Over the past few years the usuage levels of both Twitter and Facebook have increased at an exceptional rate. Facebook numbers reached a new record in 2011 with over 500 million people being registered. Twitter is expanding on a similar scale with over 140 million tweets being sent per day.
Currently many motorists, especially young motorists, are continually picking up their phone to check Facebook and Twitter whilst driving- this is not safe!
It is therefore not surprising to find that technology companies are now talking about installing a new and exciting technology for motorists - web connected entertainment. And yes, this means that motorists would have access to Facebook and Twitter while they are driving! So lets picture the scene: you’ve just got back from a fab holiday and you’re now just about to embark on the dreaded car journey home in the pouring rain. You haven’t had any contact with your friends and family all week and are dying to find out all the recent gossip that you've missed out on! I know what you’re all thinking, “Facebook and Twitter installed in my car-what a great idea!”.
So how would it all work? ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) would all work within a type of cloud platform and absolutely everything would be stored within the car itself with all the necessary controls being stored on the steering wheel!
But wait, while this may all sound very snazzy there is major concern behind the technology, especially with the increasing number of youngsters now behind the wheel. It has been argued that the installation of this new technology could potentially cause further distraction and accidents on the road.
Rick Kreifeldt, vice president of innovation and research at Harman supports the new technology and argues that the technology would not be distracting and that it is actually no different to listening to the radio whilst driving. He claims that instead this technology will get rid of any distractions and dangerous driving behavior seeing as the mobile technology is actually integrated into the car, unlike with smartphones or MP3 players.
Motorists today need to bear in mind that while this new technology is an innovative new invention that no doubt will be a big hit in the UK, it’s also paramount that when installed, motorists still give the road their full attention whilst driving in order to reduce the risk of accident! So when you’re embarking on that long boring journey home from the airport, its vital that you stay alert! Furthermore, make sure you’re fully covered. This way, motorists will be able to catch up on all the latest news and gossip safely.
Don’t be your own worst enemy, make sure you’re covered! If you’re a driver, new or old looking for an excellent quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance provider that will let you manage your car insurance at a time convinient for you. Alternatively, get yourself down to Top Gear Live at the NEC Birmingham 11-13th November and visit the eInsurance Group exhibition stand S3 for further information on excellent insurance quotes.
Honesty is our best policy and at eCar we believe that honest drivers who tell the truth on their applications should not have to pay for the cheats that don't! eCar is promoting its Truth or Dare campaign at TGL 2011 to encourage honesty amongst drivers when applying for a quote. Furthermore, come along and visit the ‘Truth Booth’ to confess to a little secret and be in with the chance of winning a brand new iPad2! So what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set, CONFESS!
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Showing posts with label eInsurance Group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eInsurance Group. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Thursday, 20 October 2011
How to avoid a £10,000 fine and 12 points on your licence. The eInsurance guide to tyre safety.
As the winter season approaches and the signs of colder weather are becoming more apparent, it’s not surprising that many websites are giving tokens of advice regarding safety on the road for drivers. Many of these handy tips are there to ensure you don’t run the risk of being involved in an accident on the road. But one car safety tip that is frequently mentioned, is not only there for your protection, but could also save you a fine of up to £10,000 and 12 points on your driving licence – tyre safety.
As October has officially been named Tyre Safety Month, it seems fitting that we’re writing a blog that raises the dangers of having unsafe tyres and the penalty you could pay if you don’t do anything about it.
The main issue amongst most drivers is the fact that the majority are unaware about the laws on tyre safety. A comparison website has recently discovered that 57% of drivers were unaware that the correct tyre depth is 1.6mm, whilst 58% did not know the answer to what the correct pressure of their tyres should be.
Surprisingly, it was also discovered that the age group least likely to know how to put air into their tyres are those aged 18-24, who are the group that not too long ago would have been shown how to do this in their driving lessons. This bears evidence to the fact that not enough is being done to ensure road safety.
So what are the rules on tyre safety? The two main focuses are on tyre depth and tyre pressure. It’s suggested that you should check the pressure of your tyres once per week. However, it’s very unlikely that most people will have the time to do this, so we suggest at least once per month and to make it a priority before embarking on a long distance journey.
Tyre depth is especially important, as this can rack up a hefty fine if it’s not checked frequently. The law states that there should be a minimum of 1.6mm throughout the 3 central quarters of the tyre. If police discover that your vehicle is above this depth, they can slap you with a fine of £2500 and 3 points on your licence for each illegal tyre. Additionally, if you’re involved in a crash and it is found that your tyre depth is below the legal limit, you run the risk of voiding your car insurance policy all together!
Other tips on tyre safety include checking the overall appearance of your tyres. Any visual signs of wear and tear should make you consider replacing the tyre, as this is the cheaper alternative to getting caught with illegal tyres.
This may not be the most interesting topic and checking your tyres regularly is not on top of everyone’s list of priorities, but it’s seen as one of most basic aspects of road safety. It’s a worrying fact that most people are unaware of the rules on tyre safety whilst court convictions for driving on defective tyres are at a four-year high, not to mention the high level of risks you run when driving with illegal tyres.
Help is at hand for those still unsure about how to correctly check their tyres are legal on the road. Throughout Tyre Safety Month, tyresafe.org is sharing the best tips and advice available, with a focus on driving in the winter.
So as the winter months begin to set in, now is the perfect time to get into the habit of checking your tyres. It’s common knowledge that road hazards are much higher during this time and the risk of being involved in a car accident increases. Tyre safety is essential, whatever the weather. To ensure that you are completely covered on the road, this is one aspect of road safety you can’t afford to overlook.
If you’re a driver looking for a great value quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Make sure you’re kept safe this winter. Avoid fines and increased risks on the road by making sure your tyres are properly maintained and visit eCar to make sure you get the right cover whilst saving you money on your car insurance at the same time.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
As October has officially been named Tyre Safety Month, it seems fitting that we’re writing a blog that raises the dangers of having unsafe tyres and the penalty you could pay if you don’t do anything about it.
The main issue amongst most drivers is the fact that the majority are unaware about the laws on tyre safety. A comparison website has recently discovered that 57% of drivers were unaware that the correct tyre depth is 1.6mm, whilst 58% did not know the answer to what the correct pressure of their tyres should be.
Surprisingly, it was also discovered that the age group least likely to know how to put air into their tyres are those aged 18-24, who are the group that not too long ago would have been shown how to do this in their driving lessons. This bears evidence to the fact that not enough is being done to ensure road safety.
So what are the rules on tyre safety? The two main focuses are on tyre depth and tyre pressure. It’s suggested that you should check the pressure of your tyres once per week. However, it’s very unlikely that most people will have the time to do this, so we suggest at least once per month and to make it a priority before embarking on a long distance journey.
Tyre depth is especially important, as this can rack up a hefty fine if it’s not checked frequently. The law states that there should be a minimum of 1.6mm throughout the 3 central quarters of the tyre. If police discover that your vehicle is above this depth, they can slap you with a fine of £2500 and 3 points on your licence for each illegal tyre. Additionally, if you’re involved in a crash and it is found that your tyre depth is below the legal limit, you run the risk of voiding your car insurance policy all together!
Other tips on tyre safety include checking the overall appearance of your tyres. Any visual signs of wear and tear should make you consider replacing the tyre, as this is the cheaper alternative to getting caught with illegal tyres.
This may not be the most interesting topic and checking your tyres regularly is not on top of everyone’s list of priorities, but it’s seen as one of most basic aspects of road safety. It’s a worrying fact that most people are unaware of the rules on tyre safety whilst court convictions for driving on defective tyres are at a four-year high, not to mention the high level of risks you run when driving with illegal tyres.
Help is at hand for those still unsure about how to correctly check their tyres are legal on the road. Throughout Tyre Safety Month, tyresafe.org is sharing the best tips and advice available, with a focus on driving in the winter.
So as the winter months begin to set in, now is the perfect time to get into the habit of checking your tyres. It’s common knowledge that road hazards are much higher during this time and the risk of being involved in a car accident increases. Tyre safety is essential, whatever the weather. To ensure that you are completely covered on the road, this is one aspect of road safety you can’t afford to overlook.
If you’re a driver looking for a great value quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Make sure you’re kept safe this winter. Avoid fines and increased risks on the road by making sure your tyres are properly maintained and visit eCar to make sure you get the right cover whilst saving you money on your car insurance at the same time.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Rock-eating pug among those nominated for the 'weirdest pet insurance claim' award.
You never know what kind of trouble your pets can get into, which is one of the reasons why many of us purchase pet insurance.
Most pet insurance claims may involve more common, regular types of accidents and injuries, although recently there have been reports of some much stranger claims pet owners have made.
One of the latest odd pet insurance claims concerns a pug named Harley who lives in Rhode Island. He has been in the press recently after his owner Lori Laverdiere noticed that he was unable to eat or drink without vomiting. After taking Harley for an X-ray, they found that he had eaten over 100 rocks, which were crammed into his stomach and intestines!
Thankfully, Harley made a full recovery, passing the rocks after taking some medicine.
For such a small dog, this is quite an achievement; one which the Veterinary Pet Insurance Association has recognised in their annual ‘Hambone Awards’. These awards highlight the more unusual pet insurance claims that have been made throughout the year.
Harley will have to fend off some tough competition for the coveted award. For example Tobey, a 7 year-old Labrador, paid the price for his love of playing with the garden sprinkler after his stomach bloated to twice the size from consuming so much water. Another unlucky pet was Chico, a Chihuahua who was injured after an owl swooped down to catch the miniature dog as a light snack. Luckily the owner managed to scare the owl away, but left Chico with a puncture wound on his foreleg.
Many others have also been put up for the prize, in which the general public vote on which story they believe worthy enough for the prize.
Although these stories are humorous and entertaining, there is a serious message behind them - how important it is to purchase pet insurance for your furry members of the family. These stories highlight how your pets can fall victim to serious injuries in the most bizarre situations. Harley’s owner Lori says how happy she was that she took out a pet insurance policy, which she was able to use for the X-ray needed for her dog.
Luckily, all of the pets nominated were in fact covered by some form of pet insurance. However if this weren’t the case, it’s likely most of these owners would have been faced with a costly veterinary bill.
What needs to be remembered is that our four-legged friends are a curious bunch and can get themselves into trouble. It makes sense therefore, both for your pets’ safety and your bank balance that they are covered and kept safe!
Visit ePet for pet insurance to protect against unforeseen incidents that can affect both your pet and your pocket. ePet offers a variety of policies to suit you and your pet. Each year 1 in 3 pets are injured or become ill and need urgent veterinary treatment. We can help cover the cost of these unexpected bills for as little as 13p a day, leaving you with the important job of helping your important member of the family back to full recovery.
Read more about this story here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Most pet insurance claims may involve more common, regular types of accidents and injuries, although recently there have been reports of some much stranger claims pet owners have made.
One of the latest odd pet insurance claims concerns a pug named Harley who lives in Rhode Island. He has been in the press recently after his owner Lori Laverdiere noticed that he was unable to eat or drink without vomiting. After taking Harley for an X-ray, they found that he had eaten over 100 rocks, which were crammed into his stomach and intestines!
Thankfully, Harley made a full recovery, passing the rocks after taking some medicine.
For such a small dog, this is quite an achievement; one which the Veterinary Pet Insurance Association has recognised in their annual ‘Hambone Awards’. These awards highlight the more unusual pet insurance claims that have been made throughout the year.
Harley will have to fend off some tough competition for the coveted award. For example Tobey, a 7 year-old Labrador, paid the price for his love of playing with the garden sprinkler after his stomach bloated to twice the size from consuming so much water. Another unlucky pet was Chico, a Chihuahua who was injured after an owl swooped down to catch the miniature dog as a light snack. Luckily the owner managed to scare the owl away, but left Chico with a puncture wound on his foreleg.
Many others have also been put up for the prize, in which the general public vote on which story they believe worthy enough for the prize.
Although these stories are humorous and entertaining, there is a serious message behind them - how important it is to purchase pet insurance for your furry members of the family. These stories highlight how your pets can fall victim to serious injuries in the most bizarre situations. Harley’s owner Lori says how happy she was that she took out a pet insurance policy, which she was able to use for the X-ray needed for her dog.
Luckily, all of the pets nominated were in fact covered by some form of pet insurance. However if this weren’t the case, it’s likely most of these owners would have been faced with a costly veterinary bill.
What needs to be remembered is that our four-legged friends are a curious bunch and can get themselves into trouble. It makes sense therefore, both for your pets’ safety and your bank balance that they are covered and kept safe!
Visit ePet for pet insurance to protect against unforeseen incidents that can affect both your pet and your pocket. ePet offers a variety of policies to suit you and your pet. Each year 1 in 3 pets are injured or become ill and need urgent veterinary treatment. We can help cover the cost of these unexpected bills for as little as 13p a day, leaving you with the important job of helping your important member of the family back to full recovery.
Read more about this story here.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Be careful who you leave your Ferrari with
When you hand over your car to the mechanic, you’re taking a possible risk. You give your car to a potential stranger and hope they have actually done what they say they have. Of course, most mechanics nowadays are highly qualified and trustworthy, but you never know when one might decide to take your car for a spin, which may have drastic consequences, such as potentially writing the car off!
This is exactly what happened to one particular owner’s vehicle, with his car being none other than a £300,000 Ferrari F40!
The owner of this vehicle had initially bought the car brand new 20 years ago for this price. There have been reports of these cars now going for as much as £1 million in good condition!
It has been reported that the owner of this vehicle was in Europe on business at the time and it was the mechanic responsible for the car during this time that was driving the car.
Eye-witnesses reported that the car was going between 70-90mph in a 35mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle as it veered into the curb and hit the fence. It’s unclear whether the crash was down to a driver error or a mechanical failure in the car. What is known however is that the mechanic should not have been driving the car at the time, let alone at such excessive speeds!
This is not the first story that has come out in recent years in regards to the bad luck Ferrari owners seem to have. For example, in 2010, another hapless mechanic lost control and destroyed a Ferrari worth £200,000 after taking it for a drive as part of its MoT. It’s safe to say that the owner was not happy to hear about this ‘quick’ road test!
Another example happened more recently in Croatia, when a van had lost control of its brakes, slamming into a parked Ferrari spider worth £120,000 and pushing the front end of the car into the sea.
Luckily with all of these incidents, no one was majorly hurt or injured, apart from the owners’ feelings, as well as their cars!
What’s particularly sad about the Ferrari F40 however is the fact that the owner had previously bought it 20 years ago, brand new. For many Ferrari enthusiasts, this model is believed to be one of Ferrari’s greatest cars ever built and is one of the last cars to be made before the company founder, Enzo Ferrari stepped down as founder and managing director of the company. It would therefore be a shame to see it written off, which is looking likely from the damage to the frame.
This should be a warning to all Ferrari owners. When taking your pride and joy for a ‘routine check-up’, make sure you can trust who you’re leaving it with. It might also be a good idea to ensure you’re covered with Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Insurance.
If your car is stolen or written off then GAP Insurance will pay out the difference between the price you paid for your vehicle and the value that your insurer will pay out after depreciation.
Premiums start from just £115 for 3 years cover and GAP Insurance will cover any car up to the value of £150,000. It might be too late for the Ferrari F40 owner but not for you to protect your own investment!
Visit eInsurance Group for all your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
This is exactly what happened to one particular owner’s vehicle, with his car being none other than a £300,000 Ferrari F40!
The owner of this vehicle had initially bought the car brand new 20 years ago for this price. There have been reports of these cars now going for as much as £1 million in good condition!
It has been reported that the owner of this vehicle was in Europe on business at the time and it was the mechanic responsible for the car during this time that was driving the car.
Eye-witnesses reported that the car was going between 70-90mph in a 35mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle as it veered into the curb and hit the fence. It’s unclear whether the crash was down to a driver error or a mechanical failure in the car. What is known however is that the mechanic should not have been driving the car at the time, let alone at such excessive speeds!
This is not the first story that has come out in recent years in regards to the bad luck Ferrari owners seem to have. For example, in 2010, another hapless mechanic lost control and destroyed a Ferrari worth £200,000 after taking it for a drive as part of its MoT. It’s safe to say that the owner was not happy to hear about this ‘quick’ road test!
Another example happened more recently in Croatia, when a van had lost control of its brakes, slamming into a parked Ferrari spider worth £120,000 and pushing the front end of the car into the sea.
Luckily with all of these incidents, no one was majorly hurt or injured, apart from the owners’ feelings, as well as their cars!
What’s particularly sad about the Ferrari F40 however is the fact that the owner had previously bought it 20 years ago, brand new. For many Ferrari enthusiasts, this model is believed to be one of Ferrari’s greatest cars ever built and is one of the last cars to be made before the company founder, Enzo Ferrari stepped down as founder and managing director of the company. It would therefore be a shame to see it written off, which is looking likely from the damage to the frame.
This should be a warning to all Ferrari owners. When taking your pride and joy for a ‘routine check-up’, make sure you can trust who you’re leaving it with. It might also be a good idea to ensure you’re covered with Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Insurance.
If your car is stolen or written off then GAP Insurance will pay out the difference between the price you paid for your vehicle and the value that your insurer will pay out after depreciation.
Premiums start from just £115 for 3 years cover and GAP Insurance will cover any car up to the value of £150,000. It might be too late for the Ferrari F40 owner but not for you to protect your own investment!
Visit eInsurance Group for all your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Backseat drivers’ comments are steering motorists to danger.
As most drivers know, there are many factors that can distract you from concentrating when you are driving, both externally and internally, which can lead to dangerous conclusions.
In recent years, the most reported distraction has been the dangers of talking on your mobile phone whilst driving. In the UK, the law states that it is illegal to drive whilst using a mobile phone, with police ever being able to prosecute drivers when they are using a hands free devise if they think their driving performance is poor whilst using one.
A recent study by esure however has looked at another dangerous distraction that many believe to be harmless, but in reality is the reason for one in seven road accidents or near misses - backseat drivers.
This new study reveals how backseat drivers’ comments have increasingly become the cause of many road accidents, with partners being the worst offenders. This is becoming an increasing risk for many drivers, mainly because they underestimate the effects that distractions have on their driving. The study also shows that men are the worst culprits to take their eyes off the roads for a chat. But even when drivers keep their eyes on the road, backseat comments can cause distractions which may lead to the driver not spotting hazards on the road.
The study highlighted other top distractions for drivers, which included eating, drinking and changing music, but driving with other passengers was seen as a bigger distraction by those who took part in the study, with backseat comments topping the bill (51% of motorists citing this as the worst distraction).
What’s even more surprising is that even though this study showed that most people recognised backseat drivers as a distraction, almost all (91%) motorists who took part in the study admitted to being backseat driver themselves when travelling in another car!
You may find it difficult to manage distractions whilst driving. Some distractions are unavoidable, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming distracted. For example, you need to recognise what is causing the distraction. If it’s a backseat driver, you need to ensure they are aware that they are causing a distraction. You may think you are being rude to the passenger, but this is a much better outcome than being involved in a road accident.
Also, if you are aware that you are a backseat driver, like many who took part in this study admitted to being, it’s essential to learn to respect the driver of the vehicle and understand that you are more than likely going to be more of a hindrance rather than a help with your comments. Distractions are everywhere for motorists, so you should not add to these with your ‘helpful’ comments!
There is currently no law against back-seat drivers, but there are laws that focus on not engaging in distractive activities. Motorists can be charged with careless driving or failing to be in proper control of their vehicle. In other words, a backseat driver might not receive 3 points on their licence, but their comments may lead to the driver getting into trouble with the law if they become too distracted.
Above all, remember to simply focus on your driving. This needs to be a priority for all drivers, even if you’re driving on a route you regularly take. It may seem a pretty obvious, but many motorists forget this, which makes them victim to distractions like backseat drivers’ criticisms. And remember, if backseat drivers persist with their comments, you can always kindly remind them where the nearest bus stop is!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Click here to read more.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
In recent years, the most reported distraction has been the dangers of talking on your mobile phone whilst driving. In the UK, the law states that it is illegal to drive whilst using a mobile phone, with police ever being able to prosecute drivers when they are using a hands free devise if they think their driving performance is poor whilst using one.
A recent study by esure however has looked at another dangerous distraction that many believe to be harmless, but in reality is the reason for one in seven road accidents or near misses - backseat drivers.
This new study reveals how backseat drivers’ comments have increasingly become the cause of many road accidents, with partners being the worst offenders. This is becoming an increasing risk for many drivers, mainly because they underestimate the effects that distractions have on their driving. The study also shows that men are the worst culprits to take their eyes off the roads for a chat. But even when drivers keep their eyes on the road, backseat comments can cause distractions which may lead to the driver not spotting hazards on the road.
The study highlighted other top distractions for drivers, which included eating, drinking and changing music, but driving with other passengers was seen as a bigger distraction by those who took part in the study, with backseat comments topping the bill (51% of motorists citing this as the worst distraction).
What’s even more surprising is that even though this study showed that most people recognised backseat drivers as a distraction, almost all (91%) motorists who took part in the study admitted to being backseat driver themselves when travelling in another car!
You may find it difficult to manage distractions whilst driving. Some distractions are unavoidable, but there are some precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming distracted. For example, you need to recognise what is causing the distraction. If it’s a backseat driver, you need to ensure they are aware that they are causing a distraction. You may think you are being rude to the passenger, but this is a much better outcome than being involved in a road accident.
Also, if you are aware that you are a backseat driver, like many who took part in this study admitted to being, it’s essential to learn to respect the driver of the vehicle and understand that you are more than likely going to be more of a hindrance rather than a help with your comments. Distractions are everywhere for motorists, so you should not add to these with your ‘helpful’ comments!
There is currently no law against back-seat drivers, but there are laws that focus on not engaging in distractive activities. Motorists can be charged with careless driving or failing to be in proper control of their vehicle. In other words, a backseat driver might not receive 3 points on their licence, but their comments may lead to the driver getting into trouble with the law if they become too distracted.
Above all, remember to simply focus on your driving. This needs to be a priority for all drivers, even if you’re driving on a route you regularly take. It may seem a pretty obvious, but many motorists forget this, which makes them victim to distractions like backseat drivers’ criticisms. And remember, if backseat drivers persist with their comments, you can always kindly remind them where the nearest bus stop is!
Visit eCar, an online insurance solution that will let you manage your car insurance whenever is suitable for you. As well as annual car insurance, we provide short term car insurance from 1 to 28 days and monthly car insurance in the form of a flexible Pay As You Go car insurance policy.
Click here to read more.
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)