The 10 simple mistakes motorists make
British drivers are making mistakes on the road that can leave them paying huge sums of money.
This is according to research by uSwitch, which uncovered that two-thirds of drivers are putting their payout at risk by a lack of awareness about actions that could make their policy worthless.
It listed the top 10 misdemeanours made by motorists, which include simple car maintenance, locking the doors and avoiding footwear that is regarded as dangerous.
Simple slip-ups – or flip-flops – could mean that British drivers lose out on £ 114 million each year in unpaid claims based on an average claim amount of £2,671, according to the Association of British Insurers’ research.
But what are the most common examples of these blunders?
The switching site said wearing flip-flops or high heels is the most common error motorists make, as an insurer could refuse to pay out if you have a crash.
A quarter of drivers sampled by uSwitch said they’ve worn this type of footwear when driving.
The survey of 1,593 UK drivers also found that 24 per cent have left their car unlocked, while 21 per cent have not had their car serviced to interval requirements – yet more reason why an insurance firm could reject an accident or theft claim.
Below is the list of the top 10 most common simple mistakes that drivers make that can invalidate their insurance:
- Wearing high heels or flip-flops while driving – 25% of drivers
- Leaving car unlocked – 24%
- Putting off car maintenance when required – 21%
- Forgetting to renew their car MOT on time – 16%
- Letting pet(s) roam free in the car – 15%
- Lent car to a friend or family member – 14%
- Not updated details after changing jobs – 9%
- Attached fluffy dice, or another object, to rear-view mirror – 9%
- Forgotten to renew tax – 9%
- Underestimated mileage travelled every day – 8%
Do you need assistance with your motor insurance? Please contact us at 01274 515747 or email us at mail@lwood.co.uk