Insurer NFU Mutual is providing 1,000 car and light goods vehicle customers with free two-hour personalised driving confidence sessions worth £150 each, to support customers as they take to the roads following the easing of lockdown.
The sessions are delivered by advanced driving instructors from Drive Doctors and are tailored to the specific needs of the driver. NFU Mutual and Drive Doctors have been successfully providing driving confidence sessions as part of the insurers’ Young Drivers’ Scheme for seven years, helping over 3,000 drivers.
If the sessions are in demand from other driver groups, the insurer is considering providing them to all car and light goods vehicle customer groups as an optional add-on service as part of its insurance product offering in the future.
Nearly half (45%) of 2,000 drivers surveyed by NFU Mutual showed an interest in having a driving confidence session. The highest proportion (39%) went on to say they would most welcome training on how to use their vehicle in an emergency situation, such as skidding on ice.
Jade Devlin, motor insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Unfortunately there can be some degree of stigma attached to being a less confident driver which means for many it is a hidden problem. Our research shows a motorist’s confidence can be knocked for a whole host of reasons from past collisions to less frequent driving and the type of roads used, and with lockdown easing drivers are facing unique concerns. We hope the 1,000 free Drive Doctors sessions will go some way to boost confidence and help prevent accidents. We’re expecting high demand and if so, we’ll be looking at what more we can do to help make roads safer for everyone.”
NFU Mutual has also provided complimentary home and national recovery RAC breakdown cover to 600,000 car and light goods vehicle customers for nearly a year to support customers with flat battery breakdowns and keep key workers on the roads through the pandemic. First introduced 22nd May 2020, the cover has been extended to 30 June 2021.
An increase in road collisions is predicted following easing of lockdown:
Based on claims trends following previous UK lockdowns, the insurer NFU Mutual is predicting a sharp increase in accidents from next week when self-contained holiday accommodation lets, non-essential retail, personal care, outdoor hospitality and indoor leisure venues are scheduled to open to the public on April 12th.
Claims to NFU Mutual for car accidents increased sharply by 22% over the late May Bank Holiday last year, shortly after lockdown was eased on May 11. Car accident claims also increased by 12% over the Christmas period compared with previous weeks.
The prediction comes as 1 in 4 drivers state they are feeling nervous about making long journeys once lockdown restrictions are lifted. Of 2,000 drivers surveyed by NFU Mutual, 37% said they are planning to drive somewhere to go on holiday in the UK once lockdown restrictions allow it, equating to more than 12 million drivers taking to the roads for at least one holiday.
Alarmingly, the most nervous driving groups are also those taking to the UK’s roads to staycation in the highest numbers. Post-lockdown nervousness is most pronounced amongst younger or less experienced drivers and out-of-practice Londoners, and the majority have either already booked their holidays or are planning to. Nearly two thirds of drivers aged 18-34 (63%) and more than half of Londoners who drive (53%) will be taking to the roads for a UK getaway this year.
NFU Mutual’s Jade Devlin, continued: “While uncertainty remains on whether European holidays are on the cards, our research shows that millions will be taking to the UK’s roads for holidays from next week when lockdown eases. Where easing has happened in 2020 we’ve received sharp surges in reported car accidents with roads getting busier very quickly and drivers taking their first long distance drives for a while. We’re sadly expecting the same from 12th April when many venues and holiday lets start opening up, so would urge drivers to take care on the roads.”
A previous study by NFU Mutual during November 2020 also found that an astounding 42% of UK drivers have suffered a collision and 36% have had a near miss. Of these, over half (55%) said it has affected their confidence.
Existing and new NFU Mutual customers can enter for their chance to win free driving confidence sessions via the NFU Mutual website: www.nfumutual.co.uk/prizedraw
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