Safe driving can lower insurance premiums

The best way to save money on car insurance premiums is to implement safe driving standards whilst behind the wheel, reports show. The staggering figures show speeding infractions as a prime culprit in boosting annual payments.

The figures, reported by the Telegraph, show that speeding points on a driver's licence set offenders' rates to around £1,000, nearly double the amount of that paid by those with a clean driving record. While driving offences have always tended to increase insurance premiums, the figures show the fiscal penalties have grown in the past year.

Insurance industry insider Steve Sweeney told the Telegraph: "Speeding increases accident rates so it's hardly surprising insurers view a conviction dimly."

Repeat offenders, or those with multiple points on their record, could soon find themselves with increased insurance costs that are only set to increase further.

"Serial speeders are worse off year on year and have to fork out nearly £200 more on average for their insurance premiums compared to last year. This is the harsh reality facing anyone who has multiple points on their licence," Sweeney said.

Drivers carrying multiple infractions could also face insurance providers unwilling to insure them entirely.

In a related article, the newspaper reports that it is most often men who are caught speeding, as they are more prone to risk-taking behaviour.

Research shows males aged 17 to 21 living in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, as the demographic most likely to have offences, with 54 per cent being convicted of a speeding offence.

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:01:00 GMT