Information About Risks of Dangerous Driving And Car Insurance

Dangerous driving has risen by four per cent in the last year as more drivers throw caution to the wind behind the wheel. However, this form of driving could have some serious consequences for their car insurance premiums.

What is dangerous driving?

According to research from Sainsbury’s Finance, more than two thirds of Brits admit to partaking in some form of dangerous driving activity in the last month alone.

These activities can take a number of forms. The most popular is eating and drinking behind the wheel – many of us take our hands off the steering wheel and our eyes off the road in order to down a quick snack or drink. Another dangerous activity is driving while tired – losing consciousness for just a moment could be enough for you to swerve your car, lose control and be involved in a serious accident.

Other dangerous activities include driving with the wrong footwear, such as flip flops or no shoes… this could cause your feet to slip off the pedal at inopportune times. Excessive speeding and using a non hands-free phone while behind the wheel are also common even though they are illegal activities. If you are caught doing any of this while driving you could be fined and given penalty points on your license.

How does dangerous driving affect car insurance premiums?

Your punishment for some of these activities will not end at just a fine – it could scupper your premiums for years to come.

Many insurers take a harsh view of dangerous driving. Just one speeding or mobile phone use offense on your record could cause a sharp rise in your premiums. In fact some insurers will not offer quotes if you have more than one offense on your driving record, while others may increase premiums by as much as 74 per cent.

If you are involved in an accident as a result of a dangerous driving activity your premiums are likely to sky rocket. It will instantly wipe out a no-claims discount if you are at fault for a wreck and in some incidents your insurer may even refuse to pay out.

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