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A closer look at car insurance for women
To drive in the UK you must be at least 17 years old with a provisional or full driving licence. When learning to drive you must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over who has held a full driving licence for at least three years. You must also drive a roadworthy vehicle that has been taxed and is fully insured.
However, while car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK there are many different types of insurance available including car insurance designed specifically for female drivers.
Why are there separate car insurance providers for women?
Simply put, women have a better driving record than men. According to Home Office statistics released in 2004, men are responsible for nine times as many motoring offences as women. Indeed men are guilty of a staggering 97 per cent of dangerous driving offences and 94 per cent of accidents causing death or bodily harm.
Admittedly, statistics are skewed in favour of women in that men drive more miles on average and more men drive overall – meaning there are more opportunities to be involved in an accident.
Nevertheless, the statistics are overwhelming – men tend to drive more powerful cars and take more risks behind the wheel. Consequently they are a bigger risk to insurers and as such a number of female-only car insurance providers have emerged which state they can offer savings to women due to the lower risk they present and the fewer number of claims they have to pay out on.
Which companies provide women`s car insurance?
There are several companies in the UK that provide women`s car insurance as an option but actually offer quotes to anyone. These include More Than, which includes priority assistance for females in emergencies, female-friendly repairers, a mobile phone locator and both handbag and shopping cover among its options.
However, there are several insurers that specifically target females, and while men can insure with these providers too, all of their promotion is aimed at women drivers. These include:
• Diamond – Options include a courtesy car, handbag cover and the option to add a partner on to a policy.
• Ladybird – Features include discounts for first-time insurers, a courtesy car and breakdown cover discounts.
• Sheila`s Wheels – Includes handbag cover; a courtesy car; and female-friendly repairers.
How to choose the right car insurer
Do not fall into the trap of assuming that these specialist providers are always the cheapest. Even though their incentives are appealing, they do necessarily offer the most value for money.
For example, in 2008 a price comparison website found that a 30-year-old woman driving a Renault Megane, Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra would pay an average of £269 through a female-only provider – but could find a quote for as little as £174 elsewhere.
The key is to shop around using a comparison website to compare quotes and policies from multiple car insurance companies. Think about which policy options are important to you. It could be that one of the specialist providers is the cheapest – but if not, you may be willing to pay more to secure the female-focused incentives they offer.
How to make a car insurance claim
If you are involved in an accident you should inform your insurer straight away - most have a dedicated 24hr claims helpline. Ask what evidence it requires to support your claim as it may be necessary to take photographs of the damage or provide witness contact details. You should always hold on to any receipts or correspondence relating to the claim. Remember that Cheap womens` insurance may not always be adequate – it`s best to find a policy that provides the right level of cover for your needs, even if it does cost a little more.
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