to try to get cheaper insurance premiums.

But doing so can backfire and lead to policies being cancelled, or even to accusations of insurance fraud.

Louise Thomas of Confused.com says: 'Even though it might be tempting to tweak a few minor details when looking for car insurance, it doesn't always guarantee a cheaper price.

'Plus, any inaccuracies could invalidate your policy - which could have big consequences in the event of needing to make a claim.

'Not only do you risk a financial blow, but it could jeopardise your chances of getting car insurance in future. The golden saying is key - honesty's the best policy.'

Alicia Hempsted of MoneySuperMarket says: 'In more serious situations and cases where there is evidence that you have purposely given false information, your policy could be invalidated entirely, or your case may be treated as insurance fraud.

'Failing to update your insurance provider when your circumstances change will be treated in the same way as providing false information during the application process

04/06/2024

With average car insurance prices at an all-time high of £635 a year, it makes sense not to fall foul of these insurance questions that can trip up unwary drivers.

03/05/2024

Car makes and models

Common car makes
In 2022, the top 3 makes for new car registrations in the UK were:

Volkswagen (8.2%)
Ford (7.8%)
Toyota (7.0%)
For total licensed car stock at the end of December 2022, the top 3 makes in the UK were different to new registrations, namely:

Ford (12.0%)
Vauxhall (8.9%)
Volkswagen (8.8%)

01/05/2024

05/04/2024

Motorists are being warned to check the small print in their insurance policies, after research found that a shrinking proportion of “comprehensive” deals fully cover replacement windscreens.

Defaqto, which maintains a financial product database, found in late February that just over half (53%) of comprehensive insurance products would pay out the full costs to replace a windscreen, subject to any policy excess (the amount the customer pays towards the cost of the claim) which applies.

This proportion has reduced from just over seven in 10 (71%) products five years ago which would pay out for windscreens in full, subject to the policy excess.

Mike Powell, a motor insurance expert at Defaqto, said: “As windscreens become increasingly hi-tech, the cost of replacing them can vary from £250 to £2,500. At the same time, we’ve started to see a number of comprehensive motor insurance policies remove windscreen cover from their offering.

“Our concern is that although these products clearly explain that cover is not available, some consumers may simply look at the overall price and not realise that windscreen cover is excluded.”

21/03/2024

★★★★★ "The service I Received was excellent. I phoned the "dedicated supplier" and requested to make a claim, with 1 working day I had a call back saying my claim was approved for a windscreen replacement I simply paid my excess over the phone and booked an appointment. when I arrived I si...

11/03/2024

https://g.co/kgs/GccYi1J

★★★★★ "Professional guys completing the jobs nicely"

07/03/2024

DVLA reveals how many classic cars over 40 years old are still on the road today

How many classic cars have survived the test of time? Official figures now reveal that answer.

Almost 340,000 vehicles over 40 years of age are still owned by registered keepers, according to data held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - but not all of them are technically still on the road.

Of these, around one in eight are declared off the road by keepers.

Responding to a Freedom of Information request from the leasing comparison site, DLVA records (correct to 15 December 2023) show that 338,697 classic cars are still retained by motorists in Britain.

Of these, 12 per cent are not actually being driven on the road by their owners.

To the date the FOI was lodged, some 41,217 classic cars have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) declared by the owner, meaning they're off the road.

Many of these are likely projects, rebuilds or treasured vehicles that aren't being used by their keeper in a bid to retain - and inflate - their future value.

How many classic cars have survived the test of time? Official figures now reveal that answer.

Almost 340,000 vehicles over 40 years of age are still owned by registered keepers, according to data held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - but not all of them are technically still on the road.

Of these, around one in eight are declared off the road by keepers.

T'classic' car, the term is best used to describe motors that exceed 40 years and therefore qualify for a number of 'historic vehicle' benefits.

Among these is exemption from annual MOTs and Vehicle and Excise Duty.

As for MOTs, the exemption is due to a general understanding that classic cars are retained by enthusiasts who either carry out maintenance on their vehicles or pay specialists to do so.

Given the affection they have for their cars and the upkeep required to ensure they remain drivable, the DVLA believes this is enough to warrant not putting them through the annual road worthiness check-up.

Cars over 40 years are - importantly - also exempt from emission zone charges, such as the capital's ULEZ, Birmingham's Clean Air Zone and the Scottish Low Emission Zone, which is already in place in Glasgow and due to begin charging drivers of older vehicles within weeks in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.

Cars that are 40 years or older qualify for a number of exemptions, including no VED, MOTs or charges for clean air zones, like London's ULEZ.

05/03/2024

Electric cars produce twice as much CO₂ as trains, says rail group data

Rail Delivery Group said it hopes analysis will allow businesses to make greener travel choices

Travelling by train on Britain’s busiest business routes generates less than half the carbon emissions of a battery electric car, according to detailed analysis from the rail industry.

Certain journeys on the greenest, fullest electric trains produce as little as one-fifteenth of the CO2 per person compared with the footprint of a sole occupancy petrol or diesel car, the data shows.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) claimed the data is the industry’s most accurate and granular yet, incorporating train types and occupancy, and said it hopes it will allow businesses to make the greenest travel choices.

However, campaigners pointed out that fares on some of the comparatively greenest rail routes were not cheaper than cars, and the cost of rail travel needed to be addressed.

The RDG said that on average across the top 100 business travel routes, using a diesel or petrol car produced nine times more carbon than going by train. The figure was four times more polluting than a train if driving a plug-in hybrid electric car, or almost two-and-a-half times more if using a battery electric car.

The comparison uses the government’s official figures for average executive car emissions by distance. Battery EV emissions largely depend on the source of electricity, and should decrease with the uptake of renewable energy.

Going from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross would emit 116kg of CO2 in a diesel car, 31.8kg in a battery car and 12.7kg per person by train, according to the RDG data.

However, single fares on the main operator on that route, LNER, are now £183 without pre-booking, although much cheaper advance fares are available.

Average fuel costs would be roughly £50 for a small petrol car to travel the 400 miles, and significantly less again for an electric car, even after recent energy price rises.

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of the RDG, said the data would allow businesses to have the most accurate measure of emissions for the 100 most popular business rail journeys.

She said: “We all have a responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint, and the data that we have published reveals that rail is the green choice for travel between our towns and cities.”

Business travel on rail has slipped substantially since the pandemic, accelerating moves towards online meetings and video conferencing.

Rail fares are due to rise by 4.9% across England from Sunday. Michael Solomon Williams, from charity Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Travelling by train is always greener than driving, and it’s getting even greener as more rail routes are electrified.

“It is often quicker too, but what we now need to do is to ensure it is also cheaper. Next week’s rail fare rise will do little to address the rising cost of rail travel.

He added: “Businesses can also do their bit to reduce transport emissions by having a ‘rail first’ travel policy and encouraging employees to take the train when travelling with work.”