Research warns people over car insurance

Bad driving habits could cost people money on their car insurance premiums, a study has suggested.

A study released today (July 26th) has shown that many drivers in the UK are endangering their car insurance policies by taking unnecessary risks while at the wheel.

According to the Co-operative, more than half (54 per cent) of the country's drivers are regularly putting their annual insurance and personal health in danger through various irresponsible driving habits.

The most common risk people take is eating and drinking, but many also admitted to smoking, talking on a mobile phone, putting on make up and getting dressed or organising themselves for meetings while on their way to work.

Should an accident occur when a driver is taking one of these risks, the terms of their breakdown car cover may not be enough to save them from incurring the cost of higher insurance premiums in future, Grant Mitchell, function leader at the Co-operative, has said.

Meanwhile, the Association of British Insurers revealed last week that some £410 million worth of false car insurance claims were made in the UK throughout 2009.

By Kate Guthrie