elephant.co.uk reveals Scottish drivers like to make it personal

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep 02, 2011 - Motorists living in Scotland are the most likely to own a personalised numberplate new research by elephant.co.uk has revealed. And the plates are odds-on to be seen adorning the bumpers of luxury cars such as Bentleys, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

Car insurance (http://www.elephant.co.uk/ ) specialist elephant.co.uk looked at 3.5 million policies and found that of the top 10 postcodes where personalised plates are popular, eight are in Scotland, with the affluent settlement of Kilmacolm in Inverclyde at the top of the list. 14% of drivers there own a personalised plate compared to a national average of 4%.

In second place we move to the other end of the country to the millionaire’s playground of Sandbanks in Dorset (13%), but then in third place it’s back up north with the prosperous Glasgow commuter area of Newton Mearns (12%). Also in the top 10 are a number of postcodes in and around Aberdeen, with North Ferriby in Humberside joining Sandbanks as the only other location outside of Scotland.

Brian Martin, managing director of elephant.co.uk, said: "Considering the affluent areas around the country where we see the highest proportion of personalised number plates, it certainly looks like they’re used as a status symbol.

"However, it's hard to say why they’re so popular in Scotland specifically. Maybe Scottish motorists look to express their individuality more than those in the rest of the UK."

When it comes to what cars the personalised plates appear on, it's perhaps no surprise that owners of luxury models are the most likely to splash out on them. In fact, the whole top 10 list is made up of prestige motors. Most popular is the Bentley Continental, with 36% carrying a personalised plate. This is followed by the Ferrari 360 and Aston Martin DB7 (both on 35%).

Brian continued: "It wasn’t a surprise to see that prestige models dominate the list, however, it was surprising to see that such a large number of Bentley Continental, Ferrari 360 and Aston Martin DB7 owners splash out on personalised plates. Drivers of those cars definitely want to stand out from the crowd."

When it comes to occupations, elephant.co.uk found that Company Chairmen are head and shoulders above the rest with 16% owning one, followed by Bank Directors on 12% and Property Developers on 11%.

elephant.co.uk also looked at those areas, occupations and vehicles with the lowest percentage of personalised plates. The Hilborough and Northwold area near Thetford, Norfolk was revealed as the area of the UK with the lowest percentage of cars with personalised numberplates, croupiers were the occupation at the bottom of the list whilst the Suzuki Liana is the vehicle least likely to have one attached to it.

Notes to Editors:
elephant.co.uk looked at postcode areas, occupations and vehicles where there was a sample of at least 200 motorists.

About elephant.co.uk:
elephant.co.uk was launched in August 2000 and has over 485,000 customers. elephant.co.uk is a trading name of EUI Limited and is part of the Admiral Group plc.

elephant.co.uk specialises in providing online car insurance on the Internet. elephant.co.uk targets 17-35 year-olds living in cities, who traditionally pay higher premiums for car insurance elephant.co.uk is proud to support Tusk throughout 2011.

elephant.co.uk writes its motor insurance business to a consortium of insurers, these being: Admiral Insurance Company Ltd, Admiral Insurance (Gibraltar) Limited and Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) plc.

PR Contact:
James Carnduff
Elephant.co.uk
Capital Tower
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AZ
029 2043 4333
www.elephant.co.uk

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QUINN-direct Nationwide Survey Reveals a Number of Intersting Stats

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 09, 2011 - One in three people admit to being a passenger in a car while the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, QUINN-direct nationwide survey finds

A nationwide survey of 1000 adults commissioned by QUINN-direct Car Insurance Ireland has revealed that over a third (36%) of Irish people has been a passenger in a car where the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Males, those aged 45+ and living in Connaught or Ulster are most likely to be the offenders.  People aged 35-44 and living in Dublin were least likely to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The survey found that one in five people admit to having driven a car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once again, this figure is significantly higher amongst men (28%) and those over the age of 45 (26%). Women (10%) and people aged 16-24 (7%) were least likely to have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Munster people were more likely than those in any other province to have driven while under the influence (21%).

Almost three quarters of the Irish population have experienced anger or rage while driving
The research, which tested Irish people’s attitudes to driving and their driving habits, highlighted that the majority of Irish drivers (71%) experienced anger or rage whilst driving. A large percentage of men (78%) say they have experienced rage or anger behind the wheel and a significant percentage of women felt the same (64%). Incidences of rage are highest amongst those aged 24-44 but affected people around the country irrespective of location.

Over a half of Irish adults continue to use their mobile phone whilst driving
Over half (52%) of Irish adults said they used their mobile phone while driving to make or receive calls (without the use of a headset/bluetooth). Females were slightly more likely (34%) than men (32%) to use their phone while driving and those in the 35-44 age group were most likely to be the offenders (64%).

Two thirds of Irish drivers have broken the speed limit in the last 12 months
Two thirds of Irish drivers admit to having broken the speed limit in the last 12 months (66%). 75% of men and 66% of females admitted they had broken the speed limit – 73% of those in Munster compared to 64% in Connacht and Ulster, and 65% in Dublin. Those aged between 35 and 44 were most likely to have broken the speed limit.

QUINN-direct has created a series of road safety tips, for further information specifically regarding road safety, please visit; www.rsa.ie. Following these tips will ensure our roads are safer as well as instigate other benefits such as lowering car insurance rates.

1. Don't use your mobile phone whilst driving
Making or receiving a call, even using a hands-free phone, could lead to an accident.

2. Belt up in the back
In a collision, an unbelted rear seat passenger can kill or seriously injure the driver or a front seat passenger.

3. Alcohol, drugs and driving
Alcohol and both illegal and prescription drugs (including cold remedies) can impair your driving. It is never ok to drive when you have taken drugs. Be a safe driver and don't drink and drive.

4. Slow down
Take extra care outside schools and parks and other places where there may be more pedestrians around. Don’t forget children often act impulsively and many will be “trick or treating” this Halloween.

5. Take a break
Tiredness is thought to be a major factor in more than 10% of road accidents. Plan to stop for at least a 15 minute break every 2 hours on a long journey this bank holiday.

6. Anticipate
Observe and anticipate other road users. Use your mirrors regularly and don't forget to glance into your blind area before altering your course.

7. Use child seats
Child and baby seats should be fitted properly and checked every trip.

8. Keep your distance
Always keep a safe distance from the car in front.

9. Check your tyres
With the weather changing, it is important to ensure that your tyres are roadworthy for winter.

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Standard Life reveals Brits tend to miss bargain investments

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 08, 2011 - Standard Life has found that the majority of UK consumers can spot a good deal when it comes to a holiday, but are likely to miss out on a good deal when it comes to their finances.  

In a UK wide consumer poll and prize draw in which 8,500 people took part Standard Life found that almost seven out of ten (70%) people would choose a holiday of a lifetime worth £5,000 even if they had to wait five years, rather than settle on a luxury short break this year worth £640*. £5,000 is how much a pension (http://www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/pensions) could be worth if £640 was invested into a pension plan (http://www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/help/financial-c ...) each year for the next five years**.  

The poll and prize draw, run by long term savings and investment (http://www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/investing) provider Standard Life, highlighted that the UK public know how to spot a good deal when offered one and are willing to wait five years to make their holiday dreams come true.  But this savvy forward looking culture is yet to filter through into finances, with almost half (45%) of Brits planning just one to 12 months ahead and a further one in six (17%) failing to make any financial plans at all, according to Standard Life's research***.

Standard Life's John Lawson said: "Consumers are keen to spot a good deal which is why voucher codes and group buying websites have become so popular.  But many only apply this bargain hunt culture when buying goods, not when it comes to their financial planning. Consumers who take a short term view to their personal finances are likely to miss out on long term tax efficient products that offer far greater benefits than your standard savings account.  For example, if you're a lower rate tax payer and pay into a pension, the government gives you 20% extra on top straight away in tax relief.  That means a pension contribution of £100 a month is instantly worth £125 a month.  People's great bargain hunting skills are being wasted if they are not picking out these great investment deals."

Notes to Editors:
* The average amount British households spend on a package holiday each year based on ONS Stats.
** For illustrative purposes only, assuming 5% annual investment growth, 4% average annual pay rise each year and basic rate tax relief on pension contributions.
*** According to the Standard Life omnibus research undertaken between 23-25 March 2011, 45% of people plan their finances one month to 12 months ahead; 17% of people don't plan their finances at all;  22% plan between a year and five years ahead; and just 16% of people plan over 5 years ahead.  Total sample size was 2,057 adults in the UK.

About Standard Life (http://www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/home):
Standard Life is a leading long term savings and investments company headquartered in Edinburgh and operating internationally. Established in 1825, Standard Life provides life assurance, annuities, life insurance (http://www.standardlife.co.uk/1/site/uk/insurance/life), savings products such as an ISA, investment funds, tax efficiencies, pensions including self-invested personal pensions (SIPP) company pensions and employer pensions, and investment management to around 6 million customers worldwide.

Press Contact:
Nicki Lundy
Public Relations Manager
Standard Life plc
Ground Floor
Caledonian Exchange
19a Canning Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EG
44 (0)131 245 2737
www.standardlife.co.uk

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Admiral reveals more than a quarter of motorists admit to drink driving

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 15, 2011 – Admiral, a leading car insurance expert, has revealed worrying new research that suggests the number of people drink driving has risen in the last year. It found that 28% of motorists have driven their car in the knowledge they were over the legal alcohol limit, up from 24% in 2010.

Admiral commissioned YouGov to survey 2,500 drivers for the annual Admiral Survey of Motorists, which includes questions about drink driving. With summer in full swing and the temptation to drive after a few drinks in a beer garden or at a barbecue high, the results raise concerns that the anti-drink driving message is failing to hit home.

Many motorists still believe a few drinks before getting behind the wheel won’t hurt. So while nearly half of those questioned said they would only consider themselves safe to drive after drinking no units of alcohol, one in ten said they think they are still safe after drinking three or more units.

When it comes to gender, men appear to be far more likely than women to drink and drive.  37% of men said they have driven while over the limit, compared with 16% of women, and 16% of men said they think they are still safe to drive after three or more drinks, compared with just 1% of women.

Roger Singer, head of road safety charity DDE+, gave his thoughts on why drink driving is such a concern in the summer: "Firstly, and it seems too simple, it's warmer, so try not to drink alcohol for thirst - have a pint of squash first and then savour that pint of lager or glass of wine at a more leisurely pace.

"Secondly the drinking episodes can be longer, we start stoking up the lunch-time BBQ about 11am on Sunday morning sampling the bottled lager to make sure it's up to standard at the same time.  We're finishing the last of the Rosé as we are clearing up at midnight. Without realising it we've consumed a total of 29 units - it's only a beer or a glass of wine an hour but it means we won't be able to drive till 4pm Monday."

Another major risk highlighted by Admiral’s research is the number of people who admit they have driven the morning after drinking heavily the night before.  Nearly a quarter of motorists admitted they have done this while they suspected they were over the limit, while a further 16% are unsure if they were safe to drive.

Sue Longthorn, managing director of Admiral, said: "These statistics are a real concern; the number of people who say they have driven while over the limit is up from last year and stands at nearly three out of ten motorists. We just want to highlight these figures and point out why it is never worth the risk.

"Motorists who get caught drink driving could also find it difficult to get insured. They will at least find their car insurance (http://www.admiral.com/ ) premiums have increased, and this increase could be significant, and in some extreme cases they could even be refused insurance completely."

More information on this and the rest of Admiral’s Annual Survey of British Motorists can be found at www.admiral.com/surveyofmotorists.

-ends-

Notes to Editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,500 adults who -1241067585  have a driver's licence and at least one car in their household. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th - 9th May 2011.  The survey was carried out online.

About Admiral:
Admiral, (a trading name of EUI Ltd) launched in 1993, and is part of Admiral Group plc. It was set up to target those motorists who traditionally pay higher than average premiums, including those under-35, living in cities or driving hot hatches.

PR Contact:
Justin Beddows
Admiral
Capital Tower
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF10 3AZ
029 2043 4333
www.admiral.com

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