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Whiplash claims cause Car Insurance premiums to rise

Danielle Mitchell — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:24:00 +0000

A report released by MP’s reveals that insurance claims made for whiplash is one of the reasons that car insurance premiums are rising each year.

Whiplash ensues when the ligaments in the neck are sprained which is usually triggered by a sudden movement of the head. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and lack of ability to move the neck.

A collision in a car, particularly from behind can lead to whiplash .

The Common Transport Committee reached out to ministers asking them to change the British law to make it tougher for people to make unchallenged claims for whiplash injuries; so it could be good news for car insurance costs as they are once again under scrutiny by the UK Government.

Back at the beginning of 2011, the Transport Committee started investigating the reason for the continually rising costs of insurance; in fact the cost of car insurance has risen 50% in the past two years. T

Shadow traffic enforcement should focus on reducing distracted driving

Danielle Mitchell — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:54:48 +0000

Distracted driving has become a major road hazard not only in South Africa, but across the globe!

In New York there has recently been an enforcement initiative focused on the dangers of driving while talking on and texting from cellular phones. We would like to briefly refer to this initiative:

In the week April 23 through April 29, extra New York State troopers cracked down on cell phone usage on roadways all across New York, not only on the Thruway, but on all roadways across the state.

The Best Way to Get Cheap Car Insurance Quotes

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:45:54 +0000

There are places in the world where car insurance costs like gold and most would not have the money to get it. In the UK, car insurance may cost a lot, it is a good thing that there are some insurers that sell them cheap. But of course, it would really depend on the type of company you got the insurance from as well as how they categorize you as a driver. Now, if you are trying to get cheap car insurance quotes, then here are some tips for you:

The first thing that you may want to do is clean up your driving record. Since car insurance providers will conduct a background check on your records, you have to make sure to clean up your record as much as possible. How do you do that? Read more…

Transport Minister cautions drivers to also focus on vehicle fitness!

Danielle Mitchell — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:29:56 +0000

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has urged road users to exercise caution on the countrys roads over the Easter holidays.

We will focus on driver and vehicle fitness, wearing of seatbelts at all times, drinking and driving, fatigue, and pedestrian safety, he said in a statement on Friday.

We have also issued an instruction that every driver stopped must be tested for alcohol.

Heavy traffic was expected from this weekend, with the closure of inland schools on Friday.

Ndebele urged motorists to drive with headlights on at all times and to obey the rules of the road.

As part of Easter law enforcement operations, more than 34 passenger buses were removed from the roads over the past two days after being declared unroadworthy.

More than 750 000 vehicles and drivers were checked in the past three weeks, and thousands of fines were issued for various traffic offences, Ndebele said.

- SAPA

For Road Safety Tips in Afrikaans also read: Padveiligheid op die pad na die KKNK en vir die Paasnaweek

Roadside Assistance from AIS

Danielle Mitchell — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:27:07 +0000

The open road can be a dangerous place for the ill-prepared driver. Unfortunately, many drivers who make the mistake of not preparing for a roadside emergency become stranded in a difficult situation. Luckily, a good roadside assistance plan can keep you covered in such emergencies.

Essentially, roadside assistance is a service that aids drivers who break down or experience mechanical failure on the roadway. As such, they cover a wide variety of problems. Common emergency services include:

Towing – If your car breaks down and needs repair, roadside assistance can dispatch a tow truck to your location to take you to the nearest service station. R

Business Protection with Business Insurance Today

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:59:26 +0000

Your business is a valuable commodity to you. It helps you to make a living and provide customers with different services. One of the problems that often beset businesses of any sort is the lack of protection or being under protected for the problems that being in the business world can bring. Some do not have any protection at all while others do not have enough protection when disaster strikes of any sort. This is when business owners get into a lot of trouble legally for different reasons. This can lead to the loss of the business.

This is why it is more important than ever to give your business the protection it needs and deserves. Read more…

1st Central and KeyCare announce partnership

Danielle Mitchell — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:49:06 +0000

Motor insurer 1st Central has announced a partnership with Keycare to help protect UK motorists against the rising cost of replacing keys.

Replacing keys can cost a small fortune, with electronically programmed keys sometimes costing £1,000 or even more to replace.

Now motorists taking out or renewing coverage with 1st Central will automatically get coverage against missing or stolen keys.

1st Central has estimated that around 300,000 customers will benefit from add-on Keycare cover.

Where to Get Help for Car Related Accidents

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:45:03 +0000

You’ve been in a car accident. Where do you go for help? Is there a way to do it easier and cheaper?

These ideas will help:

Image via Wikipedia

Get Started on the Paperwork Early

Before the police arrive, take down the other person’s name, address and phone number. Giv Read more…

Dire Consequences of Motorcycle Accidents

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:56:34 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

It is rare to drive on a Houston freeway without dense traffic. More than two million people live there, so driving is always a hazard. If you ride a motorcycle, the heavy traffic puts you at a greater risk than the auto operators around you. Read more…

Insurance – the option of paying Monthly

Danielle Mitchell — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:50:51 +0000

The steady rise in cost of Insurance premiums have been in the media headlines a lot just recently, fundamentally relating to home insurance and car insurance leaving us looking for the best available insurance solutions. With this in mind, many people have found it progressively more difficult to pay for their insurance in full, so many have resorted to paying per month.

Although many insurers will allow you to Pay As You Go (PAYG), some will not accept this method of payment and will only allow you to pay for your premium in a one off annual payment.

Insurance – the options

There are a number of monthly insurance payment options available when looking for the right insurance policy which can be ideal for those who want to keep a close eye on their finances.

Direct Debit is the most popular. A Dir

Comparing the Insurance for Home Content

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:03:35 +0000

Everyone should compare the insurance for home content for getting a good idea about the best insurance deals available in the market. By comparing the home content insurance policies you can easily calculate the deals about it and how much can you actually spend over them. This makes it easier basically for anyone who is looking to calculate rationally what they can really afford when buying a decent insurance package. While you are comparing all the deals in the market, you need to specifically find those deals which suit you and your pocket the best. There are a number of content insurance providing organizations, which are currently providing their services today. Read more…

Does a mechanic testing trucks need a PrDP?

Danielle Mitchell — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:17:51 +0000

Question:

As a mechanic do I need a professional driving permit to test a truck after repairs? I have a code EC Driving Licence.

I am not driving for gain ,but works for a company that uses heavy duty trucks for brick deliveries.

Answer:

Yes there are only a few exceptions to the rule. All drivers of goods trucks need it.

In the old days before the amendment many guys that were stopped said they were testing the vehicle and it created a huge loophole.

I think that was one of the main reasons the Department changed the rules.

General Liability Insurance – Business Safety Insured

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:42:49 +0000

Are you excited and all set to begin your new business? Have you purchased the general liability insurance? If not, then, you have not done your homework thoroughly. Life is a journey that one can never predict and each moment unfolds a new turn and new color. Ups and downs are a part of life. But being prepared for these unfriendly turns helps us face them more courageously and help the recovery easier and smoother. The pain will surely be short lived too.

Recently, my friend who runs a petroleum company saw his company burn down to ashes due to a freak accident. Life would have been a bitter series then on, had his company not been insured. Read more…

Finding Cheap Car Insurance

Danielle Mitchell — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:43:38 +0000

Any driver in the UK is required by law to have some form of insurance coverage for any type of vehicle.

So, is it possible to find a cheap car insurance policy that’s worth it?

Car insurance is not cheap, so if you could get your hands on a cheaper car insurance policy which covers all, of your personal requirements, then you would be foolish not to take it. Therefore, you just need to know where to look.

There are many ways to find cheap car insurance and we have a few guidelines that may help you.

The first thing you need to understand is knowing the difference between an expensive and a cheap car insurance policy. T

Special kit by PG Secure helps prevent theft of VW Citi Golf

Danielle Mitchell — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:47:14 +0000

A specially designed security kit aimed at preventing the theft of a Volkswagen Citi Golf is expertly fitted at PG Glass Edenvale, and at R499 you only pay for the installation. VW Citi Golfs are among the most popular targets for car thieves in South Africa. Some insurance companies loose as many as 300 per month.

For a once off installation fee you can now have the peace of mind that your vehicle is secure. No drilling or cutting is required and the system can be installed in less than an hour. It can be removed and re-installed when the vehicle is sold.

Known as PG Secure the system will not interfere with your car’s electronics.

It is approved by the South African Independent Accreditation Services and has a 12-month warranty. Y

How to Drive with a Pet

Danielle Mitchell — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:14:55 +0000

If you’re considering taking the whole family – including the furry members – for a road trip, you must remember to take the appropriate safety precautions when transporting your pets.

Usually, a trip in the family car, long or short, can cause a great deal of “excitement” for some pets. This can become a dangerous distraction for the driver and dangerous for a rambunctious pet in a moving vehicle. Before setting out on a trip with your pet, be sure to follow these tips:

Restrain your pet – This is perhaps the most important tip because it keeps your pet from sitting in your lap or obstructing your vision. If you can, use a pet-specific seatbelt or a crate to keep your pet in one spot. If a seatbe

Northern Ireland watchdog acts on car insurance

Danielle Mitchell — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:46:32 +0000

Motorists in Northern Ireland are hopeful of a better deal, following the launch of a campaign by the regions Consumer Council to reduce the cost of car insurance.

Premiums across the Province have shot up by almost 73% in the last two years, with younger drivers worst hit and typically paying more than double the price for being legally on the road than in 2009.

The Council wants the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to grant it permission to examine the market in Northern Ireland, and is inviting consumers to give their support via an online petition.

Those taking the trouble to log on get the opportunity to tell their own story regarding the purchase of car insurance, with both the petition and anecdotal evidence eventually gathered up and submitted to the OFT.

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Justice Committee can also expect to hear from the Council, as it demands a full examination of the impact on premiums of the costs associated with claims.

The watchdogs chief executive, Antoinette McKeown, comments: “The average yearly car insurance premium is now £923.90 and with the increasing cost of fuel the Consumer Council is concerned it will force some people off the road altogether, or lead to an increase in motorists driving illegally without insurance.

Historically residents of Northern Ireland have paid on average £300 more for their car insurance than in the UK generally.

In addition, they have faced the highest price within the UK for petrol, diesel or both, every month so far in 2011.

Top tips For Cheaper Caravan Insurance

Danielle Mitchell — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:16:58 +0000

Although caravan insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, caravan theft is becoming more common and therefore may be the biggest reason to insure your caravan.

Whilst you are towing your caravan you are covered by your motor insurance policy and so you may wonder whether caravan insurance is worth the cost, but as soon as the caravan is un-coupled this is no longer the case and not really worth the risk.

It is estimated that around 3,000 touring caravans a year are the target of crime. This includes anything from the actual caravan being stolen through to personal items being stolen from within the caravan itself.

Motorcyclist (18) critically injured in Pretoria crash in traffic circle

Danielle Mitchell — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:18:11 +0000

An eighteen-year-old motorcyclist is fighting for his life in the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria after he was struck by a heavy goods truck at Fountains Circle this morning.

The cause of the accident and the series of events leading up to it remain unclear and will form the subject of a South African Police Force investigation. Common cause information indicates that the motorcyclist entered the traffic circle and was struck by the heavy goods vehicle. The force of impact saw the man thrown from his motorcycle.

Netcare911 advanced life support paramedics arrived at the scene to find the rider in a critical condition, having sustained significant abdominal trauma.

ABI warns against leaving cars unattended

Danielle Mitchell — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:15:39 +0000

Motorists are being advised by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) not to risk leaving their cars unattended.

As cold weather once again closes in, many will leave their cars unattended whilst they defrost and warm up, but the ABI is advising motorists to stay with their cars and not run the risk of theft.

Last year there was a spike in thefts of cars that were left running but without their driver in sight.

In addition to the risk of theft, leaving a car unattended with the keys in the ignition could invalidate insurance policies.

ABI Director of General Insurance Nick Starling warned motorists to never leave their cars unattended whilst waiting inside for it to defrost and get warm.

In the recent harsh winters police have recorded a surge in such crimes, and two years ago a gang of thieves known as The Ice Bandits received custodial sentences.