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.
Government proposals for new 20 mph zones are receiving mixed responses from officials says car insurance provider Swiftcover.
There has been talk of a new generation of speed cameras supporting these new zones, though a safety campaigner from Exeter was unsure as to whether the cameras were the best way forward. A 20 mph zone would be in area where there are going to be children it would be thought, so the placing of speed cameras would actually take drivers eyes away from the road and onto their speedometers, thus negating the point of the zone in the first place.
An alternative view was put forward by a county councillor who felt speed cameras would be better than traffic calming measures, feeling they would be more effective.
The quarterly AA Insurance review of car insurance premiums has found that costs are on the rise again, with the average fully comprehensive policy now costing GBP700.
There has been an increase of over GBP20 compared with the previous quarter said AA Insurance and it is young driver car insurance that has seen the biggest increase, up by more than twice the overall average – GBP45. Along with all the other price rises consumers are seeing this latest one just reiterates how the cost of living is spiralling ever higher.
The best advice upon seeing these results is to shop around said AA Insurance. Look at different car insurance providers, having an increased voluntary excess or removing some of the features that are not needed. Following some of these steps may help keep that motor insurance bill down and save money.