- Does the Queen have to pay for car insurance?
- A useful SpareOne
- A boot up the rear
- From A to B on autopilot
- Tiny pothole gardens
- Impatient Porsche driver’s costly mistake
- Big car and small spaces
- Find your way home with Homer
- Car roof calamity
- The UK’s youngest ever female instructor
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- October 2009
- November 2009
- December 2009
- January 2010
- February 2010
- March 2010
- April 2010
- May 2010
- June 2010
- July 2010
- August 2010
- September 2010
- October 2010
- November 2010
- December 2010
- January 2011
- February 2011
- March 2011
- April 2011
- May 2011
- June 2011
- July 2011
- August 2011
- September 2011
- October 2011
- November 2011
- December 2011
- January 2012
- February 2012
- March 2012
OTHER INSURANCE SITES
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Friday, March 16, 2012
Does the Queen have to pay for car insurance?
Does the Queen have to pay for car insurance like rest of us women? I don’t know – does she know even? Does she have someone who sorts all these things out for her?
I can’t exactly imagine her sitting down at her computer and going through the various car insurance comparison websites – she is, after all, no ordinary woman driver.
One thing we can be sure of is that the Queen has had plenty of vehicles in her lifetime – expensive ones.
Now, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, we’re going to be allowed to see them. It should be pretty interesting, that’s if you can find the time to head to the Sussex Downs for summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
They’ll be plenty to see: limousines, working cars, personal cars, family cars, planes, horse-drawn vehicles, and even toy cars, presumably once the property of young William and Harry.
But does the Queen have to pay for car insurance? Does the Queen get to vote in a general election? Does the Queen have a passport? Does the Queen get a pension? Does she sign autographs? Does she cook her own meals?
I know the answers to none of these questions, but I’m going to work incredibly hard to get an MBE, if only so have the opportunity to ask. But even then, I still might not know.
I can’t exactly imagine her sitting down at her computer and going through the various car insurance comparison websites – she is, after all, no ordinary woman driver.
One thing we can be sure of is that the Queen has had plenty of vehicles in her lifetime – expensive ones.
Now, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, we’re going to be allowed to see them. It should be pretty interesting, that’s if you can find the time to head to the Sussex Downs for summer's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
They’ll be plenty to see: limousines, working cars, personal cars, family cars, planes, horse-drawn vehicles, and even toy cars, presumably once the property of young William and Harry.
But does the Queen have to pay for car insurance? Does the Queen get to vote in a general election? Does the Queen have a passport? Does the Queen get a pension? Does she sign autographs? Does she cook her own meals?
I know the answers to none of these questions, but I’m going to work incredibly hard to get an MBE, if only so have the opportunity to ask. But even then, I still might not know.
Photo © king_david_uk via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: autographs, car insurance, comparison websites, cook her own meals, does the queen get to vote in a general election, passport, pension, woman driver, women
Monday, March 12, 2012
A useful SpareOne
If we told you that a new mobile phone would be appearing on the UK market this month and that all it did was make and receive calls – you might not be very impressed.
But wait! Don’t be so quick to judge!
This phone, called SpareOne, runs on a single AA battery and stays charged for about 15 years.
It has been designed by XPAL Power to be a back-up mobile phone kept in the glove compartment of a car in case of emergencies.
Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having no battery left on your mobile. No problem, if you have the SpareOne!
“It’s essentially designed to make and receive the most important calls, no matter what,” stated an XPAL Power spokesperson.
It sounds to us like this is yet another piece of very useful emergency kit to have in your car. A quick ‘will you be buying one?’ around the office makes a lot of heads nod.
We wouldn’t be surprised if breakdown companies start listing these handy mobiles as something that every motorists should have somewhere in their vehicle, just in case.
If you’re interested, the phone will be on sale in Britain on the 15th of March and will cost £60.
But wait! Don’t be so quick to judge! This phone, called SpareOne, runs on a single AA battery and stays charged for about 15 years.
It has been designed by XPAL Power to be a back-up mobile phone kept in the glove compartment of a car in case of emergencies.
Imagine being stranded in the middle of nowhere and having no battery left on your mobile. No problem, if you have the SpareOne!
“It’s essentially designed to make and receive the most important calls, no matter what,” stated an XPAL Power spokesperson.
It sounds to us like this is yet another piece of very useful emergency kit to have in your car. A quick ‘will you be buying one?’ around the office makes a lot of heads nod.
We wouldn’t be surprised if breakdown companies start listing these handy mobiles as something that every motorists should have somewhere in their vehicle, just in case.
If you’re interested, the phone will be on sale in Britain on the 15th of March and will cost £60.
Photo © akbarici via photobucket
Labels: AA battery, breakdown, calls, car, charged, emergencies, emergency kit, glove compartment, mobile phone, SpareOne, UK, vehicle, XPAL Power
Friday, March 9, 2012
A boot up the rear
If you were in a car park about to head off to do some shopping or had just returned with bags of sale items and you saw someone kick the back bumper of their car, you might think they were angry about something.
In many cases this assumption might be correct, but not if the car they’re kicking is a Ford Kuga.
Ford has designed this vehicle with a hands-free boot opening system, which operates by kicking a button on the underside of the rear bumper.
This way, motorist with their hands laden with bags of shopping can open the boot without having to set everything down on the tarmac first.
We really like the sound of this clever little feature. It’s great for when you go food shopping and clothes shopping. Furthermore, if you have any pets that go in the boot in a cage when you’re going from A to B, this kick-open boot may once again come in handy.
We’re not sure we could afford this car, but perhaps other manufacturers will start using the same tech on their vehicle boots soon. We’ve got our fingers crossed!
In many cases this assumption might be correct, but not if the car they’re kicking is a Ford Kuga. Ford has designed this vehicle with a hands-free boot opening system, which operates by kicking a button on the underside of the rear bumper.
This way, motorist with their hands laden with bags of shopping can open the boot without having to set everything down on the tarmac first.
We really like the sound of this clever little feature. It’s great for when you go food shopping and clothes shopping. Furthermore, if you have any pets that go in the boot in a cage when you’re going from A to B, this kick-open boot may once again come in handy.
We’re not sure we could afford this car, but perhaps other manufacturers will start using the same tech on their vehicle boots soon. We’ve got our fingers crossed!
Photo © StuBez via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: back bumper, bags, boot, button, car, car park, designed, Ford Kuga, kick, manufacturers, motorist, opening, rear bumper, shopping, tarmac, vehicle
Monday, March 5, 2012
From A to B on autopilot
Have you ever driven somewhere you didn’t mean to drive to, like your office, or reached your destination without any memory of making the journey?
Well, worryingly, according to new research which was undertaken by a car insurance company, a lot of motorists have done these things and it means that many of us aren’t paying attention to the road.
Reportedly, drivers making a long journey ‘turn off’ mentally after just 11 minutes behind the wheel, completing the rest of the trip on autopilot without really taking note of the highway around them.
A spokesperson for the insurer stated, "Advances in technology have revolutionised the way we keep our brains stimulated. We all love playing with our gadgets but as this study shows this can become problematic when we get behind the wheel.
"Even on a short journey it is important for all motorists to focus on the road ahead and not let technology withdrawal systems get the better of them whilst driving."
Some of the motorists surveyed for this research also admitted to switching to autopilot while in control of a vehicle because they were tired or thinking about work.
Our advice is, if you’re tired or have a lot on your mind, why not use public transport or get a lift off someone? It will reduce your risk of suffering a car accident, and it’s nice to have a little break from driving once in a while.
Well, worryingly, according to new research which was undertaken by a car insurance company, a lot of motorists have done these things and it means that many of us aren’t paying attention to the road.
Reportedly, drivers making a long journey ‘turn off’ mentally after just 11 minutes behind the wheel, completing the rest of the trip on autopilot without really taking note of the highway around them.
A spokesperson for the insurer stated, "Advances in technology have revolutionised the way we keep our brains stimulated. We all love playing with our gadgets but as this study shows this can become problematic when we get behind the wheel.
"Even on a short journey it is important for all motorists to focus on the road ahead and not let technology withdrawal systems get the better of them whilst driving."
Some of the motorists surveyed for this research also admitted to switching to autopilot while in control of a vehicle because they were tired or thinking about work.
Our advice is, if you’re tired or have a lot on your mind, why not use public transport or get a lift off someone? It will reduce your risk of suffering a car accident, and it’s nice to have a little break from driving once in a while.
Photo © miguelphotobooth via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: autopilot, car accident, car insurance, destination, drive, driven, driving, highway, insurer, journey, motorist, public transport, road, trip, vehicle, wheel
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tiny pothole gardens
We never thought we’d say this – but we’re starting to really like potholes, sort of.
Don’t worry, we haven’t gone completely insane!
Thanks to keen cyclist, 35-year-old Steve Wheen, a lot of Londoners have a new found appreciation for the holes which are usually nothing more than the bane of motorists’ lives.
It’s all because Mr Wheen, who is a gardener as well as a cyclist, has been filling potholes around the city with flowers, greenery, and sometimes tiny garden furniture too.
These mini gardens have been brightening up many a driver, rider, and pedestrian’s journey, and have succeeded in making us see a pothole and smile. A miracle!
Of course, it’s unlikely that this pothole gardener will be able to decorate the estimated three million gaps in the UK’s roads, and it would be nice if councils just filled them in so that drivers didn’t have to worry about ruining their vehicle’s suspension, but while the potholes remain it’s nice, from an aesthetic point of view.
However, although they’re bringing a bit of colour to London’s streets, are they safe? They could distract drivers.
Don’t worry, we haven’t gone completely insane!Thanks to keen cyclist, 35-year-old Steve Wheen, a lot of Londoners have a new found appreciation for the holes which are usually nothing more than the bane of motorists’ lives.
It’s all because Mr Wheen, who is a gardener as well as a cyclist, has been filling potholes around the city with flowers, greenery, and sometimes tiny garden furniture too.
These mini gardens have been brightening up many a driver, rider, and pedestrian’s journey, and have succeeded in making us see a pothole and smile. A miracle!
Of course, it’s unlikely that this pothole gardener will be able to decorate the estimated three million gaps in the UK’s roads, and it would be nice if councils just filled them in so that drivers didn’t have to worry about ruining their vehicle’s suspension, but while the potholes remain it’s nice, from an aesthetic point of view.
However, although they’re bringing a bit of colour to London’s streets, are they safe? They could distract drivers.
Photo © AnnieGreenSprings via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cyclist, driver, fill, flowers, gardener, gardens, greenery, London, motorists, pedestrian, potholes, rider, road, Steve Wheen, street, suspension, vehicle
Monday, February 27, 2012
Impatient Porsche driver’s costly mistake
If you were the proud owner of a Porsche you’d probably take really great care of it, since it’s such an expensive vehicle.
Moreover, hopefully, owning such a fancy car wouldn’t go straight to your head and make you forget you’re a normal human being just like everyone else and have no special right of way on the roads.
Well, one motorist in San Francisco did forget how to be a considerate driver, and it led to him suffering a great deal of embarrassment and most likely cost him a lot of money in vehicle repairs too.
Travelling along in his Porsche, the road user came across some waiting traffic, and, deciding that he didn’t have to wait with everyone else, overtook the queue.
He found himself stuck in wet cement.
Yes, by jumping the line, which was probably for temporary traffic lights or a diversion, he drove his expensive car into a road maintenance site.
Workers immediately got to work trying to free the car before the cement set, while the motorist sat in the car with a red face and hoping that the cement wouldn’t leak into the car’s interior.
Eventually the vehicle was freed, however it’s likely that the impatient driver will have to spend quite a lot of money replacing most of the car’s undercarriage.
He’ll be more careful in the future – hopefully.
Moreover, hopefully, owning such a fancy car wouldn’t go straight to your head and make you forget you’re a normal human being just like everyone else and have no special right of way on the roads.Well, one motorist in San Francisco did forget how to be a considerate driver, and it led to him suffering a great deal of embarrassment and most likely cost him a lot of money in vehicle repairs too.
Travelling along in his Porsche, the road user came across some waiting traffic, and, deciding that he didn’t have to wait with everyone else, overtook the queue.
He found himself stuck in wet cement.
Yes, by jumping the line, which was probably for temporary traffic lights or a diversion, he drove his expensive car into a road maintenance site.
Workers immediately got to work trying to free the car before the cement set, while the motorist sat in the car with a red face and hoping that the cement wouldn’t leak into the car’s interior.
Eventually the vehicle was freed, however it’s likely that the impatient driver will have to spend quite a lot of money replacing most of the car’s undercarriage.
He’ll be more careful in the future – hopefully.
Photo © Manik. Via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, considerate, driver, expensive, money, motorist, Porsche, repairs, right or way, road, San Francisco, traffic, undercarriage, vehicle, wet cement
Friday, February 24, 2012
Big car and small spaces
It’s irritating enough going from shop to shop and feeling penalised when trousers that are labelled as being the same size fit in one shop but are too small for you in another.
Well, now there’s a similar problem being suffered by motorists parking in spaces provided by councils.
Fines are being issued to drivers who have parked their car in a bay that is too narrow or too short to fit their vehicle in correctly.
Now, this is all for the good of the road network, since cars overlapping onto the road could cause an accident, but there are two problems.
One – cars are reportedly 16% wider than they were four decades ago.
And two – different councils have different views of what being too big for a parking space entails.
Some councils feel that if the entire car is not within the markings, then it is too big, others feel that as long as the vehicle’s wheels are within the lines, all is well.
Until they all decide on one all-encompassing set of rules, motorists will remain confused and keep getting fines they thought they were safe from.
Very annoying. Now please excuse me – I need to drive into town to exchange these tiny trousers. Grrrr.
Well, now there’s a similar problem being suffered by motorists parking in spaces provided by councils. Fines are being issued to drivers who have parked their car in a bay that is too narrow or too short to fit their vehicle in correctly.
Now, this is all for the good of the road network, since cars overlapping onto the road could cause an accident, but there are two problems.
One – cars are reportedly 16% wider than they were four decades ago.
And two – different councils have different views of what being too big for a parking space entails.
Some councils feel that if the entire car is not within the markings, then it is too big, others feel that as long as the vehicle’s wheels are within the lines, all is well.
Until they all decide on one all-encompassing set of rules, motorists will remain confused and keep getting fines they thought they were safe from.
Very annoying. Now please excuse me – I need to drive into town to exchange these tiny trousers. Grrrr.
Photo © paulswansen via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: accident, bay, car, council, drive, driver, fine, motorists, narrow, parked, parking, road network, safe, short, size, spaces, vehicle