Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

UK Insurance tips

Talking about my driving experience in Malaysia to some friends. I was relating how much fun it is to drive in Malaysia even though I could only afford a Proton, the national car as imported cars had a tax of up to 300%. At that time petrol cost me less than RM1per litre (approx 20p), though I heard that it has now increased to around RM2 (approx 40p). Compare that with £1.20/ litre in the UK now.



Furthermore, the car insurance was pretty cheap  and if you didn't have any accidents, it becomes cheaper every year. Here in the UK, I have no idea why, but the insurance we pay seems to increase very year. It has gone up from around £300 to £700 now. We have had no accidents in the past 4 years and there is no logic but everyone I talked to told me the same thing and the amazing thing is that people grumble but just pay up in the end as they have no choice..



I recall that the insurance companies once increased the car insurance of everyone here in the UK across the board due to the fact that there had been floods the past year and a large number of cars had been damaged. In other words, they just transfer the costs to the customers.



I used to think that privatisation and lack of governmental control would lead to better customer services and a customer friendly industry but apparently this has not happened and probably the Government needs to come in with some customer friendly legislation and regulations.



Anyway, there are still some great insurance deals out there on the net. You just have to look for it. However, this is easier said than done. Click here for the cheapest auto insurance tips . These might help you lower your premium a bit. For example, it might be a good idea to look at the cars targeted the most by the thieves.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Medical professionals are the most accident prone in the UK

A recent press release by the online price comparison site, Confused.com, totally changed my perception of the motorist profiles I have had all my life. Apparently those in the medical profession appeared most frequently in the top ten (50%) car insurance claims in the past 12 months (18th October 2009 and 18th October 2010).



This is surprising because they are supposed to be most aware of all professions when it comes to accidents and injuries.



The results of the research showed that GPs are the most hazardous drivers in the UK with 33% of claims made by them. They were followed by psychologists (30%), district nurses (30%), hospital doctors (29%) and dentists (27%)making a claim.



In what seems to be bizarre findings, 20-20 vision doesn't help as well with opticians making up 27% of those claiming for an incident in the last 12 months. They were closely followed by law abiding policeman who made up 26% of the claimants.



It was not surprising that high earners such as solicitors and accountants are also the most likely to make a claim, contributing to 65% of the top 20.



The safest drivers were actually the low income earners with car valeters being the least likely to make a claim with only 8% putting in the paperwork in the last 12 months.



Here is the full list of the Top 20 occupations that have claimed in an accident:



1. Doctor GP

2. Psychologist

3. District Nurse

4. Hospital Doctor

5. Solicitor

6. Chartered Accountant

7. Head Teacher

8. Dentist

9. Personnel Officer

10. Chartered Surveyor

11. Quantity Surveyor

12. Optician

13. Systems Manager

14. Police Officer

15. Financial Advisor

16. Computer Services Manager

17. Accountant Chartered

18. Pharmacist

19. Probation Officer

20. Local Government Officer



Top 20 occupations least likely to be involved in an accident



1. Car Valeter

2. Labourer

3. Van / Lorry / Fork Lift Truck Driver

4. Farm Worker

5. Scaffolder / Roofer

6. Construction Worker

7. Decorator / Painter / Plasterer

8. Road Worker

9. Coach Driver

10. Security Guard

11. Builder

12. Groundsmen

13. Mechanic

14. Carpet Fitter

15. Warehouse Employee

16. Bar Staff

17. Cleaner

18. Bakery Worker

19. Double Glazing Fitter

20. Factory Worker