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Confused.com’s Common Motor Myths Buster!
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2008 12:22
Elvis lives! Crusts will make your hair curly! The moon is made of cheese! People are usually happy to believe what they want to believe. However, it’s better to be sure when it comes to road use. Misinformation could lead to an unwitting traffic offence, the invalidation of your car insurance, or worse. So Confused.com have decided to expose some widely-held car insurance misconceptions:
CAR SAFETY MYTHS
MYTH: You don’t have to wear a seatbelt in the back seat.
FACT: Nonsense! Any passengers in the back of the car are a danger both to themselves and others in the car if they don’t buckle-up! Which is why it is now the law to do so.
MYTH: A car will handle better if it has power steering.
FACT: Rubbish! There is no correlation between the ease of steering and the grip that your tyres have on the road. Just because you don’t have to spin the wheel round like a captain of a ship, doesn’t mean that your car will take fast corners any better.
MYTH: You don’t have to wear a seatbelt in order to reverse.
FACT: Actually, this one’s true! An exemption provides that “a person driving a vehicle while performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing” does not have to wear a safety belt. However, the driver must put the belt back on before driving off.
MYTH: In order for potential rescuers to get to you, you should leave doors unlocked.
FACT: Bobbins! If you don’t lock doors, they are more likely to open in the event of a collision. And you’re safer in the car than being thrown out of it. In fact, many cars now come with an auto-locking feature as standard.
CAR INSURANCE MYTHS
MYTH: Your premiums will plummet when you turn 25.
FACT: Not really! They will drop the same amount as they would do for any other claim-free year (assuming the year has indeed been claim-free!). When you turn 25, you will not suddenly find that your premiums are hundreds of pounds lighter. However, excess will usually be lowered when a driver turns 25, so they end up better off in the event of a claim.
MYTH: You do not have to inform your car insurance company of speeding offences unless you accumulate more than six points.
FACT: Tosh! You should inform your insurer of any motoring offences at the time of renewal (if not time of conviction), speeding or otherwise. Although some insurers may not raise your premiums given the odd three points, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you haven’t informed your insurer of an offence, then they may invalidate your car insurance if this comes to light in the event of a claim. As such, running the risk simply isn’t worth it.
MYTH: The colour of my car will affect my premium.
FACT: Rot! Why would it?
MYTH: Your car insurance automatically covers you for both business and personal use.
FACT: Piffle! If you are going to use your car to make business trips, you must stipulate this when filling out your car insurance application. Likewise if you are going to use the car for commuting - including driving the car to a station to continue your commute, for example. If your insurer finds you were using your car for business when you’re only insured for personal use, then they will not pay out on your claim.
MYTH: You cannot be convicted for eating an apple behind the wheel.
FACT: Balderdash! If you are considered to be driving carelessly, you can be slapped with a CD10 for not paying due care and attention. This isn’t restricted to eating apples, either. It can apply to any type of snacking, changing your CD – or indeed any other common-sense distractions. Keep your eyes on the road!