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Claims frequency of UK motorists falls from 18% to 13.9%, says report

  Friday, 28 December 2012

A recent study from automotive research company, Trend Tracker found the number of insurance claims reported to car insurers as a proportion of all cars insured had fallen from 18 per cent in 2006 to 13.9 per cent in 2011.

This rate, also known as the national “claims frequency”, indicates that fewer car owners are having their vehicles repaired for fear of rising car insurance premiums.

This year insurance companies are estimated to have paid out £2.01m in car body repairs – 27 per cent less than the £2.75m it paid out in repairs back in 2006. Despite this significant decrease, Trend Tracker has found that average private car insurance premiums have increased by 24 per cent from £349 in 2006 to an estimated £434 in 2012.

With higher premiums and other financial commitments for motorists to meet, many car owners have opted to choose increased voluntary excesses on their insurance policies in a bid to reduce their overall premiums.

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However, this also makes motorists liable for a hefty pay-out in the event of a serious road accident. For instance, it is not uncommon for drivers to now accept a £500 insurance excess which represents just 40 per cent of this year’s average repair costs of £1,297.

There are increasing cases of motorists obtaining accident damage but choosing not to have the car repaired if the vehicle is still drivable.

Robert McNab, Trend Tracker’s lead analyst, said: “This trend is of concern, as it may mean that some cars are being unprofessionally repaired and may be dangerous.”

Motorists who know their way around their car and are capable of carrying out repairs themselves are beginning to take advantage of the possible savings a second-hand car part can bring.

Buying a recycled car part from a salvage vehicle makes sound financial sense if money is tight, instead of purchasing a brand new part from a dealership.

At ASM Auto Recycling our own used car parts department offers a 90-day guarantee on all tested parts to give drivers peace of mind.

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