Drivers of new cars more likely to claim for an accident

Drivers of brand new cars are more likely to have an accident than those in older cars.


It’s that time of year again – the new registration plates are being released. September 2018 brings the 68-registration, and as the month progresses we’ll see more new cars on the road bearing this number plate.

But our research has shown that people driving cars that are new to them are more likely to have accidents than those in familiar cars.

That goes for those driving brand new cars (they’re 21% more likely to make a claim than those in cars a year old or older) and those whose cars are new to them.

People driving a car that is new to them are 27% more likely to have an accident than those who have been driving their car for more than twelve months.

Interestingly, women are slightly more likely to have an accident in a new car (up to two years old), whereas men are more likely to make a car insurance claim for a vehicle more than two years old.

In terms of age, drivers aged 45-54 and 55-64 were more likely to have accidents when driving new cars than older cars. All other age groups were more likely to have accidents in older cars.

The research turned up some interesting results when you consider the kinds of accidents people claim for in their new cars.

10 types of accidents MORE common for drivers of new cars than old cars:

1. Collision in a car park

2. Insured hit a bollard while parking

3. Insured hit a post

4. Insured hit wall

5. Insured hit animal

6. Insured hit a lamppost

7. Another driver hit insured in the rear

8. Another driver hit the insured’s parked and unattended car

9. Insured hit by a falling object

10. Insured hit other

The kinds of accidents claimed for by drivers of new cars tend to be low impact and relate more to underestimating the size of the car. This makes sense when you consider that people in new cars are less likely to be used to its dimensions.

10 types of accidents LESS common for drivers of new cars than old cars:

1. Insured hit another driver in the rear

2. Insured hit a crash barrier

3. Insured hit a parked and unattended car

4. Insured hit a stationary car

5. Insured ran up an embankment

6. Insured reversed into another car

7. A narrow lane collision

8. Accident on a roundabout

9. Insured pulled out from a minor road

10. Insured turned across the path of another car

This list indicates that those driving new cars are more cautious since they are less likely to have high impact accidents.

Commenting on the findings, Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral said: “Whether you have a brand-new car or even one that’s new to you, adjusting to the different size and dimensions of the vehicle can take some time.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just passed your driving test or have been driving for some time, the likelihood of having an accident increases when you change your car so it’s important drivers buying a new car this week take care to avoid bumping their new wheels.

“We found that many claims for accidents in new cars were the result of not being aware of obstacles around the car, such as bollards, walls and posts. Nobody wants to scrape a lovely new car, so drivers should spend some extra time getting familiar with it, its dimensions and size, and the way it drives. It could end up preventing any needless bumps.

“Thankfully more and more new cars are fitted with technology which can help reduce parking accidents such as rear-view cameras, so hopefully we’ll start seeing these types of accidents reducing in the future.”