September School Run Causes Car Insurance Claims Hike

The new school term causes a dramatic rise in car insurance claims, according to Swinton, the UK's leading high street retailer of car insurance.

Swinton sees on average a 10% increase in the number of car insurance claims in the first few weeks of the new school year as the busy school traffic hits the roads and parents rush to drop their kids off.

A poll of 1,000 Swinton customers found 63% of parents would rather drive their kids to school and wave them through the gates, rather than let them get the bus or walk with friends.

According to Swinton the top five dangers associated with the school run are:

1. Stopping in a dangerous place to wave kids off into school.

2. Children opening car doors onto oncoming traffic.

3. Stopping suddenly to drop children off when running late.

4. Crashing into vehicles when talking to children through the rear view mirror.

5. Concentrating on waving children off while pulling away onto the road.

Steve Chelton, insurer development manager at Swinton said: "Parents should set off on their school run in plenty of time to avoid hitting unwanted traffic. School zones are dangerous areas and drivers must be vigilant at all times. The first few weeks of the school run are particularly bad for car insurance claims as the volume of traffic increases. Swinton recommends parking up in a safe place and in plenty of time to wave children off to school."

Contacts: SKV Communications Michael Travers or Anoushka Foster 0161 838 7770

SOURCE: Swinton Insurance