Four in ten drivers say no claim, less pain

More than 40 per cent of UK drivers would rather put their hand in their own pocket to pay for minor car damage than risk their No Claims Discount, according to comprehensive research from greenbee.com, the financial services arm of the John Lewis Partnership.

In its survey of 1,448 UK adults in July, greenbee.com - which yesterday (29 July) launched into the car insurance market - found that 43 per cent of people would only approach their insurance provider after a minor mishap if it meant that they would not lose their No Claims Discount.

But the research also reveals that some drivers - 10 per cent - would always claim no matter how minor the prang, with Londoners (16 per cent) most likely to demand their providers stump up for a small scrape or bashed bumper.

When it comes to car catastrophes, however, it seems that many people are completely in the dark about their cover and could be heading for disappointment come claim time.

While one in 10 admits to having no idea of the level of protection on their car insurance, UK drivers also have unrealistic expectations about what is covered as standard. More than a third of those surveyed (36 per cent) expect to get a replacement car if their car is written off, although less than a quarter - 22 per cent (47 out of 212) - of products on the market provide a courtesy car as standard following total loss. Of these, under half (43 per cent) only offer a replacement car for four days or less*.

With research showing that around 20 per cent of own-damage claims usually resulting in the car being written off, it appears many will be left unexpectedly without a vehicle and off the road following a major road accident. Despite their years of experience, older drivers look set to be the most disappointed, with almost half of those aged 55-64 (46 per cent) expecting to receive a replacement car if theirs was stolen or irreparably damaged, compared to just 31 per cent of 25-34 year olds.

Creature comforts

UK adults like to have their creature comforts at hand when it comes to car travel, carrying an estimated £327 of goods - from CDs and iPods to portable games consoles and make-up - in their cars. Five per cent of men drive with a staggering £1,000-plus worth of belongings with them. But with more than half of all drivers surveyed - 54 per cent - believing their insurance only covers goods up to the value of £250, the research highlights the need for drivers to ensure they have all their valued belongings kept safe and secure at all times.

James Furse, managing director, greenbee.com said: “Our analysis of the car insurance market has demonstrated that there are issues around people’s understanding of what they are covered for, with an alarming minority unaware of what level of protection they actually have.

“There is a clear discrepancy between consumers’ expectations and the reality of their insurance cover, which can leave drivers frustrated, disappointed and, in the worst cases, out of pocket and off the road.

“Customers want good value products and high-quality service and we have built Greenbee Car Insurance to suit these exact requirements, offering competitive pricing with the highest levels of quality from a brand they trust.”

For further information on Greenbee Car Insurance, available from 29 July 2008, log on to Greenbee.com.