Insurers are poised for more crazy claims from drivers who go ‘round the bend’ in winter.
Insurers are poised for more crazy claims from drivers who go ‘round the bend’ in winter.
Every year claims at Norwich Union, the UK’s largest insurer, increase by over 10 per cent during the cold spell.
But many of the claims - which are often caused by skidding on ice and poor visibility - verge on the ridiculous.
One woman said: "To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian." Another said: "The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him."
Other claims anecdotes include: "As I approached the intersection, a sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever been before" and "an invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished."
Richard Alger, market development manager for Norwich Union Insurance, said: "While some claims make funny reading, taking extra care in winter is a serious issue. Most drivers are aware of the dangers that darkness, fog and ice can bring, but often leave too little time for journeys, which then tempts them to take chances.
"Late nights and a lack of sleep can also increase the risks involved when driving. People need to ensure they are alert at all times, as well as thinking about the extra precautions they need to take."
To help motorists, Norwich Union has produced 10 top tips for winter safety:
- Reduce speed and increase braking distances to avoid skids
- In fog don't rely on another driver's judgement by following tail lights
- Switch headlights on in fog, mist and rain and leave extra time for journeys
- If you’re feeling tired or having trouble concentrating, pull over and take a rest or delay your journey
- Keep windscreens clean and washer bottle topped with screen anti-freeze to aid visibility in bad weather and check wiper blades are completely free of snow and ice
- Avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel in snow or ice - don't brake or accelerate suddenly
- Give motorcyclists and cyclists a wide berth – they may also have difficulties in adverse weather
- Use a high gear if driving on a slippery surface
- Change tyres with less than 2mm of tread to ensure maximum safety (legal limit is 1.6mm across three-quarters of the tyre)
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. Include a tow rope, spare fuel in an approved can, shovel, screen scraper and de- icer, spare clothes, boots, blanket and first aid kit
Press contact:
Matthew Buchanan/Anja Kueppers at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Jenny Chapman/Liz Kennett at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 64
Notes to Editors:
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. In general insurance it is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest competitor, and has a 19 per cent share of the market.
- It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies, and Norwich Union Direct.
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on this internet site
- A selection of images is available from the CGNU Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN line is available. Call the press office 08703 66 68 68
- Norwich Union Insurance Limited Registered in England Number 99122 Registered Office 8 Surrey Street Norwich NR1 3NG
- Member of the CGNU Group of companies and of the General Insurance Standards Council
For all life & pensions media enquiries 08703 66 68 73
For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68