Christmas shoppers beware on December 19th
- But Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the safest days, says Virgin Money Car Insurance
Christmas shoppers need to be on their guard on December 19th – as that’s the worst day for car claims, Virgin Money Car Insurance figures show.
The last Saturday before Christmas is set to be the most dangerous day for drivers with around 40% more claims than average, Virgin Money Car Insurance analysis shows.
Its claim figures put December 19th as the worst day in the month for car insurance claims including accidents and thefts from vehicles and experts believe that is down to the late shopping rush as more drivers take to the roads with more presents in cars.
But festive spirit reigns on Christmas Day and Boxing Day which are the two safest days on the road in December. Insurance claims on Christmas Day are a seventh of the average while Boxing Day claims are less than half the average.
Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, said: “Christmas is a time for giving but maybe drivers should be giving the car a miss on December 19th if they want to keep their no-claims bonus.
“With more drivers on the road and cars potentially loaded up with presents it can be a dangerous time for claims. However it is good to see that Christmas Day and Boxing Day are safe times to be on the road.
“With the start of many sales on Boxing Day and people travelling to see families you might have expected a spike in claims but in fact it’s the second quietest day of the month.”
Christmas Eve claims are slightly below average for the month while New Year’s Eve claims are just slightly above average, Virgin Money says.
Its research shows the worst day of the year is October 19th as the clocks go back and that most car claims occur in the final three months of the year, accounting for 30% of all claims.
-Ends-
For further information
Grant Bather, Public Relations Manager, Virgin Money
Tel: 0207 111 1012
Kevan Reilly/Chris Jarvis, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 638 9571
About Virgin Money:
- Virgin Money is Virgin’s financial services arm and was established in 1995.
- Virgin Money has more than 2 million customers and offers a wide range of financial products across lending (e.g. credit cards and personal loans), savings (e.g. deposits, investments and pensions) and protection (e.g. life assurance, household and car insurance) to the UK market.
Virgin Money Personal Financial Service Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: Discovery House, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6EJ. Registered in England No. 3072766. Entered on the Financial Services Authority's register number 179271.
About Virgin Money Car Insurance:
Virgin Money Car Insurance is available online at www.virginmoney.com and over the phone via 0800 051 0588.
Virgin Car Insurance, Virgin Home Insurance and Virgin Pet Insurance and are promoted by Virgin Money Personal Financial Service Ltd and underwritten by UK Insurance Ltd, The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4AZ. Virgin Money and UK Insurance Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Subject to underwriting criteria. Calls may be monitored and recorded.