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Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tis the season to be pragmatic
This year I’ve had both my boyfriend and my father on the telephone practically pleading that I only buy them something “useful”.
I don’t think dad has any idea just how crushing it is to be told that he doesn’t actually like marmalade when it’s garnished his main present for the past three years.
And would you believe that my boyfriend actually implored me not to buy him anything “decorative or superfluous”? Just get me something I really need, he said.
Well, if you want to make Christmas all about what is useful or necessary, I replied, why don’t I just renew your car insurance cover for you? Would that be helpful?
Oh yes, he said, that was just his line of thinking.
Well, darling, I have news for you, if you were a woman driver, this might be possible, but since you’re a man, you don’t qualify for cheap car insurance like I do, so how about a new throw for your sofa, I’m sure you’d like that instead.
Image © sillie.smile via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cheap car insurance, woman driver
Monday, December 20, 2010
Listen to the weather this winter
Ever wondered why women get cheaper car insurance than men? Well, it’s all to do with the risk algorithms used by insurance companies and, quite frankly, we’re lower risk.
Of course, this does not mean that every woman is a safer driver than every man, but it does at least mean that, as a general rule, a woman driver can be more safely underwritten than her male counterpart.
This cold snap we’re all experiencing at the moment is a good example of why there is this gender disparity. According to the Highways Agency, women are far more likely than men to abide by winter weather warnings.
Yes, whereas 62% of men say they would carry on with a journey regardless of a severe winter weather warnings, only 44% of women said they would ignore the scientific premonitions of meteorologists.
A spokesperson from the Highways Agency had sage words for both men and women when he said, "Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for winter. The last thing you want is to be stuck on a cold, wet or windy motorway hard shoulder. If bad weather arrives, slow down and adapt your driving to suit the conditions. Keep up to date by listening to the travel news while you are on the road, and if conditions get too bad find a safe place to break your journey until the weather improves."
Good advice, I think. There’s no reason why bad weather should bring the country to a standstill, but we should all listen to advice, regardless of our gender. Reckless drivers make for riskier roads and more expensive motor insurance policies, not something any of us want.
Of course, this does not mean that every woman is a safer driver than every man, but it does at least mean that, as a general rule, a woman driver can be more safely underwritten than her male counterpart.
This cold snap we’re all experiencing at the moment is a good example of why there is this gender disparity. According to the Highways Agency, women are far more likely than men to abide by winter weather warnings.
Yes, whereas 62% of men say they would carry on with a journey regardless of a severe winter weather warnings, only 44% of women said they would ignore the scientific premonitions of meteorologists.A spokesperson from the Highways Agency had sage words for both men and women when he said, "Make sure you and your vehicle are ready for winter. The last thing you want is to be stuck on a cold, wet or windy motorway hard shoulder. If bad weather arrives, slow down and adapt your driving to suit the conditions. Keep up to date by listening to the travel news while you are on the road, and if conditions get too bad find a safe place to break your journey until the weather improves."
Good advice, I think. There’s no reason why bad weather should bring the country to a standstill, but we should all listen to advice, regardless of our gender. Reckless drivers make for riskier roads and more expensive motor insurance policies, not something any of us want.
Image © suvodeb via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cheaper car insurance, women drivers
Friday, December 17, 2010
Baby, you can park my car, then I might be impressed
“Oooh, look how confidently and neatly he fits his car into that little space,” is, alas, not something I think I will ever hear anyone say about my husband.
It is, also, I can safely say, not a sentiment I have ever felt. Perhaps if it was, I would have married someone cool and efficient rather than the bumbling eccentric I have by my side. In my marriage, I’m the one who is the expert at manoeuvring in and out of tight parking spaces.
But, it would seem I might soon be in a minority, if a survey by Halfords is anything to go by.
The retailer found that 46% of women say the most impressive thing about a man behind the wheel is the way he can manoeuvre his car into a tight parking space.
Already, I’m sceptical.
Personally, I find it impressive these days if a man can find the windscreen washer bottle under the bonnet.
And, in a further sure sign that gender driving stereotypes still abound, men say the thing that most annoys them about women drivers is the time it takes for them to get in or out of a parking space.
But, it would seem I might soon be in a minority, if a survey by Halfords is anything to go by.
The retailer found that 46% of women say the most impressive thing about a man behind the wheel is the way he can manoeuvre his car into a tight parking space.
Already, I’m sceptical.
Personally, I find it impressive these days if a man can find the windscreen washer bottle under the bonnet.
And, in a further sure sign that gender driving stereotypes still abound, men say the thing that most annoys them about women drivers is the time it takes for them to get in or out of a parking space.
Image © SNappa2006 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Friday, December 10, 2010
Super car for a super star
What do you tend to buy men for their birthdays? A little gadget, socks, that new game they wanted – probably something along those lines.
For some of us, guys aren’t that easy to buy for. Often, the gift you know they’d most want to receive would set you back two pay cheques, because it’s a piece of expensive tech or a bungee jump in Australia.
Well, for some women, buying such things isn’t a problem. Beyonce has bought Jay-Z the fastest road-legal car in the world for his birthday – and it only set her back £1.3 million.
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport goes from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds and at its fastest will travel at speeds of 255mph.
Jay-Z already owns an impressive fleet of super-cars, and is likely to be very pleased with this addition to his collection. Thanks, Beyonce, for showing all our gifts up! The men are never going to settle for a Simpsons tie now after Jay-Z gets a sleek, speedy vehicle like the Grand Sport.
Can’t help but wonder what the annual premium on that car is though and an automobile which goes from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds wouldn’t be much use in London, where speeds crawl along at 10 to 20mph most days. Yes, that’s the excuse we’ll give them – it was impractical for London, so I got you this torch key-ring instead. Enjoy!
For some of us, guys aren’t that easy to buy for. Often, the gift you know they’d most want to receive would set you back two pay cheques, because it’s a piece of expensive tech or a bungee jump in Australia.
Well, for some women, buying such things isn’t a problem. Beyonce has bought Jay-Z the fastest road-legal car in the world for his birthday – and it only set her back £1.3 million.
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport goes from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds and at its fastest will travel at speeds of 255mph.
Can’t help but wonder what the annual premium on that car is though and an automobile which goes from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds wouldn’t be much use in London, where speeds crawl along at 10 to 20mph most days. Yes, that’s the excuse we’ll give them – it was impractical for London, so I got you this torch key-ring instead. Enjoy!
Image © cmonville via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tickled pink and safer than you might think
The thinking behind this is likely to be that the brighter the motor, the more conspicuous the vehicle is when police are looking for it. Red, yellow, purple and orange cars are also very rarely stolen for the same reason.
As well as this, darker, more sober looking cars make up the greatest percentage of cars sold, so there are more of them about to steal.
So, statistics would indicate that the brighter the car, the safer it is – from thieves anyway. However, if everyone latches on to this idea and sales of colourful vehicles increase then maybe thieves won’t be so worried about standing out in a vibrant car, and having a black, blue, silver or grey one will be the better option.
If your car’s colour isn’t mentioned here then all you can do is judge for yourself. Is it bright? Be honest. Do people in the street watch as you drive past? Yes? Then it would appear that your car is relatively safe from car theft for now.
Image © pinkiwinkitinki via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Friday, December 3, 2010
Mr Brand new life
This particular celebrity will never have any need for ladies’ car insurance – because he’s a man – but he has certainly been interested by the ladies in the past.
In times gone by this comedian was seen as a lovingly dishonourable bachelor by many. Now, Russell Brand is not only a reformed character, having settled down with wife Katy Perry, but is reportedly learning to drive in California’s car of choice for many stars, the Toyota Prius, which is fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly.
Well done Mr. Brand for the fantastic turn-around. Saving face and fighting climate change in one fell swoop.
California is sunnier than the UK most times of the year, and this winter is likely to be no exception, so Russell is probably having a lovely time on the roads, while over in Britain we drive through slush and the grey sky hangs above us all until spring.
It’s alright for some.
Well done Mr. Brand for the fantastic turn-around. Saving face and fighting climate change in one fell swoop.
California is sunnier than the UK most times of the year, and this winter is likely to be no exception, so Russell is probably having a lovely time on the roads, while over in Britain we drive through slush and the grey sky hangs above us all until spring.
It’s alright for some.
Image © mercedesfromtheeighties via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence