Autoblog

These are the most- and least-expensive states for car insurance

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:59:00 EST

When it comes to owning cars, we all have to - or should, anyway - pay for auto insurance, but just like many laws vary state to state, so too do insurance rates. Insure.com broke down all 50 states and Washington, D.C. based on rates supplied by the nation's six major insurance companies (Allstate, State Farm, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and Farmers).

This state-by-state comparison showed that drivers in Maine are paying $1,765 less per year than drivers in Louisiana. Why is that? According to the study, Louisiana drivers turn in more comprehensive damage claims and have a higher rate of hiring lawyers. Plus, Louisiana allows claims under $50,000 to be heard by elected judges rather than going through a jury trial. Maine, on the other hand, benefits from a graduated license program and has more rural driving. Michigan and Georgia join Louisiana at the top of the list, while North Carolina and Iowa round out the lowest three states.

Head on over to Insure.com to see where your state ranks on the list.

These are the most- and least-expensive states for car insurance originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Million Moms says Geico car insurance ad promotes bestiality [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos

The last time the group One Million Moms got upset about a commercial promoting bestiality was seven months ago. The offensive ad that time was a Skittles commercial that began and ended with a girl making out with a CGI walrus. Just in case you didn't get that, a real live human girl was making out with a real live computer-generated walrus, and One Million Moms (an organization which is, by their own admission, only thousands of moms) publicly wailed and gnashed their teeth over the promotion of bestiality.

Now new charges of unsavory love of animals have been leveled at a Geico commercial featuring repeat character Maxwell the Pig. Maxwell's a CGI swine who's been placed in various situations for more than a year, promoting car insurance giant Geico and its app that allows Maxwell to get speedy service 24 hours a day. In the latest spot, he's on a date and when his car breaks down in a secluded area, and his date isn't in such a hurry for the tow truck to arrive. From where we sit, the way it plays out, though, is totally harmless; most kids wouldn't even get the suggestion, and any kid ought to know that girls just don't get down like that with digital pigs.

One Million Moms has its eye on Geico, though, saying, "A bridesmaid was flirting with the gecko in a different commercial, so this is just becoming a norm for GEICO it seems." If you think you can stand the filth, the commercial at issue is below.

Continue reading One Million Moms says Geico car insurance ad promotes bestiality [w/video]

One Million Moms says Geico car insurance ad promotes bestiality [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS study says most crash avoidance tech actually working [w/video]

Chris Tutor — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Luxury

Are collision avoidance systems, automatic braking and adaptive headlights worth their extra cost? A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute says yes.

Those three new automotive technologies seem to reduce crashes. Matt Moore, VP of HLDI says, "So far, forward collision technology is reducing claims, particularly for damage to other vehicles, and adaptive headlights are having an even bigger impact than we had anticipated."

The study "how each feature affected claim frequency under a variety of insurance coverages for damage and injuries." The analysts says their data indicates that avoidance systems offered on Acura and Mercedes-Benz lowered property damage liability (PDL) claims by 14 percent. Volvo models equipped with similar equipment saw a 10-percent improvement.

Volvo's numbers, however, may have been skewed by the fact their system is bundled with lane departure and fatigue warning devices. The study surprisingly showed that lane departure alert systems seemed to actually increase crash claims.

"Lane departure warning may end up saving lives down the road, but so far, these particular versions aren't preventing insurance claims," Moore says. "It may be that drivers are getting too many false alarms, which could make them tune out the warnings or turn them off completely. Of course, that doesn't explain why the systems seem to increase claim rates, but we need to gather more data to see if that's truly happening."

The HLDI is a non-profit affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

See video below for more information from David Zuby, chief research officer with IIHS.

Continue reading IIHS study says most crash avoidance tech actually working [w/video]

IIHS study says most crash avoidance tech actually working [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK to use gas station cameras to automatically stop fueling of uninsured cars? [w/poll]

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, UK

The British sure love their surveillance cameras, don't they? As if living in the police state that is modern Great Britain isn't bad enough for motorists, what with all the speed cameras and the like, there's a new plan afoot: Keep the uninsured from pumping gas.

According to The Mirror, a new government proposal would have surveillance cameras at gas stations determine whether a vehicle carries valid insurance and registration before turning on the pumps. Automatic license plate recognition is already in place at thousands of British fueling stations, acting as a deterrent to driving off without paying. The new measure would be as simple as allowing the systems to cross-reference databases of the national Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, according to the report.

One in 25 drivers in the UK are uninsured, according to The Mirror - some 1.4 million motorists. While the report calls this rate "one of the worst records in western Europe," it's far better than here in the United States.

According to data from 2009, published by USA Today, nearly 14 percent of U.S. drivers, or one in seven, has no insurance. In that report, the south stood atop the list of U.S. states with the highest rates of uninsured drivers, with Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahama and Alabama all topping 20 percent.

What do you think about this initiative? Is it it a good idea or a bad one? Would you welcome similar legislation here in the States? Take part in our survey below and feel free to leave your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

UK to use gas station cameras to automatically stop fueling of uninsured cars? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheaper cars are more expensive to insure

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Safety

Life is not fair. That's about the only rational explanation we can offer for this little fact of life: A low MSRP is likely to mean big insurance payments.

Citing information from Insure.com, MarketWatch says the average price to insure a 2012 Honda Civic sedan, for instance, is about $2,353 per year, while a 2012 Toyota Sienna will run only $1,111 annually. The least expensive vehicles to insure tend to be relatively large vehicles, like minivans, trucks and SUV's, according to the report. Even though those vehicles tend to be much more expensive than compact cars, they also tend to be driven by older, safer drivers.

Don't think this is just a case of the rich getting richer, however, as expensive luxury and sports cars are none too cheap to insure either. The 2012 Audi R8 Spyder topped the Insure.com list of most expensive vehicles to insure at $3,384 per year. The Sienna had the lowest average insurance cost in the study, followed by the Jeep Patriot and Dodge Grand Caravan.

Insure.com's editorial director, Amy Danise, told MarketWatch that the savings some people think they're getting by buying small could evaporate because of the higher insurance premiums. Her advice to keep premiums low? "Buy the minivan, move to the farm, only drive it locally and make sure you never have an accident or kids," she said.

I think we'll just keep writing those checks to AAA instead.

Cheaper cars are more expensive to insure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You think being a teen driver in the U.S. is costly? Try $18k/year in UK

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Earnings/Financials, UK

If numbers compiled by the Institute of Advanced Motorists are accurate, you better start a successful Internet business as a teenager in the UK if you want to afford your first year of driving. In the guise of the "average" 17-year-old male driving a 2007 ("57-plate" in UK parlance) Kia Picanto economy car, the IAM discovered that a year behind the wheel would run a staggering £11,500 ($17,890 U.S.).

While every single fee but the price of the car was more expensive than those American teens encounter, the insurance premium stood like Everest above the others. Driving lessons were £1,128 ($1,755 U.S.), the driving test was £100 ($156 U.S.), the Picanto rang up at £3,000 ($4,667 U.S.), and road tax and MOT (Ministry of Transport) fees came out to £180 ($280 U.S.). Insurance for Mr. Teen for one year, though, required £7,091 ($12,292 U.S.). That's a year of college - at a pretty good college. And we haven't even got to the inevitable accidents, speed camera tickets and parking infractions.

Said an IAM executive, "When insurance premiums match university tuition fees, innovative thinking is needed." Or perhaps a few years abroad: the average annual cost of insurance for a Ford Ka MkII for a 17-to-20-year-old is a paltry £1,651 ($2,569) by comparison.

You think being a teen driver in the U.S. is costly? Try $18k/year in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars

Zach Bowman — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Domestic automakers have outpaced their import counterparts on the top ten list of most stolen vehicles for the first time since 2002. According to a new report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Ford vehicles took three places on the Most Stolen Vehicles of 2010 list, while two Chevrolet and two Dodge models also made the cut. To be fair, only the 1999 Chevrolet full-size pickup (read: Silverado) and 1997 Ford F-150 broke into the top five - those models landed themselves in fourth and fifth place, respectively. The podium spots go to the 1994 Honda Accord in first, the 1995 Honda Civic in second and the 1991 Toyota Camry in third.

Even though thieves seem to have cultivated a taste for domestic models, vehicle theft on the whole has continued to decline. NICB says that early FBI crime statistics for 2010 indicated a substantial 7.2 percent decrease in stolen vehicles over 2009. Once verified, that will give 2010 the honor of being the year with the fewest stolen vehicles since 1967. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars

Domestics make gains on unfortunate list... 10 Most Stolen Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheaters claiming luxury cars as farm equipment for cheaper insurance

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Perhaps it's time that insurance companies start taking a closer look the policies they dole out. San Francisco-based Quality Planning agrees, and that's why the company works with insurers to help cut down on some of the fraud found throughout the industry. One area that's a bit surprising? The amount of luxury cars that wind up covered as farm equipment.

Auto insurance companies typically offer discounts for vehicles that are exclusively used on or near farmland. There's less traffic, and therefore it's less likely that the vehicle will be involved in an accident. Quality Planning took a look at approximately 80,000 vehicles insured as farm equipment, and found that nearly eight percent might not be sowing any oats.

One enterprising "farmer" listed their Audi A4 as farm equipment, despite the fact that his or her slice of land was located in Brooklyn, New York. Checking the farm equipment box netted the owner a savings of $389 per year. Another "farmer" classified their Cadillac Seville for special use, despite living in Los Angeles. The Caddy owner was saving $61 per year.

Those figures don't sound like a lot in an age of expensive car insurance. That's not the case, however, when you step back and examine the fraud as a whole. All told, people reportedly scam the auto insurance industry out of $150 million per year. We know you don't feel too bad for them, but you'll probably get a little ticked off when you realize that money is recouped on the backs of honest car-insurance-paying folks like yourself.

Cheaters claiming luxury cars as farm equipment for cheaper insurance originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cost to insure a new UK driver? Nearly $10,000/year

Zach Bowman — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Earnings/Financials, UK

According to The Daily Telegraph, young drivers in Britain can pay as much as £546 per month for auto insurance. That's around $890/month at current conversion rates. The report indicates that UK drivers between the ages of 17 and 22 years old pay an average of £5,957 - around $9,640.

And you thought it was expensive to get car insurance for your child.

Why the steep price tag for UK drivers with Learner's tags? It's no shock to learn that young drivers carry a higher risk of being involved in an accident than their elder counterparts, and as such, insurance companies assign higher premiums to the group. Unfortunately, as a result of these tough insurance prices, it's estimated that as much as 20 percent of UK drivers between the ages of 17 and 22 are driving without any coverage at all.

Additionally, around 41 percent of UK parents are currently insuring their child's vehicle in their name to cut costs. Unfortunately, doing so is illegal, and insurance companies can refuse to cover a claim if they find that parents have been fronting insurance for their young drivers.

So what's the solution? The Daily Telegraph reports that some insurance companies are turning to a black box that measures g-forces from sudden acceleration, braking and cornering, as well as the time of day that the vehicle is being driven and its speed to custom-tailor insurance premiums. Similar measures are being undertaken here in the States as well.

Cost to insure a new UK driver? Nearly $10,000/year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infographic: Why is your car insurance so high?

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Car insurance rate infographic - Click above to view in high-res

Car insurance rates are determined with a host of factors in mind. Objective items like a motorist's age and driving record are the most-weighted factors insurers consider, but those items among a couple of dozens of things used to figure out what your premiums will be. Included in the CarInsurance.com graphic are stats like 2010's most-expensive car to insure, the Porsche 911 GT2, and the least, the Mazda Tribute.

Behind driving record, age and marital status are factors like what you drive, your gender, your state and credit rating. While lots of the factors are things drivers have some control over, a small part of the insurance rate you pay comes down to what company you choose to go with and which policy you buy. Follow the jump for an expanded breakdown of insurance costs.

[Source: CarInsurance.com]

Continue reading Infographic: Why is your car insurance so high?

Infographic: Why is your car insurance so high? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you're required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.

What does 'average' mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent's desk.

Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company's press release for the full details after the jump.

[Source: Insurance.com | Image: Flickr/jcrakow via CC2.0]

Continue reading Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford: Aftermarket replacement parts can be inferior, possible safety hazards

Chris Shunk — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Safety, Ford

Today's autos are chock-full of safety equipment that vastly improves your chances of survival in the event of a crash. And if an automaker wants to achieve the best crash test scores, it has to ensure that parts like bumper beams, air bag sensors and radiator supports perform properly during a collision. But while automakers are concerned about their safety record, in some cases, aftermarket parts makers are more concerned with keeping costs down.

USA Today reports that Ford has called out some some aftermarket parts inferior, as the Dearborn, MI-based automaker's internal testing has shown that some non-OEM parts are made of cheaper materials that may not perform adequately in the event of an accident. Parts marketing manager Mike Warwood says the company was "surprised at the gap between original manufacturer equipment and aftermarket parts," adding that the gap was larger than anticipated. The easy way to avoid this issue is to demand OEM parts when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs, but unfortunately, some insurance companies insist that cheaper aftermarket replacement parts are used.

It makes sense for Ford push its factory-made parts, as the company makes lots of money selling in excess of 24,000 different replacement components. Ford insists that it is merely looking for aftermarket parts standardization to ensure the safety of its customers, along with stickers warning consumers that non-standard parts are being used. Insurance companies and aftermarket shops likely wouldn't be too happy if a standardization process is initiated, but it's hard to argue with oversight in the name of safety. After all, automakers test and build parts like bumpers for optimal safety, and consumers purchase those vehicles in part because of the safety ratings those vehicles earn.

[Source: USA Today]

Ford: Aftermarket replacement parts can be inferior, possible safety hazards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infographic: One car stolen every 33 seconds... and other fun grand theft auto facts

John Neff — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

View infographic after the jump

For as many people out there who own a car, there is seemingly an equally large group of people who want to steal them. The funny thing is that car thieves rarely pull a Gone in 60 Seconds and steal expensive, rare autos. Year after year some aging model year of the Honda Accord tops the list as the most frequent car stolen in the U.S., followed by such everyman-mobiles as the Civic, Toyota Camry and Ford F-150. Ubiquity rather than desirability seems to be the common denominator among these top stolen vehicles.

Follow the jump for our latest infographic that explores the facts and figures of stealing cars. And remember not to be one of the 15 percent of people who leave their keys in the ignition.

[Source: Auto Insurance for Autoblog.com]

Continue reading Infographic: One car stolen every 33 seconds... and other fun grand theft auto facts

Infographic: One car stolen every 33 seconds... and other fun grand theft auto facts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Confused.com wraps accident-prone UK street in bubblewrap. Hope they recycle.

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Videos, UK

Confused.com wraps an entire street in bubble wrap - Click above to watch video

UK site Confused.com exists to answer questions about things, especially things that cost car owners a lot of money - like insurance, for instance. To make the point about how car accidents can utterly wreck your insurance premiums, the site has wrapped a whole street, and everything on and around it, in bubble wrap. The avenue chosen was Somerville Road in Worcester "as having generated one of the highest numbers of accident claims in the UK." The rest is air-filled history. Follow the jump to see the amusing before and after. Hat tip to Erica!

[Source: Confused.com]

Continue reading Video: Confused.com wraps accident-prone UK street in bubblewrap. Hope they recycle.

Video: Confused.com wraps accident-prone UK street in bubblewrap. Hope they recycle. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Minivan/Van, Europe, Volkswagen

In 1974, this 1965 Volkswagen Type 2 (a.k.a. 'Bus') was stolen from Washington State. Fast-forward to October 19 of this year and custom agents at the Port of Los Angeles open up a container bound for Europe only to rediscover said van. Somehow, the Bus's VIN was still in the LAPD's stolen vehicle database. Guess which 1965 Type 2 is no longer headed for Europe?

Here's where it gets a little bit foggy, a little bit weird. According to the Los Angeles Times, the cops and the feds can't find the original owner. And the gentleman that restored the thirteen-window Bus to such pristine condition and who was planning on shipping said Bus back to the fatherland is also a victim of the theft - meaning he's off the hook, but out of money. Because way back in 1974, Allstate ("You're in good hands") Insurance paid the then owner $2,500 for the stolen Volkswagen. Which means that Allstate is winding up with the Bus.

Update: The original owner has been located! Her name is Michelle Squires and yes, she would like her Bus back. The reason that she couldn't be located at first is because her last name used to be Carlson. Says Squires, "I don't know if I could afford it because the restored bus is supposed to be around $25,000 now, but I would like the opportunity to talk to Allstate to see if I could get it back." While we think it would be a stellar PR coup for Allstate, Squires should probably prepare to stay separated from her van.

[Source: Los Angeles Times | Image: Department of Homeland Security]

VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, GM

When word got out that Mark LaNeve (right) was leaving General Motors effective October 15, we weren't at all sure where the soon-to-be-former exec was heading. The Wall Street Journal has finally let the cat out of the bag, reporting that LaNeve is leaving the auto business for a marketing gig at Allstate. LaNeve will sign on as the overseer of all marketing initiatives including brand stewardship, strategy and advertising, reporting only to CEO Thomas Wilson.

LaNeve leaves GM after five years as vice president of marketing and advertising. LaNeve was usurped by the General's own Bob Lutz, who semi-retired in April only to come back a couple months later to help strengthen the company's marketing and advertising initiatives. He is is being replaced as vice-president of U.S. sales by former Buick-GMC boss Susan Docherty.

While his new post at Allstate may not be as glamorous a job as being a VP at a major automaker, the insurer has recently made some hefty profits. The WSJ says Allstate raked in big bucks in the second quarter, after earlier getting hit hard by the economic downturn. In other words, LaNeve's company car perks might not be as generous, but he appears to be in Good Hands.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: One week after announcing GM departure, Mark LaNeve surfaces at Allstate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 Most/Least Expensive Vehicles To Insure

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Lifestyle

Click above for Most Expensive ------------------------------- Click above for Least Expensive

There are lots of variables to consider when shopping for your next new car. Obviously, the initial purchase price is a big part of the decision, but that's certainly not the only sum to factor in. For instance, the cost of gas and insurance need to be added in to figure out the final monthly expenditure. This being the case, we're all keenly interested to know how vehicles compare when it comes to these ancillary charges.

Thankfully, there are experts paid to do this tedious work for us. Researchers from Insure.com compiled a list of nearly 300 vehicles available in 2009 and has broken them out in order of average insurance costs. For the most part, the list plays out pretty much as you'd expect to see. There are a few surprises, though. For instance, coming in as the eleventh most expensive vehicle to insure - and therefore the first vehicle not appearing on our list of the most expensive cars to insure - is the Chevy Cobalt SS. That means the littlest Super Sport in the Bowtie stable costs more to insure than cars like the Jaguar XKR, BMW M3 and Audi R8. Who'da thunk?

Want to know more? Take a moment to follow us along as we take a brief look at both ends of the insurance cost spectrum. First, click here to see the Top 10 Most Expensive Cars to Insure. Finished? Perfect, as an interesting counterpoint, click here to see the Top 10 Least Expensive Cars to Insure. Remember, the prices quoted by Insure.com are averages, so your actual insurance premiums may vary widely.

[Source: Insure.com, Main image by limonada | CC2.0]

Top 10 Most/Least Expensive Vehicles To Insure originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK insurer offering policy geared toward speed camera reality

Chris Paukert — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Government/Legal

UK car enthusiasts' struggle with the kudzu-like spread of speed cameras has been well documented, but to those outside of England, the scale and scope of the issue is hard to get one's head around without experiencing it firsthand. That said, perhaps news that an auto insurer has just authored a plan specifically designed with speed cameras might give readers some sense of the scale of the issue.

Isle of Man Assurance has just begun offering LicenseGuard to its clients for a premium. The basic gist of the package is that it covers transportation costs for one year if you have your license revoked due to speeding offenses.

According to the UK's financial times, there are 8,000 cameras in use for plate recognition, and a further 6,000 dedicated speed cameras. With nearly one million motorists a single conviction away from losing their license, it's no wonder that certain offenders are seeking out accomplices that will admit to committing speeding offenses that they didn't actually commit, paying them in cash or by favor.

[Sources: The Financial Times; Art by Andy Davey]

UK insurer offering policy geared toward speed camera reality originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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