Previous
200,000 YOUNG DRIVERS ARE NOT INSURED
Added: (Sat Mar 10 2007)
Minister of State for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman, has provided a boost to a scheme designed to get young people driving safely – and legally.
Dr Ladyman has written a foreword for the web site of Young Marmalade, the specialist car purchase and low cost insurance scheme for young drivers, after being moved by a recent survey by the company. The findings revealed that over 45% of young drivers have been - or are currently - driving as a named driver on a parent’s vehicle, even though they are the main driver of the car. Known as “fronting”, parents are often unaware that the insurance they have arranged is technically invalid and could be refused in the event of a claim.
The Minister, whose responsibilities include road safety, has written, “It makes no sense for parents to cut corners when they help their son or daughter buy a first car. They would do well to look for a safe and reliable car, appropriate insurance cover and rewards for driver training.”
Based on the findings, Young Marmalade estimates that over 200,000 new drivers ever year are driving without adequate insurance cover. As well as ensuring that insurance is taken out in the name of the young driver, the Young Marmalade scheme provides access to a range of new or nearly new cars with modern safety equipment. The Fiat Grande Punto, Renault Clio and the New Vauxhall Corsa included in the scheme have the highest 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The Driving Standards Agency Pass Plus is compulsory for new drivers that take up the Young Marmalade scheme. For the more experienced driver, the Institute of Advanced Motorist advanced driving course is recommended.
“The Young Marmalade scheme has clearly tapped into a huge need,” commented Nigel Lacy, director of Young Marmalade. “The cost of driving for young people has risen significantly over recent the years, often forcing people into cheaper, less reliable cars that lack modern safety features. Young Marmalade offers a huge hand of hope to this age group in terms of safe, affordable driving.”
-ends-
For more information contact Nigel Lacy on 0845 226 1805 or Nicola Smith
on 07787 582586. Or visit www.YoungMarmalade.co.uk.
Notes to Editors
Young Marmalade is a combined car purchase and low cost insurance scheme specifically for drivers aged between 17 and 25. By using volume bonuses from the manufacturers, Young Marmalade subsidises the comprehensive insurance premium to £300 for a 17year old female (£700 for a 17 year old male). The older the driver when they join the scheme, the lower the insurance – for a 19 year old female and 21 year old male the insurance is FREE.
Spend less on the insurance and a newer car with modern safety equipment such as ABS brakes, airbags and power steering is within reach. The range of cars within the scheme includes brand new cars and ex-courtesy cars - 12 months old with fewer than 10,000 miles on the clock. In total there are 54 variations of make and model of car included in the scheme. The average EuroNCAP safety rating across the range is 4.4 stars (out of 5)
The most popular models chosen by young drivers are the new Fiat Grande Punto and the nearly new Vauxhall Corsa 1.2i 16v SXi (in black with alloy wheels and air conditioning)
For those drivers that have recently passed their driving test, the Young Marmalade scheme insists upon the Driving Standards Agency Pass Plus course, specifically designed to provide additional tuition in the more demanding driving situations. In many cases, Young Marmalade will subsidise this additional tuition through a panel of driving instructors linked to the scheme.
The survey was commissioned by Young Marmalade from its own databases and readers of First Car magazine and attracted 1,743 responses. Highlights:
· 45.47% of respondents confirmed that “My parents insured the car with me as a named driver” to the following question: - If you are aged between 17 and 25 and own a car - how did you insure it when you first started to drive?
· There has been recent speculation about increasing the training time for young drivers to a full year. Is this something that you would support? - Yes 36.4% No 63.6%