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.
The RAC are trying to get the message across that as well as buying travel insurance prior to a holiday so car insurance should not be overlooked.
As more Britons travel into Europe and beyond in their cars and on their bikes, so the need for adequate insurance has never been greater. If an accident does occur then car insurance, from the RAC or another provider, will ensure there are people on the end of the phone who are trained to deal with situations. Where there are potential language difficulties then these experts are all the more valuable.
There can also be significant costs involved with accidents abroad, so once again adequate car insurance, like the RAC recommends, is a must. The RAC are best known for their recovery services, and the fact that their European Recovery operation saw a ten percent increase in demand last year underlines the need for sufficient protection when abroad.
The RAC is advising UK drivers to make sure they check their tyres regularly to avoid problems.
Having asked drivers about tyres it seems that a number of them are unaware of legal requirements regarding tread and also the general condition of the tyre. The RAC survey found 45 percent of drivers did not know that the minimum tread depth of a tyre is 1.6 mm. For female drivers this went up to 60 percent being unaware of the figure.
Tyres can be forgotten about quite easily but they are very important for road safety, general performance and also fuel economy. The RAC would like drivers to check their tyre condition and pressures at least weekly to avoid having a problem on the road.
