Freak incidents involving animals top the list when it comes to bizarre motor claims, according to Norwich Union.
Norwich Union reveals the strangest causes of motor insurance claims
Freak incidents involving animals top the list when it comes to bizarre motor claims, according to Norwich Union. From frozen squirrels crashing through windscreens to cows jumping on quad bikes and zebras colliding into cars in safari parks, our furry friends can lead to a drive on the wild side.
Food is the second biggest cause of bizarre claims, and in the past year Norwich Union has recorded incidents involving potatoes lodged behind brake pedals and frozen kebabs flying out of cars and damaging nearby vehicles.
This highlights the diversity of claims covered by motor insurance and Norwich Union has compiled a list of the 10 weirdest claims it received in 2005:
- “A frozen squirrel fell out of a tree and crashed through the windscreen on to the passenger seat”
- “The car was parked when a reindeer fell on the bonnet of my car”
- “As I was driving round a bend, when one of the doors opened and a frozen kebab flew out, hitting and damaging a passing car”
- “A herd of cows licked my car and caused damage to the paintwork”
- “A zebra collided with my car when I was at a safari park”
- “While I was waiting at traffic lights, a wasp went down my trouser leg which made me hit the accelerator and prang the car in front”
- “I couldn’t brake because a potato was logged behind the brake”
- “My parked car was hit by a bull which had escaped from an agricultural show”
- “A cow jumped on my quad bike”
- “As I came over a hill, I hit a cow in the middle of the road, which then hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen with its rear end.” (The cow survived).
Sally Leeman of Norwich Union said: "Who would have thought that frozen squirrels and potatoes could be such hazards! We see a lot of strange claims but we were surprised at how many involved animals and food, of all things. We can hardly tell drivers to beware of flying kebabs and frozen squirrels when they’re on the roads, but this shows how important it is to be aware of what’s going on around you at all times."
-ends-
For further information, please contact:
Emilie Lien at Lexis on 020 7908 6573/07776 257170
Sally Leeman at Norwich Union on 01603 684225/07800 699670
Notes to editors:
About Norwich Union Insurance
- Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 14%
- With a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses, Norwich Union insures:
- One in five households
- One in seven motor vehicles
- Around 800,000 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.
- Aviva, Norwich Union’s parent company, announced its acquisition of the RAC in 2005. The acquisition brings together the RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise of Norwich Union Insurance – a market leader in motor insurance.
- Norwich Union's news releases and a selection of images are available on the Aviva internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media
Norwich Union Insurance Limited Registered in England No 99122. Registered office: 8 Surrey Street, Norwich, NR1 3NG. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Member of the Aviva group.