Covergirl Car Insurance

American woman set to battle the boys in Nascar

2012-01-30T01:06:00.000-08:00

There’s to be no fooling around when the female racing sensation Courtney Force takes to the track in a Funny Car this year.

As the daughter of Nascar superstar John Force, Courtney has grown up with little else on her mind but breaking the mould as a professional racer.

As if the inspiration of achieving a podium place wasn’t enough, Force has also had to put up with the derogatory attitude of her fellow racers, most of whom are male.

Ms Force said, “Now I get my own 8,000hp, 300mph Ford, I can’t wait to start beating up on the boys.”

The first opportunity to step out of her dad’s shadow will come at the Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals in California, on the 9th of February.

This prestigious race has previously been won by Force’s teammate Robert Hight and Jason Line.

John Force said, “She’s kind of an extrovert, ready to attack and go after the boys, knowing they were going to beat her up. She’s ready.”

Ladies car insurance policyholders will be keeping their fingers crossed that Courtney Force and Formula One hopeful Danica Patrick will finally dispel the myth that women can’t reach the racing heights.

Photo © cole24 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Titanic car to go on show

2012-01-27T01:11:00.000-08:00

The Titanic movie was once vehemently attacked by film critic Mark Kermode for appealing solely pandering to the emotions of teenage girls. It is highly doubtful whether the self-proclaimed ‘doctor of film’ will get so worked up about the interest garnered by the exhibition of the Titanic ‘Ghost’.

This magnificent vehicle was built for the Harland and Wolf Chairman Lord Pirrie 101 years ago. It has a charm and elegance which has drawn oohs and aahs from men and women of various ages and tastes.

It is bound to be the greatest attraction at the County Down Vintage Car Show, which is also set to feature the exhibition of a Derby Bentley and grand old Morris Minor.

One of the event organisers said, “This car has a unique link to a special time and place in our history and we are thrilled to be able to bring it back to Northern Ireland in this year when so much attention will be focussed on the Titanic.

“I'm sure visitors to the show will find themselves transported back in time by the experience. You can just imagine Lord Pirrie driving to the shipyard in this Rolls Royce to check on the progress of the great ship.”

It is only hoped that the present owners of this valuable collector’s item have guarded against fate by investing in comprehensive car insurance.

Photo © meikel_nai via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Live updates from Google Maps

2012-01-23T01:03:00.000-08:00

Google Maps is quite useful when it comes to estimating journey times, miles, and petrol costs, but if you’re giving your car a rest, don’t fancy walking, and think there might be train delays, what do you do?

Well Google has teamed up with thetrainline.com and released a new route planner which has live updates and information about 170,000 rail timetables, 2,500 rail stations, 8,000 bus stop timetables, and 250 London Underground stations.

It works the same way as before, but now there’s a lot more information so planning a journey is easier and you’re less likely to be late to your destination.

The release of this improved route planner has been timed to coincide with the impending arrival of visitors for the London Olympics.

The chairman of VisitBritain stated, "We want to encourage visitors to explore the whole of Britain. With the Olympics less than 200 days away Google's initiative is exciting news.

“Millions of visitors plan their itinerary using Google Maps and this additional information will act as a catalyst and inspire them to discover all that is wonderful about our great country."

Well we look forward to using the new live updates on Google Maps and we hope all of the Olympics visitors enjoy the games and their stay.

Photo © engineroomblog via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Motorway moggy

2012-01-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it can feel like you’ve been on the motorway for an eternity – especially if there are traffic jams slowing you down.

However, usually we’re not actually on the highway for as long as we think and we can always pop into motorway services along the way for a break – unlike a cat that recently made some news reports.

The poor over-adventurous feline found its way up the 50 foot high concrete feet of an M4 road sign, but couldn’t get back down again.

It was stuck for 24 hours next to the busy motorway before traffic officers coaxed the cat back down to safety using a crane lift and some cat food.

Despite its ordeal, rescuers could tell that the cat was well looked after, and the RSPCA managed to return the moggy to its owners.

If I was that cat, I’d just stick to climbing onto the back of the sofa from now on.

Photo © Red Junasun via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Women are better drivers than men – Fact!

2012-01-16T00:51:00.000-08:00

We all have an opinion on the long-standing myth that men are better drivers than women, so you will be pleased to hear that conclusive evidence has at last emerged to prove what we knew all along – women actually are the superior motorists.

An American insurance quote provider has released the new study ‘Women are bad drivers – fact or fiction?’ which compares traffic accident, violation and insurance price statistics between men and women to dispel the notion that women are bad drivers.

The results of the study have found that 80% of car accidents involving serious or fatal injuries are in fact caused by male drivers. It also reveals that women are 27% less likely to cause a road traffic accident than men.

Plus, you will be pleased to hear that the study confirmed that the number of traffic violations (motoring offences) is also higher for male drivers in every possible category than for women. These include reckless driving, speeding, seat belt violations and the more serious legal matters such as driving while intoxicated.

So, at last we can show once and for all that women are the better drivers! Whether due to their high testosterone, higher tendency to take risks or higher levels of aggression, the fact now remains – men make more mistakes behind the wheel than women. Well, in America anyway!

Photo © Steven-L-Johnson via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Is James Bond all cars and girls?

2012-01-13T01:15:00.000-08:00

I had always avoided watching James Bond films after writing them off as a man’s fantasy flick, full of semi-clad girls, fast cars and ridiculous gadgets. However, my own interest in the Bond phenomena was sparked when I saw a billboard advert featuring the latest 007 star wearing nothing but a very tiny pair of swim shorts. I decided then that it was high time I got to grips with James Bond myself!

As Britain goes into Bond frenzy, celebrating 50 years since Sean Connery first graced our screens as the archetypal 007, now seems a better time than any. So, I’ve committed myself to an education in all things Bond by watching all 23 of the films.

I’m currently on the 4th movie and already I can see why men love this character, he is the epitome of cool; a suave, sophisticated and well-dressed man driving flash cars and dating attractive girls.

With each chapter in the Bond saga, the girls get more exotic and the names more far-fetched. I mean who would name their daughter Honey Rider, Pussy Galore or Mary Goodnight? The same could be said for the cars which get as extravagant and seductive as the women who join Bond’s adventures, from Aston Martins and Lotus Esprits to BMW sportscars and the Vanquish.

So, maybe I haven’t quite caught the Bond bug yet, but I’ve got another 19 films to go and of course there is still the infamous Daniel Craig beach scene to look forward to!

Photo © johanoomen via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Bottom-print car security

2012-01-09T00:59:00.000-08:00

Japanese scientists from Tokyo's Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology have come up with an amusing idea that some drivers might not be so keen on for a variety of reasons.

Apparently our bottoms are as unique to us as our fingerprints, so naturally researchers have created a chair pressure sensor which scans the seated person’s behind in order to check who they are…

Using 360 sensors to make a 3D image of the – ehem – rear, the chair can identify the individual who is sat on it with 98% accuracy.

Apparently the scientists believe that the chair could replace the need to use computer passwords in offices and also render car keys obsolete as soon as 2014.

We have a few questions – what happens when you have something in your back pocket, or have gained or lost some weight? And more importantly – what can be done about the 2% failure rate?

We’re not sure that we want to sit in our car, having just squeezed into some skinny jeans, for our car to tell us we’re not the owner of our own vehicle.

Photo © fazen via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Maybe exercise isn’t so good after all!

2012-01-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

Some days I feel guilty about using my car when I could just as easily walk to where I need to be. After all those Christmas meals, drinks and treats I had, there’s no avoiding the fact that it’s about time I shape up and try a do a bit more exercise.

However, according to a new report I might actually be wrong. It has been claimed that over-exercising can make people six times more likely to catch flu.

Ok, so this is only thought to be a risk to keen sports people who run marathons and engage themselves in gruelling gym sessions on a daily basis, but the study, which was conducted at Loughborough University, hasn’t exactly done much to encourage me to begin a new exercise plan.

Unfortunately for me, a Professor has also stated that a brisk walk once a day should help to keep colds at bay.

Oh well, it looks like I ought to be leaving the car in garage after all!

Photo © _PaulS_ via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Award fails to panda to critics

2012-01-03T00:53:00.000-08:00

“Outrage!” “Scandal!” “Travesty!” “Misogyny!” These were just some of the reactions to the BBC’s decision to include a panda in its list of nominees for 2011 “woman” face of the year.

Pippa Middleton (more accustomed to being in derriere of the year lists) and Adele (more familiar to voice of the year awards) were just two of the remaining eleven nominees.

Among those to express their disgust that a panda should be included in the list were John Prescott and MP Stella Creasy. The MP tweeted, "No offence to sweetie – sure a lovely panda and best in class etc, but clue is in title ‘women’ not 'female of the species' of the year ..."

Well, we at CoverGirl have determined that if you’re not ever likely to be eligible for womans car insurance, you probably should be considered ineligible for being awarded a woman of the year trophy, but then we listened to what the BBC had to say on the issue: "Including Sweetie (Tian Tian) as one of the annual headline makers was a light-hearted addition to the list, and this isn't the first time it has featured a non-human.”

So perhaps we’re not going to take the award’s list quite as seriously as we’d planned. Instead we’ll just say, “Well done, Sweetie… and nice mascara…”

Image © Joe Schlabotnik via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

The shortest double yellows

2011-12-30T01:52:00.000-08:00

Usually, double yellow lines stretch quite a few metres, or down an entire road, stopping you from parking where you desperately want to be able to.

However, some new double yellow lines in Stafford Street in Norwich won’t be much of a hindrance to motorists, because they’re only 17 inches (43cm) in length.

Located opposite a pub, the lines are long enough to stop four toy cars from parking up, but are unlikely to make much of a difference for real-size vehicles and their drivers.

The pub landlord stated, “I thought the country was skint – but it appears that people can still spend money on daft things like this. There just doesn't seem any point in having such short lines.

“It has caused a bit of mirth in the pub. Everyone thinks it is hilarious and we are looking forward to seeing if a traffic warden comes down here to monitor it.”

A Norwich city councillor said, “They were put down to make things clearer for permit holders, but in hindsight perhaps they weren't needed.

“As a councillor you are expected to do many things for residents but getting into the Guinness Book of Records for the shortest set of double yellow lines isn't one I anticipated.'

Well, at least not too much paint was wasted, and I’m sure the tiny double yellow stretch will bring laughter to all who see it.

Photo © cdsessums via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Keeping cosy in the car

2011-12-23T03:15:00.000-08:00

Getting into my car during the winter is tough. Yes, I’d much rather be in it than slipping and sliding down the pavement in the rain and slush, but when I first sit down it’s so cold!

At least when I walk I warm up pretty quickly, but when I’m sitting down, immobile, it takes me a good while longer to feel cosy.

One morning, recently, I sat in my car with the heater going for about ten minutes before my hands where warm enough to grip the steering wheel.

While I was sat there I wondered what I would feel like if my car broke down and couldn’t be reached by a breakdown service for a few hours. Without the heater on, how long would it be before I was suffering from hypothermia?

With that in mind, I have now got emergency supplies in my car, ready for such a situation. I have four of those heating pads that you click to begin a chemical reaction which produces heat, two blankets, a thermos flask which I fill with hot chocolate before any long journey, and Bun Bun (my toy rabbit don’t you dare laugh I love him).

All of these items, I feel, would help me through a long wait for rescue in relative comfort – although I’m hoping that I don’t ever have to find out.

I thoroughly recommend loading these sorts of emergency supplies in your car. Other useful things to have just in case are a torch, fully charged mobile phone, some ready-to-eat food, and water.

Good luck out there winter drivers.

Photo © possan via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Fake flock of sheep fool motorists into thinking they’re real

2011-12-19T01:04:00.000-08:00

Whenever I’m driving and I see a dog which is not on a lead, or a child skipping along the pavement, I’m always concerned that they might suddenly run into the road in front of my car.

However, some model sheep on a West Sussex roundabout seem have been raising the same concerns in other drivers. The fake flock apparently look so realistic that many motorists have slammed on their brakes in the fear that they have escaped from a field.

West Sussex County Council has already painted the sheep pale green in the hope that motorists will realise that they are fake, however, this has apparently not helped, and the next step has been to imprison the sheep with temporary road works barriers.

While the council work out a more permanent solution to the problem, drivers can feel reassured that the sheep will not be able to escape from their bright yellow compounds.

Hmm... Maybe they should consider painting them hot pink next time, or at least accessorise them with some bling so that they are obviously not real!

Photo © Martyn Hutchby via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Woman fails driving test after taking the plunge in Chile

2011-12-16T06:43:00.000-08:00

Everyone remembers their driving test. Whether you passed first time, or took a few more attempts to get your full driving licence, driving tests are distinctly memorable for anyone who has had the pleasure of undertaking one.

When I took my driving test, I was shaking with nerves. I desperately wanted to have free reign of the roads without the company with my driving instructor or my dad, but I was terrified that I would let myself down by doing something erratically stupid.

Fortunately, all went well and I received my pink driving licence in time for Christmas.

However, there is one woman in Chile who I don’t think will be able to celebrate becoming a fully qualified driver over the festive season.

The 35-year-old woman was taking her own nerve-wracking driving test when she misjudged a bend and landed the car in the Pacific Ocean. According to a report, the learner made the error of pushing the accelerator pedal instead of the break – consequently crashing through safety barriers and plunging into the sea.

With the help of a heroic passer-by, both the examiner and the woman managed to escape the submerged vehicle, reportedly only suffering a few minor injuries.

Well, my driving test was pretty uneventful compared to this!

Photo © Carlos Varela via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

An Italian hotel for thrill seekers

2011-12-12T01:08:00.000-08:00

On a cold wintery day I often take refuge by curling up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and watching a classic film such as The Italian Job. I love watching the minis performing gravity defying stunts and imagine myself one day having a starring role with my car in a blockbuster.

Mind you, that infamous ending scene where the bus hangs precariously on a mountain side always sends shivers down my spine. So when I heard that there is a hotel in Italy which boasts the same position, I couldn’t imagine that anyone would be gutsy enough to sleep in such a terrifying spot.

However, it would appear that this cabin is actually much safer than the original bus, and although it doesn’t contain tons of gold, it did cost the Italian Alpine Club £214,000 to develop. Adventurous climbers can now stay in the dwellings and look out at the astonishing surrounding views.

Needless to say, I’m not planning to visit the ambitious cabin anytime in the near future – I’m perfectly happy to watch the film version from the comfort of my very secure living room.

Photo © Gregory Moine via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Concept cars really do hold the key to the future

2011-12-09T04:01:00.000-08:00

I like looking at the newest concept car offerings which are often show-cased at, I believe, very overstated events. The incredible specifications, such as self drive settings and exteriors which can change colour, never cease to amaze me.

However, although I daydream about owning a car with such advanced features, it seems that these concept cars might be a truer indication of what the future hold than I first thought!

A 1969 concept car, which goes by the name of Holden’s Hurricane, has been put back on display at an event held in Melbourne. The flashy vehicle was originally unveiled 42 years ago in the same city when its features would have been seen as revolutionary.

The vehicle boasts a rear-view camera, digital displays and a primitive magnetic GPS system. Mind you, the car might be pretty difficult to find a car insurance quote for as it has been fitted with a 4.2 litre engine and a roof which lifts off entirely.

Finally, my dreams of a car which doubles as a dressing room might actually come true! Only time will tell.

Photo © ricardodiaz11 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Oily criminals thieving fuel

2011-12-05T01:10:00.000-08:00

Some people desperate to lower the costs of motoring have been thieving from takeaways and restaurants.

How could that save money car-wise, you may wonder.

Well, these thieves have converted their cars so that they run on cooking oil – and where else would you find cooking oil but in various hard-working premises which sell deep-fried foods?

Erm – the supermarket maybe?

It seems like a lot of bother to break or sneak into a building and risk a prison or community service sentence when you could just buy oil honestly in the local shops. It’s still much cheaper than buying petrol or diesel!

Apparently these types of crimes have been going on in America and Canada for a while, but now the illegal money-saving idea has crossed the pond and arrived in the UK.

I’m guessing that these motorists are the ones that are least likely to have bothered getting their vehicles insured too…

Photo © sashafatcat via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Using your loaf in a crash

2011-12-02T00:49:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we told you how you could save money on lunch by making an appetising toast sandwich (which we’re sure you all tried to great success).

This week we bring you the latest in car crash injury prevention technology – a loaf of bread.

One woman driver was lucky enough to have just been shopping when she suffered an accident after aquaplaning into a telegraph pole which flipped her car upside down.

Yes, we know this doesn’t sound very lucky at the moment.

The lucky part is that a loaf of bread she had in a shopping bag in the back seat flew forward and landed between her head and the roof of the car, so that her head was supported and cushioned until emergency crews managed to get her out.

She states, “For some reason, the airbags didn’t inflate so the loaf was the only cushion I had. It saved my life.

“I was trapped for almost an hour. During that time the loaf remained as a cushion and support for my head as I was upside-down.”

We think it’s important to add though, that although this woman was saved by her shopping, you should really put loose objects in the car boot or securely fix them down before beginning a journey. If you don’t, then an item could hit you if you brake sharply for any reason.

Photo © sk8geek via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Maybe I should get myself a guard dog

2011-11-28T00:52:00.000-08:00

I always like to think that I would be bold and daring if I spotted someone trying to make their way into my property, and on one occasion I put this to the test when I spotted an evil fox raiding my bins. I had just driven home after an evening out and I ferociously revved my engine to scare the hooligan away.

Mind you, if I hadn’t been in the safety of my car, I doubt I would have summoned enough courage to frighten the animal off on my own!

However, a few dogs in Siberia have shown that they have a lot more bravery than I’ll ever have.

Reportedly, when some dogs of Bely Island saw a polar bear approaching a weather station, they leapt to the rescue of four workers and charged towards the bear.

The dogs didn’t stop until the offending polar bear was lying in a cowardly heap on the ground.

Well, I definitely didn’t have that effect on the thieving fox I spotted!

Photo © xrayspx via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Driving home for Christmas? I’ll be driving everywhere!

2011-11-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

The chilly winter weather has left me daydreaming about an exotic holiday in the Caribbean or another equally hot location. However, upcoming Christmas plans mean that my icy cold hands are definitely not going to be leaving the UK at any point over the next month.

In fact, the only will travelling I’ll be doing in the near future will be in my car. Unfortunately I don’t think my car heaters are likely to emulate the temperatures of the tropics though!

Apparently my driving skills are in high demand over the Christmas period as there seems to be no end to the list of trips I need to make.

Firstly I need to drive to an outlet village in the hope that I’ll save some money by finding cut-price luxury goods to give to my closest friends and family. Next I’ll have to face the monster task of fitting a 6ft Christmas tree from the local gardening centre into my little car.

Closer to the date I have a pantomime to see, girly meets to get to and I have already agreed to attend a school nativity play in which my niece has the starring role of Mary.

Not to forget Christmas day itself! I’ve been given the task of picking up various family members who are scattered around the area for a traditional family Christmas at my parent’s house.

Hopefully my saintly act of driving everyone around will get me out of any other festive duties – all that washing up should definitely be reserved for somebody who hasn’t learned to drive yet!

Photo © wolfsavard via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Fancy saving some money on lunch?

2011-11-21T01:05:00.000-08:00

At the moment I’m finding it pretty difficult to escape from the multiple news pieces about the rising costs of fuel and car insurance which is making life for drivers a little bit less affordable.

However, we can all clap and rejoice as the Royal Society of Chemistry has suggested a new way for us to save our pennies. It has introduced... The toast sandwich!

Unfortunately, the actual delicacy is no more exciting than title suggests, consisting of a thin slice of toasted bread sandwiched between another two slices of untoasted bread. More daring consumers can choose to add butter, salt and pepper if they so desire.

Pros of the sandwich include its price – just 7.5p a serving – and a very quick preparation time. However, for me, the sandwich doesn’t even seem worth trying!

I’m sure the Earl of Sandwich is turning in his grave.

As for saving some money, I think I’d benefit a lot more from cancelling that gym membership I never use.

Photo © How can I recycle this via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Magical pomegranates might be the elixir of life

2011-11-18T00:54:00.000-08:00

I’m sure I’m not alone in experiencing those days where I clamber into the driver’s seat of my car, catch a glimpse of my washed out face reflected in the rear view mirror, and pray that my face will not continue to show undeniable evidence that I am becoming older every year.

Well, it seems that someone may have been listening to my prayers (and probably everyone else’s too) as a study has apparently revealed that pomegranate juice may actually have the powers to slow down the ageing process!

Ok, it sounds too good to be true, but pomegranates have already been linked with preventing heart disease and keeping stress levels down, and now researchers in Spain have discovered that the juice reduces the typical wear and tear of DNA.

This sounds fantastic! Not only will I be getting in one of my five-a-day, but I will be maintaining the beautiful, youthful face of a young driver.

Furthermore, when I turn 26 I won’t need to struggle so much to find an excellent young women’s car insurance quote, but I’ll still have the enviable visage which many 18 to 25s take for granted. Fingers crossed.

Excellent, next stop the supermarket!

Photo © JOE MARINARO via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Losing weight and losing faith

2011-11-14T01:01:00.000-08:00

Ask yourself again, “do you really want your husband or boyfriend to lose weight”? And, furthermore, if you are losing weight do you really know why you are losing weight?

I only ask these questions because a new piece of research has revealed that, just as surely as women get cheaper car insurance than men, a partner dieting or losing weight may well be a partner who is thinking about leaving a relationship or at the very least straying.

Sociologists in Heidelberg looked into all the factors surrounding weight loss, relationships and singledom and found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that couples don’t worry about piling on the pounds because, simply, they feel less pressure to look attractive.

A researcher commented, “Once the ink on the marriage contract dries up, they relax the control they had on their weight and appearance.

And it was no small study either – some 2,000 people between the ages of 16 and 55 took part.

Only a couple of months ago another study revealed that men who buy flash and fast cars are more likely to stray – so, if your partner’s just been investigating car insurance quotes for convertibles so that he expose his svelte new figure to the elements, you could be forgiven for wondering just what he’s planning. Then again, maybe he just wants to impress you, stranger things have happened.

Photo © alancleaver_2000, under Creative Commons Licence

It would be blooming mortifying!

2011-11-11T00:56:00.000-08:00

Given that so many girl’s childhood games and daydreams involve being royalty, usually starting out as some kind of Cinderella figure, graduating onto being a princess and eventually queen, it can be sobering to know that in so many ways it is much better to be a plain old commoner.

Although royalty don’t have to grapple with the banal domestic questions of how to get on the property ladder, how to pay for a holiday, and how to get the best deal on car insurance, it turns out there are actually plenty of downsides to having blue blood.

I mean, would you want a pair of your smelly old posthumous knickers to be auctioned to the highest bidder?

Well, that is precisely what happened to one monarch this week when a pair of Queen Victoria’s bloomers where auctioned for nearly £10,000.

I can only imagine that the late monarch is turning in her grave desperately wishing she’d taken her silk undergarments with her.

Photo © Boldonian, under Creative Commons Licence

Highway clean up workers busy bees

2011-11-07T01:07:00.000-08:00

When talking about car insurance hazards, it is likely that bees aren’t the first thing that spring to mind.

But a recent incident in Utah may make you change your mind. According to news sources a flatbed truck was making its way down a highway when it overturned, causing around 450 45,000-strong bee colonies to be released – that’s around 20 million bees for all you non-mathematicians.

"We stacked the equipment back together, put them back on trucks and trailers and whatever we could find to move them out of there," said a local beekeeper.

He added, "Then we tried to move them as far out of the metropolitan area as we could. Because when those bees come alive today they are going to be mad that their house is all (broken) apart."

Fortunately, despite some non-life-threatening bee stings, no one was injured. But it is easy to see how it could have been worse. Just imagine driving into a cloud of bees at 70 mph with the windows open – half a colony of bees sucked into the cabin could be fatal and hardly bears thinking about.

Photo © Parksy1964 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

The work of the green-eyed monster

2011-11-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

Envy is a powerful thing. When I was thirteen my best friend used to tell me proudly how she “never, ever felt envy for anyone”.

What was peculiar about her declaration was that it was made with both incredible frequency and unnerving emphasis.

But it’s biggest effect on me, strangely, was that it seemed to make me incredibly envious of her, whether it was the advertising-cool junk food in her lunchbox, the rising hem of her skirt, the shine of her lip gloss or her superior ease with boys, particularly Stuart Miller.

So when one Halloween night, someone prolifically “keyed” my dad’s new Mondeo and put dog’s doo in our family letter box, I never suspected Danielle.

As you can imagine, it was quite a shock when a couple of her accomplices allowed the truth to get out. But it was also a catharsis – she finally admitted her envy for my stable home life and my academic success, saying that she’d even repressed this knowledge of her envy from herself. Fortunately the confession also came just in time to prevent my dad from making a car insurance claim – allowing Danielle’s dad to make reparation himself.

My bet is that Danielle would be able to understand the mentality of the man who has recently been arrested in Berlin, Germany. Apparently, he’s confessed to police that over the months since June he has set fire to around 70 luxury cars, including Audis, BMWs and Mercedes.

And his motivation? According to police, it is “not politics, but social envy”. Reportedly, he told them, “I've got debts, my life stinks and others with fancy cars are better off and they deserve this.”

Perhaps this confession is the key to him recognising his envy as the pernicious force it is and at last moving on.

And, maybe, just maybe I should take this as an opportunity to confess my role in ensuring Danielle never received a single letter from the lovesick Stuart Miller, or maybe not…

Photo © Look Into My Eyes via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Carhenge

2011-10-31T01:59:00.000-07:00

It’s nice to have some trees and flowers in the garden, perhaps even some little gnomes or something similar…

But Stonehenge made of cars?

Artist Jim Reinders constructed the…artwork…in 1987 in rural Nebraska in America, and it’s recently been put on sale for $300,000. That’s about £186,294.

Every year around 100,000 visitor come to gaze at this – ehem – 24-year-old wonder, which shares exactly the same dimensions as the ancient stone original in the UK, but the group which owns it (Friends of Carhenge) can no longer afford to maintain the structure.

The Wyoming estate agent in charge of selling this odd piece, which is entirely built from American cars, states, “Carhenge's uniqueness, novelty and unusual components continue to draw the attention of film and television production crews as well as over 80,000 tourists from all over the world.

“As the second most popular tourist site in Nebraska, Carhenge provides a tremendous ownership opportunity for entrepreneurs.”

Well that may be but I’m afraid you won’t catch me buying it, I don’t have enough space for one thing! Sorry Friends of Carhenge…

Photo © Mike Tigas via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Cars that can fly? Sign me up!

2011-10-28T01:58:00.000-07:00

There are countless numbers of times that I have found myself caught in an incredibly slow moving traffic jam and wished that my car would just sprout wings and fly me out of the situation.

Well, it seems that my hopes aren’t as fruitless as they may seem. According to a report, developers have been creating a flying jeep!

They are being designed for the use of the U.S army and will hopefully carry four people, as well as equipment, and have the ability to take off and land vertically at the flick of a switch.

The first model of the Jeep, named the ‘Flying Humvee’, is expected to materialise at the end of next year and take to skies from as early as 2015.

It will be able to handle all-terrain driving as well as flying up to 250 miles on one tank of fuel – and this can all be achieved by a driver who hasn’t had pilot training!

Ok, maybe it isn’t very likely that I’ll get behind the wheels of one of these wonder-vehicles myself, but the thought of them will certainly make traffic jams more interesting!

“...And take off!”

Photo © creative location via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Big up the new women drivers

2011-10-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine passed her driving test today and she is soooooooo happy.

Now, I don’t want to embarrass her, but she had already had one or two attempts and I know she was getting pretty frustrated with failing on very minor issues, but today she joins the ranks of fully-fledged women drivers, and she can hold her head up high when she says:

“I PASSED!”

So, for anyone out there who has just failed their practical driving test or if you’re soon heading off for another attempt, just remember, perseverance is the key and the Highway Code is your bible.

And when you finally pass and can get into your lovely shiny car, all by yourself, to go driving wherever you want, just remember to have your CoverGirl women’s car insurance sorted before you get behind the wheel, so that you’re street legal and good to go.

CoverGirl says, “CONGRATULATIONS to all you new drivers out there &ndash: we salute you.”

And to anyone who has failed a test we say, “Keep trying, it is worth the effort.”

Image © Sean MacEntee via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Women drivers, stay ahead of the road closures

2011-10-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

No one likes to be halted in their journey or diverted onto a different route to the one which they had planned, thus being plunged into the unknown, but car accidents and road works can have a hugely detrimental effect on journey times and can cause frustration and anger behind the wheel.

So, women drivers are urged to take the initiative and plan ahead before setting out on a long or unfamiliar journey.

The Highways Agency website offers up to date traffic information, route planning guidance and even a mobile phone app so that you can access the latest news on driving conditions wherever you are. (Although we strongly urge you to park up and make sure it is safe to use your mobile phone before trying to access the site from the road – it is a serious offence to use a handset while behind the wheel of a vehicle.)

It also has a handy link to the Transport Direct website which contains a great route planning facility. All you have to do is type in some details of where you want to travel from and where you want to get to and it shows you various different ways of travelling, including using alternatives to your car, such as public transport or even walking. It can even find flights, car parks and cycle routes.

Here at CoverGirl we think being forewarned is forearmed and that by avoiding any unnecessary detours and stresses which can arise from road closures, we are likely to stay car accident free and claim free – so we won’t lose our no-claim discount on our women’s car insurance. Smart, or what?

Image © Lisa Larsson via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Slow women drivers?

2011-10-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

Even in this day and age we women still have to put up with jokes about our poor driving, but when they come from the mouth of a professional person like a lawyer it is particularly irritating and quite shocking.

Nick Freeman, a celebrity defence lawyer who deals with traffic and speeding offences recently said the following:

“Speed does not kill. Bad driving does, and that includes going too slowly and being in the wrong lane.

“Why can't these women be prosecuted? Oops, I mean why don't the police start to prosecute this kind of unlawful driving?”

Hilarious Mr Freeman.

The head of road safety at the AA however, stated, without entering into juvenile quips about male and female motorists’ skills, “A lot of bad driving does involve speed. We can't criticise people for being slow drivers.”

Andrew Howard, we thank you for your balanced outlook on road speeds.

Obviously, driving at 30mph on a motorway could be dangerous, but if anyone feels uncomfortable about driving at 70mph and would rather stay at 60mph in the left lane then that’s up to them I think.

Photo © Vegansoldier via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Disappointed in the amount of car chases on film? Just sue the distributors!

2011-10-14T03:04:00.000-07:00

Although many people find the trailers a complete hassle when they go to the cinema, I actually quite look forward to them. The adverts for other films always help me to decide which films may be worthy of my time and next trip to the cinema.

I’m not the only one – according to a report, a woman in the US also uses the trailers to help her pick films. But where we differ is that when she felt that a trailer had misled her into paying to watch a movie she didn’t enjoy, she decided that the next step was to sue the film distributor.

The Michigan based woman felt that that Drive, starring Ryan Gosling, was advertised to her as a Fast and Furious style action piece, yet when she viewed the film she discovered that it was nothing of the sort.

She has claimed that the motion picture “bore very little similarity to a chase or race action film … having very little driving in the motion picture”.

Both the cinema she visited and the film distributor, FilmDistrict, are expected to strongly contest the case, and the cinema has made known that they have already offered the cinema-goer a refund – the lawsuit’s only demand!

There are plenty of films that I haven’t been hugely impressed with, but it would never occur to me to sue anyone! Especially over the lack of car chases featured. Maybe she’ll do some more research into the next film she intends to pay to see.

Photo © sanbeiji via flick, under Creative Commons Licence

A trunk in the road

2011-10-10T00:49:00.000-07:00

I’ve visited a safari park before and had a lovely time. I felt safe in my locked car while observing the animals in their compounds.

Mind you, although when I went I travelled at a pretty slow speed, I didn’t expect to be caught in a traffic jam.

During the recent early October heat wave, visitors to a safari park in the West Midlands had sit it out when a mischievous resident settled down to take a nap.

Five, a five-and-a-half ton African elephant, quite possibly decided that the hot conditions were a little too much for him and promptly dropped down to have a sleep – slap bang across the main road.

There is only so much time you can spend observing a sleeping elephant, but I don’t think that I would like to mess with such a hefty creature! The drivers must have felt the same way (well, they probably didn’t have much choice!) and finally carried on their tour after Five had woken from his slumber and trudged off to another spot.

I like to think that he had taken the opportunity to daydream about what it would be like to drive his own car. I’m not sure he’d find a vehicle able to sustain his weight, and using a trunk to steer would probably make it tricky to find a car insurance quote!

Photo © sarahemcc via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Rabbit road block

2011-10-07T01:24:00.000-07:00

In the UK, we often have to put up with road closures and works, but fortunately, most of the time, we are warned about them and can plan to divert our car journeys accordingly.

However, drivers trying to pass through State Route 51 in the US would not have had any warnings about the road closure in Phoenix during rush hour one morning.

A cleverly captured video shows drivers waiting patiently in their cars while two Department of Public Safety officers attempted to persuade a lone rabbit to move out of the road and onto a grass verge.

The officers arrived at the scene after hearing reports of several drivers having to swerve to avoid turning the creature into road-kill. One officer busied himself with manning a barrier while the other tried to chase the stubborn creature off the road.

The southbound motorists were eventually let through once the cottontail rabbit had been rescued from his bold post and had been safely settled into a less dare-devil spot.

The rabbit was unavailable for comment.

Photo © theseanster93 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Go-karting horror performance by experienced woman driver

2011-10-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

I pride myself on being an experienced woman driver, however earlier this year I had the unfortunate experience of losing control of my car on some standing water. Thankfully, no-one else was involved or injured and I managed to drive the car home.

However, the damage to my car was quite extensive and I was forced to make a claim on my woman’s car insurance. It was a dark day.

Yet, just a few months later and with a new car in place, all thoughts of the accident were behind me as I journeyed off on holiday with my family to a cottage in the south of England. We were having a lovely time and everyone was getting to do what they wanted to do, so when my little sister said she wanted to go karting, she was stunned and hurt when no-one else in our party wanted to join her.

So, being the loving, caring sister that I am, I said, “I’ll go go-karting with you.”

What could be difficult about it? After all I have years of experience behind the wheel and my little sister hasn’t even thought about taking lessons yet. I even thought maybe I could show her how it’s done.

But no, when we got to the circuit and were suited and helmeted up, we got into the tiny, yet surprisingly powerful, karts and I just froze. As every other participant in our session, including my ungracious sibling, zoomed past me – drifting into corners and zooming down the straights with reckless abandonment – I pootled round the track with all the dynamism of the slowest slow thing...ever.

I even had time to see my boyfriend as he creased up laughing and my dad turning away in embarrassment, and my later protestations that the whole thing brought back dreadful memories of my aquaplaning free-slide into a central reservation barrier were met with derisory guffaws and a chorus of, “Yeah right”s!

No, I can safely say, go-karting is most definitely not for me and I won’t be getting into another of the infernal little machines for a very long time. Well, maybe next year, when I’ll really show my little sister how it’s done!

Royal wedding motoring blunder

2011-09-30T01:40:00.000-07:00

Similarly to all my friends and family, I eagerly tuned in to watch the royal wedding earlier this year.

Just like the majority of everyone else watching, I thought the whole thing was magnificent, from Kate Middleton’s dress to Princess’ Beatrice and Eugenie’s hats (well, they were more mystifying than magnificent, but definitely worth seeing!)

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Buckingham Palace in Prince Charles’ classic old Aston Martin they seemed to be the epitome of cool. Not only did they have the highest profile wedding of the decade, but they got to drive through the closed off streets of London in an enviable car too.

However, it appears that the newlyweds perhaps weren’t as sophisticated as they seemed. According to the Sun’s royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, Prince William forgot take off the handbrake!

Edwards has recalled a conversation he had with Prince Charles following the wedding. He asked Prince Charles whether he minded giving his son the keys to the car which had been actually been a birthday present from his mother for his 21st birthday.

Prince Charles reportedly responded that he didn’t mind. However, when Edwards asked about some damage which seemed to have happen to the vintage car, Prince Charles said to him that it was because Prince William had neglected to take the handbrake off.

I know it was a busy day, but Prince William must have really lost himself in amongst all the excitement if he forgot one of the most basic motoring rules. Mind you, I don’t think it has ruined my memory of the big day and I certainly won’t stop daydreaming about waking up as Kate Middleton one day!

Photo © paul-simpson.org via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Now, where’s that engine?

2011-09-27T01:18:00.000-07:00

Does your dad know best when it comes to advice about cars?

A recent survey by tyre retailer ATS Euromaster suggests that one in four motorists, and it doesn’t say how old they are or whether they are male or female drivers, will turn to dad for advice if they have a motoring problem.

Hmmm! Lucky you if you’ve got such a dad.

I remember a time when my dad had taken me and my little sister on a trip to visit our granny in Yeovil. He was going through his hippy phase and had bought a rusty old VW Camper van for his travels.

We just about got to granny’s alright, but when he went to start the van for a day trip it just wouldn’t get going.

I’ll never forget it…Me and my granny stood at the kitchen window – washing up, naturally; we would never spy on dad – and watched as he set about the repairs.

First of all it took him ten minutes to realise the engine was at the back. He had struggled and struggled to get the grill off the front of the van, when he suddenly deduced that there just wasn’t enough room there for an engine anyway.

Yet, once he actually found the engine-bay, it was even funnier watching him attempt to fix it.

It went something like this:

Stare intently at engine
Wiggle something vaguely attached to engine
Stand back, scratch head
Attempt to start engine
No sign of life…Repeat steps one to four

This little process went on for nearly fifteen minutes and granny and I had never laughed so hard, but eventually she took pity on my dad and called her neighbour’s son who owned a garage in the village. He fixed the van in less time than it took my dad to wash his hands…and we never spoke of it again.

Ha ha!

So if you’ve got a dad who knows what he’s doing when it comes to car repairs, car insurance, route planning and all things driving related, I suggest you cherish him, because you never know when you’ll need him.

Image © minkymonkeymoo via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

I don’t need my budgerigar insured to drive my car and I don’t want to see FB updates from people I don’t know

2011-09-23T01:21:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of Facebook – I love that I can easily keep in touch with old friends, my nieces and nephews at University and even the latest goings on of my favourite bands and companies.

But, when something you love and rely upon changes overnight it can be a cause of great irritation.

I mean, if your motor cover provider changed the terms of your women’s car insurance overnight so that only your pet budgerigar was insured to drive your vehicle, you’d be pretty hacked off, wouldn’t you.

So, when you log in to find your whole Facebook page altered so that you can’t see some things and you can see posts you don’t necessarily want to see, then it’s enough to make you want to throw the book at Facebook.

At first I thought it was just me who hated the changes when I posted an early morning status update, but then, as the evening wore on, my friends joined in the chorus of: “What’s happened to Facebook?”

So, the moral is: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! And if your women’s car insurance is cheap, don’t let your budgie drive your car.

Image © oliverj819 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Vintage chic versus modern car comfort

2011-09-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

The Goodwood Revival meeting has been and gone for another year and I have had to put away my vintage tweed suit, seamed stockings and fake-forties Mary Jane shoes. I’ve taken the Victory Roll out of my hair and I am back to my 21st century self.

So, why won’t my boyfriend give up the vintage car and go back to modern luxury of a solid top coupe with heating and a stereo system?

I don’t mind roughing it for a weekend but his classic sports car is quickly becoming a firm feature in his, no in our life, and yes I know it was built in 1955 darling, but Rock and Roll skirts do nothing for my figure.

He won’t even tell me how much the car insurance is on it, but if all the polishing, leather seat cleaning and the amount of time he spends under its bonnet is anything to go by he probably doesn’t scrimp on cover.

Anyway, I’m glad to say, I’m back in my lovely little Fiat 500 which has all modern comforts, while also harking back to classic styling of the original 1957 models and as I watch the early autumn rain fall heavily onto the car park outside my office I am thinking of my boyfriend, struggling to get his old-fashioned soft-top roof up.

Image © DeusXFlorida via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Bride builds her dream car

2011-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Brides usually have vast lists of tasks to complete in preparation for their wedding day.

However, not many women have added building a replica of a Porshe 356 (created by Ferdinand Porshe and manufactured between 1948 and 1956) onto their to-do list.

A 26-year-old Royal Navy engineering officer from Wiltshire did exactly that. Having spent £200 on the wreckage of an old VW Beetle she intended to convert it into the classic Porshe.

When her boyfriend proposed to her, she worked her socks off to complete the transformation so that she could have the car ready for her wedding day.

After six years of hard work, the car was finally finished and ready for the wedding day.

The finished vehicle features a white leather interior with a mahogany finish and can reach speeds of more than 100mph. Despite spending £4,000 building it, the newlywed certainly won’t have made a loss if she chooses to sell since the car is now worth an estimated £25,000!

However, it doesn’t seem as though she has any intentions to sell the replica at any point in the near future. Her father described the car to be her “pride and joy.”

A rather proud father drove her to the wedding ceremony in the car and her new husband later used the car to drive the two of them to their reception.

She said, “It was a close-run thing getting the car finished in the end, but after six years it was well worth it.”

Photo © Myrrien via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

A St Tropez jam

2011-09-12T00:58:00.000-07:00

When you think “St Tropez,” you probably think of tans and holidays.

You probably don’t think of the town of Ste Maxime 10 miles away from St Tropez, which has been struggling with the effects of its neighbour’s popularity for about 30 years.

Now, you might think that the problem Ste Maxime has is jealousy, but in fact it’s the huge traffic jams caused by floods of people trying to get to St Tropez (which has no train station or motorway link to it).

Reportedly, for every 100 vehicles that enter the town, about 70 of them are only passing through to make their way to tan central.

Vincent Morisse, the mayor of the municipality, states, “It creates really monstrous jams.

“And it's not just tourists who are affected, but locals. Firms have difficulty making deliveries and it takes an hour and a quarter to get to the hospital; not to mention the pollution. It is catastrophic.

"For 30 years the road authorities haven't lifted a finger on this road. And in this period the traffic has increased tenfold, not to mention the fact that the population of Ste Maxime has gone from 7,000 to 12,000 inhabitants."

Now, and quite rightly so (we feel), the inhabitants have had enough. They are demanding that a bypass is built to take the traffic around them, so that their roads become less congested.

We wish them luck! And next time you get a St Tropez tan, or if you are lucky enough to go on holiday there, think of the town of Ste Maxime which gets all of the traffic and few of the tourists.

Photo © Marc Veraart via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Directions by Jeremy Clarkson

2011-09-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

Driving can be stressful, so what you don’t need is a sat nav which gives you instructions in Jeremy Clarkson’s voice.

If you choose to use this new voice, being released by TomTom in October, your GPS navigation system will order you – amongst other panic inducing phrases – to “Turn right. Turn RIGHT. You missed it! For the love of . . . !”

“It’s not a gentle sat nav voice, put it like that,” stated Mr Clarkson.

Road users who are easily panicked by the tone of voice used by the famous Top Gear presenter may wish to switch to the new Stig sat nav voice.

Jeremy Clarkson explains, “You can put it in Stig mode, apparently, which is when nothing happens. It doesn’t speak to you at all.

“So you can either have Stig or me and personally I would use the Stig most.”

There are reports that TomTom has been in contact with Jeremy’s co-presenters, in a bid to add their voices to its sat nav instruction repertoire, however Mr Clarkson doesn’t seem to think they’d work very well.

“Hammond, well that wouldn’t work because he hasn’t got the patience.

“James May genuinely doesn’t have a sense of direction.”

We love getting new voices on our sat navs and we’ll try any voice at least once. Let’s see how long we last when getting ordered about by infamous Clarkson.

Image © HamsterRun via photobucket

Paris Hilton’s taxi payment

2011-09-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

You may already know what you want to be “when you’re older”, and you might be lucky enough to have already started your dream career.

However, if you haven’t you may want to consider becoming a taxi driver and following Paris Hilton about wherever she travels.

The famous heiress to the chain of Hilton hotels was recently seen in Paris giving her taxi driver a rather large amount of money for dropping her of at the shops.

It was $100 (about £60) to be precise, and she didn’t wait to get given the change back either...not that it would have been very easy to do since she didn’t bother converting her cash into Euros for that particular trip.

It seems as though, if you give Paris Hilton a lift enough times you may be able to afford to buy a fancier car, or perhaps even employ a chauffeur.

After all, if Paris Hilton’s Paris visit is anything to go by, driving yourself places, and paying people in the correct currency, is so last year.

Image © Oldmaison via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Britain’s top ten most endangered animals

2011-08-12T04:57:00.000-07:00

When you think of endangered species you might think of the panda, the orangutan, rhinos, dolphins, and a whole bunch of other animals that most people in the UK have probably never seen in the wild.

However, Britain has its own list of endangered animals, and some of the creatures on that list may surprise you.

Sadly, many people today are out of touch with nature, and so a lot of the animals in the top ten most endangered list may draw a blank with you – I’ll admit to not recognising some of the names myself.

At number one is the red-necked phalarope (a little wading bird). Number two is the black-tailed godwit (a larger wading bird). Number three is the Scottish wildcat, four is the capercaillie (a type of grouse), five is the cuckoo, six is the red squirrel, seven is the turtle dove, eight is the natterjack toad, at nine the brown hare, and finally at ten comes potentially the most recognisable of all of these animals, the hedgehog.

Reportedly the number of hedgehogs in the UK is diminishing due to people not taking care when mowing or strimming their garden. Another factors is the number of roads which now cut across countryside.

It would be sad to lose our British hedgehogs, just as it would be sad to lose any of these animals when something can be done about it.

So, let’s all be careful when neatening up the garden, and if there are no cars behind you and you can stop safely, let that little spiky shape get across the road safe and sound.

Photo © machernucha via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Underhand goings-on

2011-08-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

In Britain nowadays you’d hope that bribing officials was a thing of the past, but unfortunately this isn’t so.

Two staff members at an East London magistrates’ court have been attested after reportedly taking bribes from motorists who wanted their speeding record details erased from the traffic summons database.

They were arrested after a newspaper investigation videoed them accepting £500 to make a driver’s traffic summons ‘go away’.

In the video one man explained to the client, “I don't touch no charges, just the traffic summons.”

Both of the men, aged 21 and 30, have been suspended from their roles and have been arrested under suspicion of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.

If the allegations are correct, it will mean that due to the behaviour of these two individuals many convictions may not have been recorded.

Driving offences are very serious, since reckless behaviour on the road could result in someone being severely injured or killed. Allowing people to get away with their dangerous driving habits is unacceptable.

Photo © Images_of_Money via Flickr, under Creative Writing Commons

100-year-old motorist

2011-08-05T03:14:00.000-07:00

Perhaps unfairly, elderly drivers have a reputation for being frustrating. The prejudice is that they dawdle on the roads and struggle to even see over the steering wheel.

That’s why it’s nice to see one 100-year-old lady from Dorset confounding these stereotypes.

She started driving before compulsory driving tests even began in the UK, and drove herself to school when she was only 15, but she’s never had an accident and only took an examination to prove she was a capable motorist and get the cost of her insurance reduced.

The vibrant female motorist stated, “I love driving and much prefer it to walking.

“I learnt to drive when I was 15 – the driving test didn't start for another few years and I was already on the road by then.

“The only time I took a test was when I turned 98 and my insurance tried to put the price up – I was furious.

“I decided to take a test myself so I got an examiner to come out.

“…he said he had confidence in me the whole time. I've got the letter to prove it where he says ‘[she] drives as well as a good driver 30-40 years younger than her.’

“They knocked 200 pounds off my insurance, so that was worthwhile.”

She sounds like a real character. Almost unsurprisingly, her vehicle registration plate is reportedly ‘HO0RAH’.

Photo © x-ray delta one via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

A very expensive pile-up

2011-08-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

As women, we like seeing members of our sex doing things that make us all look good.

Unfortunately there are some women that make us grate our teeth and bite our nails while inwardly we scream, “Why on earth did you do that? Now we all look stupid!”

One female driver, described by one online newspaper as a “hapless blond”, recently did something which warrants such a reaction.

She was driving her Bentley Azure (£250,000) near the very fancy Place du Casino in Monte Carlo when she caused a rather expensive pile-up.

A Mercedes S Class, Ferrari, Porsche 911 and Aston Marin Rapide were all involved in the crash – and it is estimated to have caused more than £40,000 of damage.

The woman was lucky not to have caused even more damage, since altogether the cars cost almost £700,000.

We do feel sorry for her, despite her silly mistake. The drivers of the other vehicles probably weren’t that pleasant about the incident.

Personally we at the duck2water office feel much happier driving in and around less expensive cars. That way if we’re involved in a minor accident, it’s not too much of a disaster financially.

Photo © Images_of_Money via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Young women in music industry need support

2011-07-29T01:19:00.000-07:00

Like everyone else, we at CoverGirl were both saddened and shocked to learn this week of the tragically premature death of Amy Winehouse.

Although she had a sound and a style that harked back to the glory years of Motown, Winehouse, with her dark beehive, rockabilly tattoos and diminutive frame, which belied her deep and capacious sound, was truly inimitable.

Already the consensus is that, despite being just 27-years-old and only two studio albums into her career, Winehouse’s place in the pantheon of great British vocalists is truly assured.

In a sense, there is a feeling that the singer, like other members of the “27-club”, such as Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, didn’t live any less of a life than many of us who go on to live well into dignified old age – It could be said that all of these artists lived a kind of distilled existence, where in their short lives they produced truly remarkable music that will still be resounding loudly and profoundly in the world long after most of us are forgotten.

But this does not in anyway lessen the tragedy or the thoughts of what might have been had they gone on to live longer lives.

The death also reminds us of the unique pressures endured by young people and, increasingly, young women, in the music business.

For whatever reasons, drug addiction and alcoholism are rife in an industry where younger people surely need more protection.

This, no doubt, is a truism, yet we should be wary of stereotyping. There are plenty of responsible and sober young women in the music business who are frequently and unfairly tarred with the brush of prejudice, a fact which can cause especial problems when they are trying to obtain insurance policies, whether for life insurance, workplace insurance or car insurance, and come against insure algorithms that bracket them as “high risk”.

Photo by 55Laney69 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

A Mini in bloom

2011-07-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

It’s nice getting a bunch of flowers from someone and it’s nice seeing a classic British car proudly trundling along next to all the new models on the UK highways.

Birmingham City Council seems to think so too because for the Royal Horticultural Society National Flowerbed competition at the Tatton Flower Show in Cheshire this year, it covered an iconic 1959 Mini in flowers and foliage.

The rest of the council’s flowerbed scene included a vegetal road, and a shrubbery person about to use a leafy zebra crossing, complete with bushy belisha beacons on either side of a flower-adorned pavement.

The flowery Mini was in competition with many other entries from a variety of local authorities, other councils, and community groups from all over the country.

It didn’t win gold at this event, but it managed to gain a Silver-Gilt Flora award, and prior to that it did win gold at the Gardeners’ World Live Show and silver at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Well done Birmingham City Council and congratulations to you, classic Mini!

Image © Birmingham News Room via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Little car – big racing

2011-07-22T04:26:00.001-07:00

If, like me, you love Citroen 2CVs, you should get yourself to Snetterton Race track in Norfolk for the annual Classic 2CV 24-hour race on the 27th and 28th August.

Ok, so 2CVs don’t readily spring to mind when you think about endurance racing, and you might think that spending that amount of time in the rickety tin box which forms the greater part of the endearing little French vehicle may be a bit tough on your bones, but, so the Classic 2CV Racing Club says, the humble car lends itself particularly well to the challenges posed by a 24 hour duel.

The organisers say that many driver/enthusiasts believe that endurance racing is more “civilised” than sprint racing and that the ethos is about preserving the cars rather than smashing and crashing into each other at the first corner.

I’ve never raced one, but they say the little vehicles are really fun to race and their lack of horsepower (most have a mere 49bhp) mean that it’s important to get the hang of sliding through corners so you don’t lose speed in braking.

If all this has whetted your appetite and you’re thinking that maybe you’d like to enter next year’s race, then here’s what you’ll need (apart from a Citroen 2CV of course):

Three or four drivers (men or women) – depending on budget
A team manager – to report driver changes among other tasks
A refueller – wearing fire-retardant clothing
A fireman, or fire marshal – to be ready with a fire extinguisher at pit stops
Mechanics – to carry out repairs, top up fluids, change engines, etc.

So, is anyone up for making the CoverGirl 2CV Racing Team a reality – I would love to have a go!

Image © Martin Pettitt, via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Trapped in a chocolate shop? I don’t BEElieve it.

2011-07-18T00:57:00.000-07:00

Can you think of anything much better than being trapped in a chocolate shop? Well, unless you’re on a diet at the moment – no, probably not.

Come on! There are much worse places to be trapped aren’t there? The motorway, for example!

Well recently that’s exactly what happened to the staff of a Thorntons chocolate shop in Herefordshire.

Noticing some bees around the shop entrance, they closed the door to stop them coming in and suddenly found themselves incarcerated in their delicious store when a whole swarm of bees landed on and around the door.

“It was like something from a horror film,” an employee explained, “one minute the sky was clear and then suddenly there was a cloud of black and yellow coming straight for us.”

It took them two and a half hours to rid themselves of the bees with the help of a beekeeper.

Apparently the queen bee had been expelled from her hive by a younger female bee, and most of her loyal courtiers had flown off with her to act as royal bodyguards.

It must have been a relatively frightening experience, but we can’t help but feel a little less sorry for them because of their location at the time.

Photo by blumenbiene via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Driving? Don’t hurt yourselves ladies!

2011-07-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

We may all be a little too used to jokes about women drivers – but it’s no surprise that they exist when in the 50’s, right up until the early 70s, cars were being sold by very sexist advertising.

We can laugh at it now, but the Daimler 104 Ladies’ Model, which had electric windows so that women didn’t have to ruin their nails, and simplified gears so that we wouldn’t get confused behind the wheel, did exist.

As did a warning film about women drivers produced by the British government, a young lady in an advert who marvelled at the Morris Mini Cooper’s winding windows cheerfully stating “I like the way it goes up and down!”, and the Cortina/Reliant Scimitar hybrid’s slogan “Men! Let There Be No Sleepless Nights If the Wife Can Drive!”

Charming.

We put up with a lot, us women drivers! Nice to know that nowadays we’re generally considered safer motorists than our male counterparts.

Image from kchrist_album via photobucket

New car Evoques frantic advanced purchasing

2011-07-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Did you think that the Range Rover Evoque was stylish? Were you thinking about trying to buy one?

Well they’ve sold out for the year already, so you can just join the waiting list with everyone else.

Yes, the production line only churned out the very first one on Monday, but what is apparently the most eco-friendly Range Rover vehicle yet has proven very popular already and there’s an advanced orders queue of 18,000 long.

According to the Range Rover Evoque, Pulse of the City site the car designers took inspiration “from the architecture of the greatest cities around the world,” giving the vehicle “dramatic lines, muscular shoulders and signature floating roofline”.

It certainly sounds inviting, and since Victoria Beckham has been named the new creative design executive of the brand maybe Range Rover will be the car to be seen in.

We doubt Mrs Beckham will have to wait in line with everyone else if she wants and Evoque…

As for the remaining rabble – come join us at the back of the queue.

Image by Land Rover Our Planet via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Beautiful blue Bugatti bought

2011-07-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

If you bought something in a sale, kept it preciously for many years, and then managed to sell it on for more than 300 times its original value – you’d be pleased, right?

Well, the family of a man who found an old Bugatti type 35B at an aerodrome 61 years ago have done just that.

Jack Perkins paid £60 for it (£1,300 in today’s money) and was determined to make the vehicle as good as new and faster than it had ever been before.

When the Bugatti’s saviour died in 1992, the vehicle was given to his widow who made sure that her late husband’s beloved automobile was displayed at Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset for all to see.

Recently however, the family decided it was time that the car was given a real home again and put it up for auction during this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. It fetched £430,500.

The car was bought by a private British buyer, a fact that the auction house are reportedly very pleased about.

Mr Perkins raced the car many times, and, although the engine was not quite up to speed after its lengthy time off the tarmac, hopefully the classic motor will once again have a chance to grace a UK race track after receiving a little love, affection and a thorough service from its new owner.

Image by Starcowboy via photobucket

Legalisation of automated cars – it has begun!

2011-07-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Before the news broke some months ago, Google had been testing their driverless cars secretly in California with very few hitches.

However, many motorists won’t be expecting these vehicles’ introduction onto showroom floors for a long time yet. Electric cars had a hard enough time getting accepted by the wider public and they’re still driven, reassuringly for some, by human beings.

Yet, the state of Nevada in America seems to be getting ready for the automated hybrid cars’ arrival onto the roads already.

Legislation which would allow the driverless cars to legally circulate on Nevada’s roads, having been purchased by private owners just like “normal” vehicles, is being given the thumbs up by the state.

One bill amendment involves the licensing and testing of automated cars and the other amendment, which has yet to be passed, would allow for driverless car owners to be exempt from texting behind the wheel offences.

Who knows, since Nevada is gearing up for automated vehicles, maybe they’ll be on the roads sooner than we think.

We can’t wait – it will mean longer lie-ins in the mornings because we’ll be able to do our make-up and hair in the car.

Image from warrentedarrest via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Nissan at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

2011-07-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, Nissan will try to break two records using the Leaf and the Juke.

One record it hopes to set, using the Nissan Leaf and professional stunt driver Terry Grant (right), is the fastest vehicle reverse up the Goodwood Hillclimb course which rises more than 300ft from the start-line to the finish.

This feat will only be achievable because engineers will have removed the car’s reverse-speed limiter – enabling the vehicle to reach a maximum of 90mph while travelling backwards.

The second record attempt will potentially be set by the Nissan Juke when Mr Grant will drive the car up the course on two wheels only. This attempt will, thankfully, not be performed backwards.

The stunt driver stated, "I've experienced Goodwood before but never attempted to set a new record.

"To have the chance to grab not only one but two records at the same event will hopefully provide everyone with a very entertaining spectacle."

We have no doubt that it will be – good luck Nissan and good luck Terry Grant!

Image by helena.40proof via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Flashy men in flash cars flash by

2011-06-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

News shock just in! Men who drive fast, flashy cars are more interested in quick flings than they are in long-term relationships.

For what it’s worth, I think the Rice University, University of Texas-San Antonio and University of Minnesota study which has brought us this nugget of information could have saved a lot of time and money and simply asked us women what we thought.

Women do not always automatically see a man in a flash car and think “Wow! He’s the man for me,” and most of us are not influenced by a man’s ability to afford an expensive marque. In fact, many of us have already probably worked out the correlation between men of a certain age driving Ferraris and their marital status.

What this study doesn’t answer, however, is the question of what it means when a man in a long-term relationship suddenly goes out and buys an expensive and flashy car. Could it mean that his fidelity is suddenly in doubt? Hmmmmmmmm…

Image by FotoSleuth via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

To the beach, to the beach

2011-06-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

It’s summer, it’s raining and I’m British, so I shall moan about the weather – it is my lot in life.

But no, I’m not going to let the clouds bother me because life’s too short.

So, I’m going to dig out my bright blue wellies and find the biggest, most colourful umbrella I can and I’m going to get in my car and drive to the nearest beach so I can have a nice seaside walk.

It’s June, the Longest Day has almost been and gone and my little car hasn’t been out on a long trip in a while.

A nice long drive is always good for a car which only does short urban journeys. Getting it up to a good, but always legal, speed on the motorway helps recharge the battery fully, and gives the old internal combustion engine a work out and a decent clean through (so my dad tells me).

And while I’m at the beach I shall have some fish and chips in a seafront café while I watch the waves crashing onto the shingle.

And just in case the sun decides to come out, I shall pack a swimsuit, towel and sun cream – well, you can never be too sure, can you.

Image © kyle simourd via Flickr, uner Creative Commons Licence

Lady Penelope

2011-06-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

Many of us would like a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce – but Thunderbirds’ Lady Penelope actually had one, and a pink one at that.

Yes, we know that the part of the well-dressed secret agent of the famous television series was performed by several different puppets – but the impact the show has had culturally makes us feel that we are entitled to feel envious of Lady P’s lifestyle anyway.

She was an aristocrat with flattering designer clothes and a large house in the British countryside!

Well, although we may never be able to get into the back of a pink chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce and say, “To the shops please, Parker,” we could own Lady Penelope herself since one of the original puppets is being auctioned off on the 29th of June this year.

Being sold dressed in a white 60’s summer dress, cream-coloured cardigan with light pink embroidered flowers on the shoulders and dusty-pink ballet-pump shoes – the Lady is estimated to make about £10,000 at auction.

Good luck, Lady Penelope, we hope you find a good, and very upmarket, home.

Image by cousin-hub via photobucket

Feeling a little congested

2011-06-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

We all like winning things, even though it must be stressed that it’s the taking part that counts, but recently Britain has “won” a title which does not make us want to celebrate.

Britain has the biggest traffic congestion problem in Europe.

Sat-nav company TomTom compiled the figures, which are automatically updated onto its network from its satellite navigation product.

Areas of congestion are noted as being highways on which journeys that, for example, should only take one hour end up taking 20 minutes more.

On the list of 50 of the most gridlocked cities across the continent, the UK has 16 cities included. Furthermore, eight of those are proudly sat in the top 20.

TomTom reassures long-suffering motorists that congestion is improving little by little in the UK, but, as a spokesperson for the company stated, “many [cities] have a long way to go.”

We await smooth-running traffic in our capitals with bated breath, but although improvements are being made we may be quite red in the face by the end.

Image by barry.pousman via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Bat-mobile parked at 26:00pm half way up a wall

2011-06-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

A very lucky group of 500 motorists in Bristol have recently discovered that they no longer have to pay the parking fines which they were issued. This can all be chalked up to errors on the part of the traffic wardens in the area.

The mistakes being recorded range from marking down the wrong location a car is parked in, to getting the times and even the details of the vehicles themselves wrong.

In fact it has been estimated that all the mistakes added together has cost the Bristol City Council over £17,000 in unenforceable fines.

This information was released via the Freedom of Information Act, which also brought to light how the authority normally makes around £2 million every year from parking fines by issuing about 6,000 tickets every month.

A council spokesman said, “If the revenue raised through the issuing of enforcement notices exceeds expenditure on parking services in any one year then the surplus is used in line with the requirements of Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.”

For those of you wondering what Section 55 says – as we did before researching it – it says the surplus will then be used for things such as ensuring road safety through traffic lights, concessionary fares and traffic surveys.

Well that sounds good – but we’d quite like not to be given innacutate parking fines in the first place, thank you very much!

Image by alicegop via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Car buying gone bonkers

2011-06-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

A new survey of 2,000 people in the UK has revealed that five per cent of men took longer to find a new car than they spent choosing their wife.

The Netcars.com survey, also found that more than one in ten males took longer deciding what make and model of car to have than what they should call their children or what house they should buy.

Apparently, the over-55s are the easiest to please when it comes to buying cars as 70 percent of this age group said they took less than three months to make a purchase.

Meanwhile, drivers aged 25-34 are more deliberate and more protracted in making their purchase – four percent of this age group owned up to taking more than 12 months to make a decision.

Netcars.com marketing director Liz Rix said, "We conducted our survey because we were keen to establish just how important car purchasing was for our customers.

"I have to admit we were very surprised by the results; who would have thought that people would spend more time looking for a new car than they did for a wife? Or that buying a car was more important than giving your child a name?”

However, here at CoverGirl, as specialist providers of car insurance for women, we know that it only takes a few minutes to decide where to get your motor cover from &ndash: because you’ve already done it by finding CoverGirl.

Image © Alex Dixon via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

One wedding, two motorways and telematics car insurance

2011-06-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Recently, for the first time in my short driving career, I have had to do a long car journey on my own.

After passing my driving test, I mainly just took my car to work – about 15 minutes drive away – or to the shops, and I usually had someone with me.

Although it was great to be able to get to where I wanted to go without having to stand in the rain waiting for the bus, and to be part of the car-sharing scheme at work, I had never really felt that I was using my car to its full potential.

So, when the need arose for me to travel to a friend’s wedding, on my own, I was happy that I was finally going to use my vehicle, and my women’s car insurance, for something a little more adventurous.

But then I realised it would be the first time I would drive on the motorway without my Pass Plus instructor and I got a bit panicky because I was going to be a long way from home. What if I had an accident on some remote road with no-one around and what if my car was stolen when I stopped to get a coffee at a service station?

All these things came crashing into my mind as I planned my route and then my mum reminded me that I had bought telematics car insurance and that the little box under the dashboard acted as a GPS device to help the police locate the vehicle if it was stolen.

And then she remembered that it also had the capability to give off an accident alert warning if the signals sent to my insurer’s technical centre showed the car had experienced a strong impact or unusual G forces and then someone would contact me to make sure I was safe.

Aaaaagh! Peace of mind.

So, I was set - my sat nav plugged in, my telematics car insurance in place, a full tank of petrol and my comfy driving shoes – and off I went to the wedding. It was just a pity that my all-singing, all-dancing car insurance couldn’t reserve me a space in the car park as once I found a parking space it was almost half-a-mile’s walk back to the church.

Image © Eleventh Earl of Mar via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Love me, love Marmite. Hate Marmite, hate me.

2011-05-31T02:00:00.000-07:00

I once had a boyfriend who hated Marmite so much that he said he couldn’t look at me while I was eating it. In fact, as he would refuse to kiss me goodbye as I left for work in the mornings, citing Marmite breath, it could be said that his distaste for the sticky brown stuff actually contributed to the decline of our relationship.

In the days when I could still find his every word funny or fascinating I once laughed when he said over breakfast one morning that if ever he became Prime Minister the first thing he’d do would be to introduce a ban on Marmite. You’ll never go into politics, I thought, you’re not boring enough.

Well, within a couple of years he had managed to disillusion me and become completely bland and colourless, so perhaps he has gone into politics after all, although surprisingly it must have been in Denmark. I deduce this because it has emerged that the country has banned Marmite from its nation’s shelves on the grounds that it contains added Vitamins.

Love it or hate it, a ban seems wrong, doesn’t it?

Up until now I’ve only ever said I’ll never holiday in places where I can’t get adequate woman driver insurance – I like the freedom and adventure of being able to drive a car when I’m on holiday – but I certainly won’t be going on holiday in Denmark until the ban is reversed – I just don’t feel right in the mornings if I haven’t had a marmite bagel for breakfast and I’m not prepared to endure a custodial sentence for international marmite smuggling crimes.

Image © geishaboy500 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Severe weather warning for drivers

2011-05-27T04:48:00.000-07:00

Following the deaths of a young woman driver in Hexham, Northumberland and a 36-year-old man from Scotland, motorists are being warned that high winds can cause extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Both drivers died when trees fell onto their cars during the unusually high winds for the time.

Meteorologists said that parts of Scotland had suffered gusts of up to 114 mph in the storms, while gusts of around 65mph were felt in Yorkshire.

Michael Dukes, Forecast Manager for Meteogroup, said, “The high winds that have been battering Scotland, Ireland and the far north of England today are about as strong as you ever get in late May.

"These wind speeds would be noteworthy in midwinter, but for them to occur in late spring is really most unusual.

"Indeed, with trees in full leaf, winds of this strength can cause a great deal of problems as trees can be more readily toppled."

And I have to say that as I drove my little Fiat down the leafy lanes along the South Coast recently I did wonder how safe it was to be driving under the bending boughs which seemed so noisy above me.

So, our advice is, if it’s windy out, don’t drive unless you have to, and if your journey is urgent, be aware of overhanging trees – maybe plan a route which does not go through forested areas, or at the very least be vigilant when driving under trees in high winds.

Stay safe whenever you drive – weather kills!

Image © James Fraleigh via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

It’s 30mph for a reason

2011-05-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

A recent joke by pranksters in Bradford has left motorists and road authorities very angry, and could have lead to a serious accident.

A fake 40mph sign was put in a 30mph zone, just before a speed camera, so, some unfortunate motorists, thinking that they were entering a 40 zone, sped up and were caught by the machine.

The fake sign was quickly removed.

The pranksters have been labelled by highway chiefs and a member of the Bradford Council as irresponsible, and the joke itself dangerous.

One HGV driver, a resident in the area, commented, “Some evenings it's been like a strobe disco light. There have obviously been a lot of people who have been caught by it.

“Whoever has placed the sign there, it's a stupid thing to do. It costs time and effort for all those involved in the fines process.”

A spokesman for the Council stated, “Whoever put it up may think it was just a practical joke but it is actually crassly irresponsible.

“We lowered the limit to 30mph on Woodside Road because there had been 157 casualties on the A641 over three years. Encouraging people to drive faster than the speed limit may put lives at risk.”

Sadly, some people don’t think about the potential consequences of their actions – if they did there would probably be a greatly reduced number of accidents around the world.

Image by bicameral via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

In-car shenanigans should be kept off the road

2011-05-19T05:53:00.000-07:00

According to a survey reported on by the Belfast Telegraph more of us argue in our cars than get amorous.

The survey, carried out by a car insurance comparison website, stated that, out of the 2,000 pollsters, 47.5% of men and close to 30% of women claim to have indulged in bedroom activities in their car, while nearly 63% of women and close to 60% of men admitted to having argued in their cars.

Frankly, I fail to see why this is a surprise to anyone – in fact, I am astonished that the figures for in-car amorousness are as high as they are and anyone who has not argued with their children or partner during a long car journey must be an automaton.

But, of course, the results are qualified by the use of the word claim and, naturally, not all of those questioned may have been totally truthful when confessing to arguing in their cars.

If we’re going to be totally devoid of humour, we should of course profess that unless the car is completely stationary and the engine is switched off either activity is extremely dangerous and has the potential to cause a car accident.

So, for the sake of road safety, we implore you – leave your anger in a lay-by and keep your ardour for….anywhere else really.

Happy driving!

Image © OakleyOriginals via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Pippa Middleton madness

2011-05-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

Ever since the royal wedding, news reports have been less about Kate and more about her sister Pippa.

Now, some of us might be deeply envious, and others might be wondering what all the fuss is about – but Miss Middleton’s behind has attracted more attention than potentially any other rear in British history.

Many men, and women, might have admired Pippa’s physique – but they’re likely not to have gone on about it too much in front of their partners.

However, one man clearly didn’t realise how second-rate he may have been making his girlfriend feel, and he’s paid dearly as a result of not being able to read the danger signals.

Photos emerged of the mystery man’s blue Peugeot 206 in Birmingham, with “Is Pippa’s bum still better than mine?” sprayed in white across the side of the vehicle.

One amused resident who saw the anger-fuelled graffiti said, “It looks like this guy has made the number one mistake of being way too honest.

“Everybody knows if your girlfriend asks you whether someone is more attractive than them, never say yes, even if it’s true.”

The man who managed to take the photograph of the Peugeot stated, “the driver wasn’t hanging around. He was shielding his face by the looks of it because everybody was pointing and laughing at him.”

Poor guy!

I wouldn’t say he deserved it or invited it even, but it’s fair to say that he could have avoided it with a simple lesson in Relationship Politics 101.

Image by movethelife via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Grrls car insurance

2011-05-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

CoverGirl could soon be offering car insurance for grrls as the online social network user term for a woman has been included in the latest edition of “Collins Official Scrabble Words”.

Alongside “thang”, “innit” and “Wiki” the term “grrl” is now deemed a legal scoring word in the spelling game and, as such, has been accepted into the language of Scrabble gamers.

According to netlingo.com the term grrl was one of the very first internet jargon usages to imply a specific meaning for online use.

A grrl is a female internet user (young or old) who uses e-zines, vanity pages and blogs to create an online identity and offer self-expression.

The tem was originally coined by feminists and female punk rockers who wished to “toy with the status quo”.

The term gained popularity through the growth of “Webgrrls” a technology support group for women introduced in 2000.

Now, the term refers to any woman who spends a lot of time online.

So come on ladies (or maybe that should be ladeez) get online and get your women’s car insurance from CoverGrrl – see what we did there?

image © Kables via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence

Young women the driving force behind new music

2011-05-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

For a list of women who are unlikely to lose any sleep worrying about their ability to find cheap car insurance for woman drivers, you need look no further than the latest instalment of the Sunday Times music millionaires list.

Yes, although the top ten places are still filled by men and the highest place women on the list are still up there beside their husbands – Victoria Beckham being one example – there are still plenty of women who have the kind of cash most of us can only ever dream about.

I was surprised that I’d never even heard of the highest placed woman on the list – Judy Cramer, creator of the stage show Mamma Mia!, and now reported to be worth £62 million, a figure which is actually down £18 million on her 2010 listing. I can only guess she must have been doing some serious shopping.

Unsurprisingly, the only other woman in the top 50 on her own right was camp pop princess, Kylie Minogue, who’s worth a mere £40 million.

The good news for women is that eight of the top ten young music millionaires are women – Katherine Jenkins, Cheryl Cole, Leona Lewis, Katie Melua and Joss Stone fill out the top 5 spaces.

Image by Shane Global Language Centres via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Alarming car research

2011-04-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

It’s never nice having something stolen from you, and it’s even less pleasant having something stolen from you and having your car window smashed in the process.

With the Easter and Spring holidays just round the corner, a large UK vehicle insurer is warning motorists to take extra care of their cars since statistics show that there is often as much as a 10% increase in car crime at these times.

However, research has proven that installing an alarm in your vehicle may not be enough to save it, or its contents, from the hands of opportunist thieves.

In a social experiment, which involved setting off car alarms in busy areas of London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester, it has become clear that car alarms “have become like urban white noise – as commonplace as dogs barking, sirens and everyday traffic”.

Out of all the pedestrians who walked passed the wailing vehicles used in the study, only 17% acknowledged the alarm with a brief glance, and 83% completely failed to register the noise at all.

So, to avoid your car, or the belongings within it, getting stolen – it seems as if an alarm just isn’t enough.

To reduce the risk of automobile theft, don’t park in a quiet or poorly lit area, hide all your possessions so that your car doesn’t look so enticing, and perhaps invest in a wheel lock.

And now, with the lecture out of the way, you can enjoy the warm sunny (fingers crossed) holidays.

Image by rick via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

We’re not lost – we just don’t know where we are

2011-04-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

We girls have a reputation for being poor map readers – but new research shows that this might actually be a good thing.

A University of Dundee lecturer in behavioural neuroscience undertook research on the effect that sat-navs are having on motorists.

She found that as a result of being led around UK roads by a big arrow, we are starting to neglect our innate ability to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings through the recognition of landmarks.

The lecturer explains that, “With GPS devices and the increase in popularity of hi-tech navigational tools, we're doing less of this visual navigation which the earliest humans will have used expertly.

“If most of our time travelling through new areas is spent following a flashing arrow instead of looking out of the windows, we're not likely to know anymore about the place for having been there.”

So, it may seem obvious, but an important part of finding your way around places seems to be the act of looking at the environment around you.

Maybe having your eyes fixed on GPS instructions or your nose stuck in a book of maps isn’t as useful as men like to make it out to be then. Perhaps relying on our inner compasses and taking in the sights is, quite literally, the way forward.

Image by krebsmaus07 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Dangerous letter ‘Z’

2011-04-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

According to research conducted by a leading car insurance company, motorists might be better of steering well clear of any vehicles with the letters “NCZ” on their registration plate.

Apparently, the study of 643,939 accident claims showed that cars which have the letter “Z” in their registration number have the most crashes – and no Z-plates more so than ones which end with “NCZ”.

The letter “Z” features in three of the top five plates linked with at-fault insurance claims, and in two of the top five non-fault – so whether you’re out for a spin in your non-Z-plate-vehicle, or planning on buying a car – stay away from “Z” registrations!

The managing director of the insurance company, which undertook the strange research, stated, “I’m sure this is just a coincidence – we’ve got no plans to charge more for some registrations as a result.”

Well, thank goodness for that – still, take heed!

Image by Excal1971 via photobucket

Mother’s Guilt Day

2011-04-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

Mother’s day was a while ago but I still haven’t quite managed to recover.

It’s not that I was up late revelling in my motherhood and sharing a meal and a bottle of champagne – no for me it’s about guilt, pure guilt.

The thing is on the Saturday night I had been out for a friend’s birthday. First we went to the cinema (The King’s Speech, since you ask) then for a civilised and sober (relatively) meal at a posh restaurant in London.

I got back late, you see, so when the kids, unable to contain their excitement, charged into my room and 5:30am to “surprise me” with breakfast, you could say that I found it very easy to conceal my delight, even from myself.

The poor things. They’d put so much effort and energy into the surprise breakfast that they even woke a full three hours earlier than they do on a Sunday morning. And instead of facing up to a beaming and delighted mummy, all they got was the hag from hell being jump-started into an indignant rage.

“Out! Out!” I shouted, emerging from the punctured space of my dreams, where only moments before I’d been swooning in the arms of Colin Firth. “I need some sleep!” Needless to say, there were tears and by the time I was sentient enough to feel guilt, I felt it alright. I was awash with it.

It’s even gone so far that last weekend was spent making it up to the kids. Saturday encompassed both a visit to Peppa Pig World and a trip to see Rio 3D. From Mothers’ Day to Mother’s Guilt Day, all in the space of less than a week.

Image © Tim Green aka atoach via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Roof box essentials

2011-04-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

According to Halfords, the motoring consumables retailer, there has been a recent 13% rise in the purchase of roof boxes in the UK.

Intrigued as to why that was, the company launched a roof box survey of 3,200 people.

The information gathered showed the biggest reason behind increased roof box buying in Britain, is simply that motorists carry around a greater number of possessions on their mini-breaks and holidays than they used to.

The average driver’s vehicle is loaded with 140 kilos more when going on a holiday than it was in 2006 – that amounts to around the same weight as two adults – or an extra 15 large, and completely filled, suitcases.

Seventy-one percent of those surveyed blamed their mothers for the increased amount of packed items. Obviously old habits die hard then girls...

The top five “must-have” items listed by women were:

A hair-dryer;
Hair-straighteners;
Clothes (obviously);
A mirror;
Portable lights, such as torches or lanterns.

Image by fredsir via Photobook

Diamonds are a car’s best friend

2011-04-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the diamond (60th) anniversary of Formula 3 racing in the UK, Cooper Tires unveiled some diamond and Swarovski Crystal encrusted tyres at the launch of their Cooper Tires British F3 International Series at Silverstone.

The wheels were bejewelled by London specialist FK Diamonds and the owner said, “The process of setting the diamonds was certainly a little different from what we are used to doing.”

The finished result was that every letter of “Cooper” along each of the tyre’s walls sparkled with gems.

We don’t know how much this would cost, but at the CoverGirl office we like the idea of personalising our car wheels with our name in glittering diamonds…Well, we can dream.

Video by coopertire via YouTube

Why one MP is slow and oblivious to the traffic of history

2011-03-30T03:44:00.000-07:00

Last century’s achievements in the women’s movement included equal pay rights, maternity pay, the right to stand for election and, in some denominations, the right for women to become priests.

This century hasn’t started badly either, particularly in the world of motor sport. Although we’ve had none of the same important political landmarks we have had Danica Patrick winning a race in the male-dominated world of US Indy Car racing and, quite possibly, a female Stig on BBC’s Top Gear.

But sadly this is a message that hasn’t got through in some quarters. Take the Malaysian MP who recently said that “women drivers are slow and oblivious to traffic”.

His comment has rightfully caused a furore in Malaysia, with one women’s rights campaigner responding, "There are women fighter pilots who are better than men so these comments about slowness and being oblivious are silly.”

Speaking of women pilots, its great to see that women are now allowed to fly on the frontline all over the world.

Although there were many women pilots flying with the RAF in WW2, none saw frontline combat action. This didn’t happen until the 1990s when Jo Salter helped enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq, in the process paving the way for the many who’ve followed her, including the woman who this week, as part of our forces in Libya, became the first female pilot to fly a combat mission in the new Typhoon.

Something tells me these women, all of whom have been through a rigorous recruiting process which picks a select few from hundreds of candidates, are unlikely to be “slow and oblivious to traffic”.

Image by miss_rogue via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Cars made of fruit? That’s bananas!

2011-03-30T00:52:00.000-07:00

Now, we all know the importance of eating lots of fruit and vegetables, but Brazilian scientists may have taken things a little bit too far.

According to experts, in about two years’ time we might see cars made from pineapples and bananas.

Vehicle body-parts and engine pieces may soon be manufactured using “nano-sized fruit fibres,” says a spokesperson for the project at Sao Paulo State University.

The fibres are light, but very strong – 30 per cent lighter and three to four times stronger than regular plastic”.

This would mean that cars made with these fruit fibre parts could be much more economical with fuel, since the engine would have to work less hard to move the vehicle about.

This might seem like a very strange idea, but we like the sound of it – it’s pearfectly insane, but applesolutly delightful.

Image by (rinse) via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Possible car-wash calamity

2011-03-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

For most of Britain, spring has finally sprung and motorists can finally wind their car windows down and feel the pleasant breeze – instead of putting the heating up full-whack.

However, a reminder to all who are enjoying the warmer weather – if you plan on giving your vehicle a spring clean by running it through the car-wash – don’t forget to wind the windows back up!

It’s amusing to watch this gaffe happening in films or on “You’ve Been Framed”, but we assure you that when you experience it first-hand, well, you and the car-interior are going to get quite wet.

On the plus-side, maybe you wouldn’t need to clean the seats afterwards, and you could skip that bath you may have needed in the evening before going out.

Image by Ben+Sam via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Stay safe, 'break' fast

2011-03-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you but whenever I miss a meal I find it hard not to become vague, irritable and weak – a bit like Gillian McKeith on her ill-fated and short-lived sojourn on I’m a Celebrity.

This is fine, even if it is a bit unpleasant for, depending on where I am, my family or colleagues. The only problem is when I find myself querulous with hunger either behind the wheel or astride my rather beautiful retro pushbike. It’s simply not safe to drive or cycle while daydreaming about doughnuts or weaving one’s way through a mirage of meringues.

That said, ever since my daughter was born, I’ve been much better about eating meals, even if they are, mainly, my daughter’s leftovers. Because I have to feed her I can’t simply down a cup of coffee before work – I’ve a responsibility to put food on the table.

However, not all women are aware of the importance of being well-fed drivers. A recent study by a cheap car insurance company has found that many neglect to top-up on food and drink while others simply eat the wrong things, such as sugar rich snacks and soft-drinks.

A spokesperson with the insurer commented, “Skipping breakfast and eating sugar-rich foods won’t give you the benefit of slow and steady blood sugar levels or maintenance of energy to get you through the long drive ahead.”

We wouldn’t drive our cars without petrol would we? So why should women drivers risk driving without the fuel they need.

Image by Upaya via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Squirrel damage? You must be off your nut!

2011-03-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Many of us women’s car insurance holders love all types of little fluffy creatures available in pet-shops and visible in UK trees, fields and burrows – others don’t – but we may all be united by this amusing tail.

"In 42 years of working in this business, we have never seen anything quite like this,” were the words of garage manager, Jason Perry.

The event in question occurred when a man took his car to have a leaking radiator fixed. On opening the vehicle’s bonnet, mechanics had a surprise. The air intake system was filled with peanuts, and it was all down to one squirrel.

"I couldn't quite believe what the garage was telling me", said the vehicle owner.

"There were literally hundreds of them stashed in there. My mother-in-law regularly puts seeds out for the birds next to where I park the car, so the squirrel must have taken them from there and hidden them in the airbox.”

Apparently, the animal, delighted to have found a safe place for his hoarde, had completely blocked the filter and the garage employees were surprised that the car was still working.

The squirrel could have caused some very serious damage, but this time the cost of the repair, in comparison with more dangerous faults, was peanuts.

Image by Jack Fiallos via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Confidence, caution and competence in drivers

2011-03-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

I might be gender stereotyping but I can’t help but feel that with some male drivers there’s an assumption that once they’ve passed their test they’ve somehow “arrived” as complete, expert drivers.

Yes, passing your test is a truly important landmark, and rite of passage, and is proof of basic proficiency, but it takes years and years of mile upon mile to truly “arrive” as a driver, and even then it would be a mistake to think that you can’t improve and have therefore stopped learning.

Continuing to work at things is what makes the difference between being “good” and “great”. For example, you’re unlikely to get a cheap car insurance deal if you just plump for the first one that comes you’re way - you’ve got to do your homework.

All great things take work, whether they are relationships and friendships, careers, works of art, feats of engineering or healthy, happy families.

Of course, not all women drivers are immune from the mistake of believing that by simply passing their driving test they have become super drivers, but I’d be willing to bet that in general women are more likely to express a willingness to learn than men - perhaps it’s just because we don’t have the pressure of having to appear macho and omnipotent.

A spokesperson from the Institute of Advanced Motorists says that drivers should think in terms of "professional development and not assume that once they have passed the driving test that is all they need to do for the rest of their lives”.

I completely agree, but that said, it is important to remember the role of confidence. It’s always going to be about finding a balance between confidence, competence and caution, as a nervous driver is unlikely to be a good one.

Image by tejvanphotos via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Loving and hating internet shopping

2011-03-11T02:18:00.000-08:00

It’s funny the way we all want the best of both worlds.

For example, I’m a real foodie and like nothing more than searching out the best ingredients and turning them into a riot of taste and colour on the plate.

As such, I sometimes claim to hate the supermarkets and deride them as soulless, impersonal and eerily alike to each other. Yet. I also love them for their ease and convenience and can get withdrawal symptoms when I’m on holiday in places where I have to deal solely with the kinds of independent grocers that, at home, I like to champion.

I want the best of both worlds from my husband too, the poor soul – I want him to earn money and look after me but I also want him to give me space and let me be an independent career woman. Yes, darling, I understand this is very probably why you “never get it right”.

I’m also like this with internet shopping. Yes, I love the way it levels the playing field and democratises the selling process, but I also miss the human interaction and tangible experience that I used to get from going out and buying things directly from shops

Nowadays, if I want to buy a book, a film, a mattress, a car – anything – I don’t just go to the high street and buy the first thing I see, I actually get to compare items from literally hundreds of vendors until I’ve found the right product at the right price. And although I get a cheap deal, is it possible to put a value on the human exchanges I’m missing out on?

One area where I’m certainly glad it’s possible to shop online is the car insurance market. No longer do I have to phone broker after broker and insurer after insurer looking for a cheap quote for woman driver insurance (the kind of human exchange I can do without), like CoverGirl’s customers I just do it online, in minutes, which gives me more time and money to do things that I love – hurray!

Saving you money. Why our aim is still the same.

2011-03-04T03:08:00.000-08:00

To read all the headlines this week about the recent European Court of Justice decision to end gender-based discrimination by insurance companies you would think that every last woman driver in Britain has already abandoned hope of ever obtaining a cheap car insurance policy.

Yet, to look closer at the ruling is to discover that women will still be receiving cheaper policies than men all the way up until nine days from the end of 2012.

What happens after this date though is purely a matter for conjecture and no one appears to be able to confidently predict the future. Will the insurance market be fairer? Or will women drivers suffer costlier premiums as boy racers are released en masse onto the streets of Britain, terrifying road users and causing accidents?

What’s clear though is that specialist women’s car insurance is unlikely to disappear, even post-2012.

This is because there is nothing wrong with an insurer aiming its services at those customers it believes it can offer better value to.

So, if you’re one of the many who’ve already saved hundreds of pounds on the price of your premium by being insured with CoverGirl, fear not - we’re not going anywhere and will continue trying to supply the cheapest policies available for responsible woman drivers.

Image © Cedric Puisney via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Sumo like it hot

2011-02-25T05:57:00.000-08:00

As women drivers, we may all sometimes get a little irritated by the car adverts which show scantily, or tightly-clad ladies sprawled over a car bonnet - well it seems as if Subaru’s marketing people think it’s time for change too.

Some of the car manufacturer’s biggest rivals are releasing adverts which contain models in bikinis this month, so, what has Subaru decided to have on their adverts? Sumo wrestlers.

You read it correctly.

To advertise the new Forester model in an amusing way, whilst also, we feel, gently mocking their competitors, the company has created a selection of adverts containing sumo wrestlers in model poses, such as atop the sturdy looking car, with a rather provocative tagline.

We thank Subaru for the amusement they have provided and for having fun with the occasionally tiresome alluring-car-model stereotype. Bravo!

Image © bamatuskey via photobucket

Hooning donkeys

2011-02-18T02:45:00.000-08:00

It is rare to see a bad news story about young women drivers. Usually, with perceptions of reckless young male drivers abounding, we, in comparison, come out looking whiter than a pair of David Beckham’s Armani briefs.

That’s why when reading a news story this week, which was headlined “Young women the worst speeding drivers on beaches” I had to do a double take.

Er, no, I think that should read “men”. Sub editors these days, rubbish.

But no, scanning down the article, I found that there exists a whole culture of girl racers, well, in New Zealand anyway.

It seems that these girl “hooners”, as the Kiwi press has christened them, can’t resist the thrill of the open beachfront.

“[These young women] drive fast in the sand because they are concerned about getting stuck. They don't seem to be able to drive to the conditions,” said one police officer.

He also said that the problem was so bad that the police appear to have given up hope. An officer who has patrolled the Waitarere and Foxton beaches for six years said, “We cannot do much about speeding. I have warned over 100 drivers. It is mainly having the police presence on the beach."

I must confess, I myself have form on the beachfront front. When I was at the tender age of seven, enjoying a mid-summer’s day in Blackpool, I suddenly, rudely, found myself clutching for dear life onto the neck of the most cross and uncooperative high-velocity donkey I imagine the world has ever seen.

Speeding donkeys are quite enough for me, so on behalf of CoverGirl car insurance, can I use this opportunity to say just how much I hope the beach hoons don’t make it to Britain.

Is the new Stig a woman driver?

2011-02-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

Is the new Stig a woman, I certainly hope so. It would be a fantastic revelation in the same week that the unreconstructed sexism of certain former Sky Sports commentators has been hitting the headlines.

There will, of course, be no revelations though. Not if Jeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear team have anything to do with it. All we need to do is remember how unsentimentally the previous Stig was treated after disclosing in his book that he was the face behind the mask.

And even if Jeremy Clarkson himself knows, he’s certainly not letting on, “People are always asking me who The Stig is and now, for once, I can honestly say, ‘I don’t know’.”

But this has not stopped the speculation; and, interestingly, much of it is that the job of the most mysterious figure in motorsport has gone to a woman.

The chief suspect is one Sabine Schmitz, a 41-year-old German former racing driver.

Perhaps if Top Gear had bought the new Stig’s woman car insurance policy with us, I might be able to tell you whether it was indeed Schmitz who has the job.

But I wouldn’t be able to tell you that though, would I…

Suspect female suspect

2011-01-21T05:39:00.000-08:00

I suppose the easy thing to say about this particular item would be: “He’ll have to try harder than that to get a cheap deal on women’s car insurance!”

The man in question is a Sydney police officer, caught and charged recently for behaving in an offensive manner whilst off-duty.

Patrolling colleagues discovered him sat in the back of his police car at 10.40pm, parked in an unlit street in the West of the city.

On the seat next to him were his uniform and police issue gun-belt. And how shall we put it, his disguise as a woman was not very convincing.

It’s not a pretty picture.

The man, who had six years of police work behind him, was fined $500 (a little over £300), but it was not recorded whether he lost his job.

I’m inclined to think that a man’s ability (or lack of it) to dress prescriptively in his free time shouldn’t have to affect his status at work. But needless to say, the fact that he was caught in a police vehicle - and sat next to his own police uniform – shines a less than professional light on the Sydney police force.

I expect that in this country, his behaviour would result in an instant dismissal – and probably an inquiry of some drawn-out and expensive kind. But I’d like to think that in the more laid-back antipodes a cop could be caught cross-dressing by his mates; be teased mercilessly about it for a while; and afterwards be given the chance to get back on with his job (and his out-of-hours hobbies) in peace.

Sheilas come off the wheels

2011-01-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

It’s a bit weird, isn’t it? I’m talking about that bit in the Sheilas’ Wheels advert where the brunette Shelia says: “..and visit our ace website!” with her all-too-English accent.

Everything else in the commercial has been in the same mock-Australian tone we’re used to from the popular ladies’ car insurance firm, and then she goes and drops this accent bombshell.

The joke kind of derails.

I mean, everybody knows Sheilas’ Wheels is a UK company – it’s actually a subsidiary of Esure. And we knew that in all probability the three women who star in their adverts aren’t actually Australian (in fact, one of them is. The other two are from the UK).

But for the sake of the antipodean joke that is the foundation of their entire brand, you’d think she could fake it, right?

As it turns out, copywriters at Sheilas’ Wheels also seem rather keen to distance themselves from the Australian identity they have carved out over the past six years. “No, we're not Australian and we don't sell insurance in Australia” is a mantra that appears over and over again on the company’s webpages.

So why the about face - why try deliberately to undermine the gag? Nobody really believes that an Australian-only insurance company would be advertising on British telly – and telling the joke this way is about as funny as forgetting the punchline.

In fact, the firm’s website is riddled with such strange inconsistencies. On one page for instance, pictures of the Sheilas are accompanied by their autographed signatures – all of which read ‘Sheila’. Yet on the next, the women are identified as Cathi, Emma and Carly.

We can only speculate as to the explanation for this. Maybe after six years of the same women’s car insurance marketing strategy, some staff at Sheilas’ have started to really believe they are Australian. Maybe the Sheilas themselves have started to believe it (in one case, they would be right).

But in any case: maybe it’s time for a new marketing strategy?

Drugalysers good news for car insurance

2011-01-17T04:38:00.000-08:00

It’s long been a paradox that although police have it within their power to breathalyse suspected drink drivers, there has been no effective on-the-spot testing for suspected drug-drivers.

In this regard, we in the UK lag behind many other developed nations. Spain, Croatia and Australia are all have methods for ensuring that drug-drivers are tested on-the-spot for the presence of drugs such as ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis.

However, here in the UK, if a driver is pulled over by police, he or she must perform a series of tasks, such as touching their finger to their nose, estimating the passing of 30 seconds, standing on one leg, and walking in a straight line.

Although these tests might be useful indicators of a driver’s fitness to drive, they are hardly scientific and do not compare favourably with the saliva-testing machines set to be approved by the Home Office.

Mike Penning, the Road Safety Minister, commented, “Drug drivers show a flagrant disregard for the law and put the lives of responsible motorists at risk.

"This announcement means that we are a step closer to making sure that the Police have the equipment they need to tackle this selfish minority more effectively and make the roads safer for everyone.”

It also means that, if we’re able to get a section of dangerous drivers off the road, we’re a step closer to making car insurance just a little bit cheaper.

Take the second exit – oh sorry, my mistake!

2011-01-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

I know many people who have love-hate relationships with their sat-nav.

Some motorists rely heavily upon these devices to find their way anywhere they haven’t ventured before, but if they’re put in a bad mood because of traffic or after being instructed to drive down a dead-end road, they shout at the sat-nav as if its feelings could be hurt.

Here’s some news – in the future there’s a possibility that the emotionless little sat-nav’s feelings could really be hurt by a driver’s anger towards it.

The head of an "emotional robotics" group at Cambridge University is trying to create computers capable of detecting different emotions in human voices, and then reacting accordingly.

The professor explains, "If a driver was stressed, [the sat-nav] could stop a mobile phone from ringing, turn the radio off and even stop giving instructions until the driver had recovered his composure."

The aim of the invention would be to relieve the stress which can sometimes be caused while driving. I can’t wait to hear a sat-nav apologise for telling me to drive across farmland or through a new office building to reach my destination!

Cheaper car insurance for women

2011-01-04T04:02:00.000-08:00

There are lots of theories put forward to explain why women are safer drivers than men and deserve cheaper car insurance. Whereas once I might not have sought to understand the whys and wherefores but instead used this fact as a pretext for waging a tongue-in-cheek battle of the sexes, now that I am the mother of a teen-aged son, there’s no risk of me getting smug about it.

Actually, I’m deeply concerned. Globally, around 1,000 young people die in road accidents every day, with the vast majority of incidents caused by young men.

There seems to be something in young men, whether it is a gene or simply a complex hormonal cocktail, that makes them more prone to driving recklessly – or perhaps something else is at play.

Well, according to researchers from the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) in Belgium, there might be…

The researchers attempted to see if teenagers who play racing video games are more likely to go on to become reckless and excessively dangerous drivers.

Using an anonymous questionnaire to monitor driver behavior, the researchers found that those who play driving games, which, let us remember, are mostly boys, were far more likely to speed and drive recklessly once they become licensed.

Although the study shows no substantive causal link between video games and dangerous driving, it certainly provides substantive material for debate, as well as a very good reason why I didn’t buy my son the X-box he so wanted for Christmas.

Tis the season to be pragmatic

2010-12-23T06:25:00.000-08:00

Why are most men so pragmatic when it comes to Christmas presents?

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.

Listen to the weather this winter

2010-12-20T02:42:00.000-08:00

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.

Baby, you can park my car, then I might be impressed

2010-12-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

“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.

Super car for a super star

2010-12-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

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!

Tickled pink and safer than you might think

2010-12-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

Good news for all girly-girls out there – research in the Netherlands this year has shown that pink cars are one of the least stolen vehicles of all the different colours available. Car thieves tend to be attracted by black, blue, silver or grey vehicles, even when eyeing up a bicycle or a motorbike apparently!

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.

Mr Brand new life

2010-12-03T04:52:00.000-08:00

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.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

2010-11-29T08:40:00.000-08:00

Women’s magazines keep giving us new beauty tips on how to look less chilly and windblown in the winter, but they don’t often tell us how to look after our cars during these festive months.

When it’s frosty outside, your car can suffer just as much as you can. While you worry about a runny nose and getting a cough, or whatever horrible bug is going round, your car may suffer from salt!

Salt, which is put onto the roads to try to prevent ice-related road traffic accidents, can unfortunately cause the finish of your car to become damaged.

Leaving salt on your car, especially in wintry conditions, promotes rust – which is never good news for vehicles.

No need to spend money going to the carwash though, there is a product you might be using on yourself which your car will benefit from equally - baby shampoo.

Yes, it’s true, just two little squeezes of plain baby shampoo into some lukewarm water, rubbed gently over your car with a soft washing glove, will return your car to its shiny, pre-salted glory.

Something to remember though: only give your car this little pampering treatment when it’s above one degree centigrade outside, otherwise the water you use on your car might freeze onto its surface.

Don’t get caught out by winter driving

2010-11-26T02:35:00.000-08:00

Many inexperienced drivers or those who have low mileage car insurance will be glad of an excuse to stay at home when winter weather strikes in Britain but with so many of us being working women we may have to grit our teeth, put on our boots and get out on roads covered in ice, snow and slush.

With modern cars, winter driving is nowhere near as tricky as it used to be and there is plenty of advice on the internet to help you travel safely to avoid an accident and the need to call the company which handles your car insurance for women.

Simple safety measures suggested by the Institute of Advanced Motorists include checking before you start that windscreen wipers are in good condition. Lights and the inside of the windscreen should be clean to reduce glare.

Tyres are the most important factor to keep you safe on a slippery road and for optimum safety the tread should be more than 3mm all over.

An emergency kit to be kept in the boot should include a warm coat and a rug, a high visibility jacket, some food and water, a good pair of boots, de-icer and a scraper, a torch, a spade and a mobile phone either with a well-charged battery or an in-car charger so that if the worst happens and you are stuck or have a winter accident, you will be able to call for help and tell your woman’s car insurance helpline.

Multi-tasking man not a myth

2010-11-25T04:29:00.000-08:00

A recent news story has busted the myth that only women can multi-task, but given us further proof that behind every great man there must be a great woman, and behind every stupid man there is either a very patient woman, or no woman at all.

In the case of the man who was recently videoed reading a book, looking at his Kindle and talking on his mobile phone, all at once, while driving at 60mph in America, we can only hope that there was not a woman behind this insanity.

Just as in the UK, it is against the law to drive while using a mobile phone in the US. There probably aren’t any direct laws against using a Kindle yet, but it seems to me like it might be just a little bit distracting.

How gripping has a book got to be before you really can’t put it down? Furthermore, how can a book be that gripping, but not so gripping that you can’t delve into your Kindle e-book too, and not mind being interrupted by a phone call? In fact, how can you be happy to do all these things and not be much more comfortable staying at home on your sofa?

I suppose that every now and then there comes a time in every man’s life when he feels the need to go on a little road-trip, then remembers that he’s been meaning to get back to those two books he started, and really needs to catch up with that friend too.

Madness.