Car Insurance Claims Flooding In

Swinton reports 18% increase in motoring claims due to bad weather. As heavy rain pours down on Britain and The Met Office issues severe weather warnings across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales.

A driver's level of risk is dramatically increased when roads are wet and it is raining heavily. It is important that drivers remain alert and take extra precautions in order to make their journey as safe as possible. It is very easy to misjudge stopping distances in wet weather, and this factor is responsible for low speed shunts in traffic jams and on slower speed limit roads.

Aquaplaning is particularly dangerous because the driver losses total control of their vehicle, putting themselves and other road users at risk. It only takes a thin film of water to cause a car to aquaplane, and could potentially lead to a serious accident.

(PRWEB) August 14, 2008 -- As heavy rain pours downs on Britain and The Met Office issues severe weather warnings across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales, Swinton's warning drivers about the dangers of monsoon motoring and the rising levels of Car Insurance claims as drivers get caught short in torrential downpours.

Swinton Car Insurance

Last month leading high street insurance retailer Swinton saw a 18% rise in car insurance claims compared to July 2007 - a figure mainly attributed to the bad weather and the impact monsoon motoring is having on British roads.

A raft of claims have been reported, spanning a wide range of customers in varying circumstances, proving that the bad weather is totally indiscriminate, upsetting anyone in its wake. Wet, slippery road surfaces and longer breaking distances contribute to the flood of claims, suggesting that weather related accidents don't just affect drivers travelling at high speed.

Insurer development manager Steve Chelton warns: "A driver's level of risk is dramatically increased when roads are wet and it is raining heavily. It is important that drivers remain alert and take extra precautions in order to make their journey as safe as possible. It is very easy to misjudge stopping distances in wet weather, and this factor is responsible for low speed shunts in traffic jams and on slower speed limit roads."

Reduced visibility and aquaplaning are two further causes of accidents in wet weather. Steve Chelton explains, "Aquaplaning is particularly dangerous because the driver losses total control of their vehicle, putting themselves and other road users at risk. It only takes a thin film of water to cause a car to aquaplane, and could potentially lead to a serious accident."

Swinton is urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the advice they have issued on how to driving safely in monsoon-like conditions.

• Switch on headlights
• Check wipers are effective front and back
• Avoid overtaking
• Slow down, using a lower gear if appropriate
• Keep wing mirrors clean so that rain water drips clear
• Keep your mobile phone in the glove box or in your handbag in case of emergences and always use a hands-free kit
• Listen to weather updates
• Pack water-proof clothes in case of breakdown
• Ensure inside windscreens are grease-free and so they don't steam up
• Plan unfamiliar routes and identify places to pull over such as service stations
• Make sure tyres are regularly checked for tread and pressure
• Remember to allow at least double the normal stopping distance when braking, and keep well back from the car in front of you.

About Swinton

• With 470 branches nationwide Swinton is the largest high street insurance retailer
• Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community
• Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance
• With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates
• Swinton offers a 'clicks and bricks' approach to insurance - online prices with a high street presence.

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