As the evenings draw in and temperatures start to dip, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance is warning motorists to take particular care over the winter months and is offering a range of tips to help winter drivers stay safe on the roads.
The supermarket bank’s analysis(1) of government data reveals that November, December and January are the months that result in the highest personal injury accident rates per vehicle miles driven for all car users.
Casualty rates, which refer to personal injury accidents on public roads in Great Britain which become known to the police within 30 days, are 15 per cent higher than the monthly average in November; 11 per cent higher in December; and 8 per cent higher in January, the three highest rates in the whole year.
Tom Thomson, Head of Sainsbury’s Car Insurance said: “The consequences of an accident or breakdown can be greater in winter, especially with challenging driving conditions from icy roads to storms and snow, so we would encourage all motorists to take great care no matter how short their journey.
“It’s also useful to take steps before you set off such as charging your mobile phone and letting people know your route. Having a good quality breakdown policy will also give you peace of mind that you can call for professional assistance if needed.”
Other tips include ensuring your car is fully serviced, adopting a driving style to suit the conditions and carrying an emergency kit in your car.
Month
Casualty rates for all car users each month compared to monthly average(1)
November
+15%
December
+11%
January
+8%
October
+7%
March
+0%
February
-2%
July
-3%
June
-4%
September
-4%
May
-6%
August
-7%
April
-13%
Here are Sainsbury’s Car Insurance’s tips to help winter drivers stay safe on the roads:
Before you set off
Before you set off, check the weather forecast and traffic updates and if possible, delay travelling if either of these is adverse.
Defrost and warm up the car before your journey but never leave the vehicle unattended when the keys are in the ignition. Make sure your car is fully serviced and in top condition; including tyre pressure, anti-freeze; lights; spare tyre and that you have ample fuel.
Check your insurance and breakdown cover are up-to-date and keep a note of these phone numbers in the car.
Carry basic winter essentials with you on every journey. These include a warm coat or blanket, a shovel in the boot, de-icer, a bottle of water and some snacks.
Check your tyre condition for both pressure and legal tread depth – the current minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm.
Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged at the start of your journey.
Whilst driving
Leave more time for all manoeuvres – accelerate and decelerate slowly and leave plenty of distance for braking and turning. Dropping gears instead of braking can help prevent skidding.
In icy conditions, avoid stopping when going uphill and use a lower gear when going downhill.
If you get stuck in ice or snow, make sure your handbrake is on and clear the area around the wheels; then apply grit or salt around the slipping wheel. Use low revs to gently move away. Setting off in second gear can provide more traction.
Sainsbury’s Bank Car Insurance offers double Nectar points on Premier Cover for up to two years on Sainsbury’s Shopping and fuel for those who receive a quote and purchase direct from Sainsbury’s Bank. Customers must renew their policy at first renewal for double Nectar points to continue(2) .
Sainsbury’s Bank Car Insurance’s new customer offer includes free Sainsbury’s Breakdown Service cover, provided by Green Flag, for a year when you obtain a new Sainsbury’s car insurance quote and subsequently purchase a policy. Underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.
Visit http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/insuring/car-insurance.shtml for more info and terms.
For further information on Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance, call 0800 092 9334, visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk or pick up a leaflet in store.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Emma Murphy, Citigate Dewe Rogerson on 020 7282 1072
Jennifer Johnston-Watt, Sainsbury’s Bank on 0131 286 0779
Notes to Editors:
(1) Sainsbury’s Bank analysis of Department of Transport statistics (Reported casualties and casualty rates by month, road user type and severity, Great Britain, 2013). Analysis of the number of casualties per billion vehicle miles driven in each month.
(2) All Offer Terms and Conditions
Double Nectar :
Offer available only to new customers who take out a new Sainsbury’s Premier Cover Car Insurance policy. Quote must have originated on the Sainsbury’s Bank website or on the telephone. Quotes and subsequent accepts from price comparison sites will not be eligible for double Nectar points
Customers must renew their Sainsbury’s Premier Cover Car Insurance at first renewal for double points to continue.
If the policy is cancelled, double points will cease from the cancellation date.
Only the first car insurance policy registered against each Nectar account will qualify for double points.
Base points on qualifying spend in Sainsbury’s will be collected as normal. A bonus equal to the total of these points each calendar month (subject to a monthly maximum of 2,500) will be credited to the Nectar account by the 10th of the following month, for up to 24 months from the policy cover start date. Excludes all bonus point offers and points from Sainsbury’s Energy, Telecoms, Digital, Bank and all other Sainsbury’s services.
The monthly bonus will only be calculated on, and credited to, the Nectar card nominated at the time of application. The nominated card must also be used at the time of each Sainsbury’s purchase and points will not be allocated retrospectively.
The Nectar loyalty programme is operated independently of Sainsbury’s Bank by Aimia Coalition Loyalty UK Ltd; and the collection and use of points is governed by Nectar Collector Rules, set out in the registration pack and available at nectar.com
Sainsbury’s Bank reserves the right to alter, cancel or withdraw the offer without prior notice.£30 to spend in store:
Introductory offer available only to new customers who get a Sainsbury’s Car Insurance quote between 29/7/14 and 29/12/14 and subsequently purchase – this offer has been extended. Quote must have originated on the Sainsbury’s Bank website or on the telephone. Quotes and subsequent accepts from price comparison sites will not be eligible for the £30 worth of coupons offer. Coupons will be issued 60 days after the policy start date. If your policy is cancelled within this period your coupons will not be issued. Limited to issuing one set of coupons per policy, duplicate coupons will not be issued.
Offer is six £5 coupons with varying validity dates, Coupons may only be used at point of purchase as per terms specified on front of coupon. Hand the coupon to the cashier and, provided you have spent at least £5 in one transaction and the conditions are met, the amount will be deducted from your bill. Coupon valid on instore purchases only. This coupon is not valid for purchases made via Sainsbury’s websites. Coupons cannot be used for spirits and liqueurs, cashback or purchases made from the National lottery stand, tobacco kiosk, vending machines, concessions, or purchases of baby milk products, gift cards, prescription medicines, saving stamps, phone cards, mobile phone vouchers, charity items or fuel, or against online delivery charges. If you have a coupon valid for an age related product, you must be aged 18 years or over to redeem. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer and is non transferable. Sale, auction or tendering of this coupon for money or otherwise is specifically prohibited. Photocopies are not accepted. This coupon has no cash value. No change will be given. Only one coupon for this offer may be used per transaction. Sainsbury’s reserve the right to retract the offer at any time.10% discount
available to existing Sainsbury’s car insurance customers buying a new Sainsbury’s home insurance policy. Introductory offer. Minimum premiums apply. Where multiple discounts apply, each discount is applied consecutively to the reduced premium.
Sainsbury’s Bank:
To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury’s Bank online media centre at www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/media
Sainsbury’s was the first major British supermarket to open a bank, commencing trading in February 1997. Benefiting from a fantastic, trusted brand that enables us to combine the shopping experience with personal finance, Sainsbury’s Bank provides a range of quality products including insurances, credit cards, savings and loans. Our proposition is to make shopping more rewarding by offering customers great products at fair prices, while consistently rewarding shoppers for their loyalty and being easy to do business with at all times. Our products consistently top best buy tables and regularly win awards for quality, price and service.
Sainsbury’s Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury’s Bank is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Direct Line Insurance Group plc
U K Insurance Limited is the underwriter of Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance and Sainsbury’s Bank home insurance and are part of the Direct Line Group PLC. Direct Line Group plc (Direct Line Group) is headquartered in Bromley; it has operations in the UK, Germany and Italy.
Through its number of well-known brands Direct Line Group offers a wide range of general insurance products to consumers. These brands include; Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege. It also offers insurance services for third party brands through its Partnerships division. In the commercial sector, its NIG and Direct Line for Business operations provide insurance products for businesses via brokers or direct respectively.
In addition to insurance services, Direct Line Group continues to provide support and reassurance to millions of UK motorists through its Green Flag breakdown recovery service and Tracker stolen vehicle recovery and telematics business.
U K Insurance is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.