subject: Car Insurance - Protecting you Financially [print this page] Car Insurance - Protecting you Financially
Car insurance is a legal requirement, but also a very helpful asset to ease the complications of a car accident. Good car insurance will help you stay on the road when you make a claim, as your car insurance provider may even give you a courtesy car while your car is being repaired after an accident. Your car insurance may also cover personal belongings lost or damaged following an accident. In more extreme circumstances, you can also receive financial compensation if you or your partner are accidentally killed or injured while getting into, travelling in or getting out of the car insured.
But why do car accidents happen?
According to the Department for Transport national road accident survey, there are various factors which can contribute to an accident:[1]
Failure to look: is the most frequently reported contributory factor to a car accident. Failing to look was reported in 38% of all car accidents reported to the police in 2009, and 4 in 5 of the most frequently reported contributing factors to an accident involved a driver's error or slow reaction.
Loss of control: is the most common reported reason for fatal accidents. This is usually when a driver has exceeded the speed limit or has simply lost control of their vehicle due to driving conditions.
Exceeding the speed limit or travelling too fast for the road conditions was reported in accidents which accounted for 27% of all fatalities. It's therefore essential that drivers respect speed limits and always drive carefully in difficult driving conditions, such as rain, fog, sleet or snow.
Pedestrians failing to look: was reported in 58% of accidents where a pedestrian was injured or killed. Drivers should therefore always keep a look out for pedestrians, especially young children, who may not be taking care or have seen your car approaching them.
By being aware of these contributing factors, you could help to avoid a car accident in the first place. Unfortunately, accidents do happen which is why it is important to have good car insurance which will protect you financially from the cost of injury, loss or damage.
