A word to the wise comes from Direct Line with a reminder that any modifications made to a vehicle change the risk profile and therefore the insurance premium.
Lots of car owners are making changes to their vehicles now, personalising them with new wheels, sound systems and much more. Drivers are advised by Direct Line to get in touch with their car insurance provider to let them know about these modifications and enable them to recalculate the premium. If this is not done then the vehicle insurance could well be invalid should a claim be made.
A Direct Line spokesperson did say that modifications that improve the safety or security of a vehicle would not usually see premiums increased, though most mods are usually about enhancing the looks or performance of a vehicle and so would incur costs.
Research from AA Insurance has found that around 22 percent of people in the UK are intending to take a holiday in Britain this year in order to cut down their costs of travel.
It appears that the rising costs in all aspects of travel are making people think about alternatives to try and reduce their expenditure. This has also driven more people to look at smaller vehicles to save money that way. There can also be insurance benefits in this, as well as better fuel economy said an AA Insurance representative.
As with all things the key is to find something that is suitable, so making sure there is enough room for people, that the engine can deliver the performance needed for regular long journeys and so on. AA Insurance see claims for all sorts of issues relating to unsuitable vehicles, so ensuring it is fit for the job it will have to do is paramount.
Technology is not always right is the message being sent out by car insurance companies such as Direct Line, suggesting drivers should not take the advice of the system blindly.
There have been many occasions when drivers have followed the route given to them by a sat-nav system only to find themselves heading down narrow farm tracks and through deep water. They carry on regardless though feeling that the satellite navigation system cannot be wrong. A big mistake say Direct Line since they have seen an increase in claims because of situations just like these.
If the situation continues then car insurance premiums are sure to rise, a scenario no one wants to see. Direct Line and other car insurance providers have to increase the premiums because of the extra costs they face so it is down to the drivers to make sure they use sat nav as an aid, trusting their own driving knowledge first and foremost.
