Comparing car insurance usually involves a look at your car’s safety and security features. After all, the safer your car is, the greater the chance of driving the cost of premiums down. But there are plenty of more general tips and tricks you can employ to improve your vehicle’s safety, regardless of make or model.
These days cars seem to be safer than ever, thanks to over-the-counter gadgets and impressive on-board tech that can harness everything from satellite tracking and fingerprint recognition technology, to hazard warning and autonomous emergency breaking.
Indeed, 2018 research from Thatcham revealed that one car in particular, the Volvo XC90, can now claim to have never been involved in a fatality on British roads since it left the production line in 2004. That’s almost unheard of. Thatcham believes this type of advanced tech car has the chance to save 1,100 lives in the UK over the next decade – and prevent 122,000 casualties.
The key to safer driving, however, is probably not in an over-dependence on tech; while new technology can help the modern motorist, some of the most effective ways of keeping your car and passengers safe remain pretty basic, and continue to stand the test of time.
Let’s have a look at Compare the Market’s safety checklist to see how well prepped you are.
Try NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme). They're an independent organisation who aren’t interested in aesthetics or the latest tech. They take a thorough but objective look at a car’s safety features, build quality and performance before assessing how safe drivers and passengers would be in a crash.
Each car is put through rigorous testing and then given a car safety rating from 1 to 5 stars. It’s an easy to use website with a section purely for family cars.
If you're off on a family holiday or even just heading out in the car for the day, make sure you've prepared the car by doing all necessary checks. Make sure the kids have all they need to be comfortable and amused – the more occupied they are, the less likely they are to argue or demand your attention.
Breakdown cover means you don't have to worry if something goes wrong with your car. One phone call will bring along an expert mechanic. If the fault can't be fixed on the spot they'll tow your car to a garage and, depending on your level of cover, get you and your passengers home safely. You can buy breakdown cover on its own, or add it to your car insurance policy, but double check you don’t already have cover as part of a packaged bank account or credit card.
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