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OFF TOPIC => WORLD NEWS => Motoring => Topic started by: eye30 on May 01, 2012, 22:14:56

Title: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: eye30 on May 01, 2012, 22:14:56
Some of the UK’s largest car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using their phones at the wheel, new research shows.

As part of a crackdown on drivers caught texting or calling without the use of hands-free kits, insurers are imposing premiums by up to 32% and in some cases outright refusing to cover – even for first time offenders.


http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/car-insurers-refuse-to-cover-mobile-phone-offenders.html (http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/car-insurers-refuse-to-cover-mobile-phone-offenders.html)

Is this happening in other countries??
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: asathorny on May 01, 2012, 22:17:31
Excellent......  bout time something serious was done about it.   Mind you, many of the brain dead who do it would prolly just go ahead n drive without insurance....

Do I sound a wee bit cynical ?????  :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Shambles on May 01, 2012, 22:20:27
For once I'm behind the insurers.

As for those who risk it, it's their call...
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Dazzler on May 01, 2012, 22:38:16
Great way to discourage the practice .... :goodjob2: :goodjob:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Ugly Mongrel on May 01, 2012, 23:21:56
I think the way to stamp this practice out is to allow police officers to seize and destroy the mobile handset ON THE SPOT.

If you knew that if you were caught using a mobile while driving that Constable Plod could take it off you, throw it on the ground and crunch it under his boot or rearrange it's internals with a baton, then you might thing twice.

Increasing fines to a substantial amount, and I mean SUBSTANTIAL, would also help.

Have a look at this link, the Netherlands have the right idea.

http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/ (http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/)
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Dazzler on May 01, 2012, 23:25:44
Great link Terry  :Shocked: :faint:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Phil №❶ on May 01, 2012, 23:28:11
Notice how "United" the United Sates are  :exclaim:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Doggie 1 on May 02, 2012, 00:45:36
Great link and India does pretty well too.
I agree re the confiscation law - that would get rid of a lot of it.  :agoodidea:
I mean, they confiscate your car under the hoon legislation so why not your phone?
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: rustynutz on May 02, 2012, 01:24:33
Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you..... :mad:

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   :eek:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Ugly Mongrel on May 02, 2012, 03:24:21
Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you..... :mad:

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   :eek:

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Phil №❶ on May 02, 2012, 04:53:17
Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Ugly Mongrel on May 02, 2012, 05:29:30
Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.

I agree, Phil. Confiscation = temporary loss. Destruction = permanent loss.

I don't know why you single out young people here. It's anybody.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Phil №❶ on May 02, 2012, 05:38:35
Just observation, I guess  :)
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Surferdude on May 02, 2012, 06:20:31
Confiscation is one thing, destruction is another. Pay the fine, get your phone back after 28 days. Most young people would be having withdrawl symptoms by then.
Great ideas.
Second offence = 3 months confiscation.
Third offence = jack boot treatment on the spot. :cool:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Doggie 1 on May 02, 2012, 06:44:35
Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you..... :mad:

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   :eek:

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

Fines are voluntary donations.  :)
And as for confiscation, if it's yet another "three strikes & you're out" policy, people will continue to run the risk and will still do it.
Plus you've then got all the storage issues, duty of care isues, etc etc.
For mobile phones I think it should be a "one strike" policy.
Do it & lose it.
Or don't & keep it.
Your choice - quite simple really.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: rustynutz on May 02, 2012, 12:32:57
Well, I reckon it sucks, just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash out of you..... :mad:

And I just love the jack boot approach.....not!   :eek:

rustynutz, this stupid idea that a fine for a traffic infringement  being "just another excuse to squeeze some extra cash" is wrong. Commit the offence, pay the fine. Not happy with that??? Then don't commit the offence...pretty simple, really.

My first comment was actually aimed at the insurance companies, UM....  :p

As for talking on a mobile, I believe there's a time and place, just like speeding....both can be dangerous, both can be done safely too...... :whistler:

Btw, how many of us have talked on a mobile while driving in recent times?  :winker:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: Doggie 1 on May 02, 2012, 12:35:42
I have blue tooth so can do it legally.
The current law here states that the phone must be secured in a cradle and you can press a button to answer a call & hang up.
If you handle the phone though by holding it, or having it in your lap, etc,  you commit an offence.

Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: asathorny on May 02, 2012, 14:52:40
Btw, how many of us have talked on a mobile while driving in recent times?  :winker:

Never...  My daughter started to once...  I screamed 'stop the car', she pulled over in a panic wanting to know what was wrong.....   I let her have both barrels (I use this euphemism just for you) I then later bombarded her email addy with photographs of lunatics who have died doing this....     
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: eye30 on May 02, 2012, 15:51:59
Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: baroudeur on May 02, 2012, 17:07:36
Some of the UK’s largest car insurers are refusing to cover motorists caught using their phones at the wheel, new research shows.

As part of a crackdown on drivers caught texting or calling without the use of hands-free kits, insurers are imposing premiums by up to 32% and in some cases outright refusing to cover – even for first time offenders.


Just to get it in context.  If motoring offences were to result in loss of insurance cover then there would a lot less cars on the roads.

Third party cover cannot be revoked as it is  required legally although an insurer could attempt to recover any pay out through a civil action.  It is equally unlikely that comprehensive cover would be revoked.

Increased premiums are always likely after being convicted of any motoring offence  or PCN and renewal or refusal of a NEW application for insurance because of  a phone offence alone  is most unlikely.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: succulant on May 02, 2012, 21:39:44
Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: eye30 on May 03, 2012, 12:44:49
Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: succulant on May 03, 2012, 21:43:05
Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...

I don't think those people would last a day with a £20 non-smartphone  :disapp:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: eye30 on May 04, 2012, 15:53:11
Confiscation~?

They will just go out and buy another ...................

Perhaps but the number of people I know who are locked into £30+ a month contracts is crazy and phones are £400 to buy without one.

You can pick up a - pay as you go - for less than £20 and all they would do is throw away when they get their own back .

Or keep it handy for next time they get it taken off them...

I don't think those people would last a day with a £20 non-smartphone  :disapp:

True.

Have you noticed how public payphones are disappearing from our street and even in public places they can be hard to find. 
Just shoved in some corner which is well out of the public view.

Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: baroudeur on May 04, 2012, 16:50:42

Have you noticed how public payphones are disappearing from our street and even in public places they can be hard to find. 
Just shoved in some corner which is well out of the public view.

Have you seen the price to use them?  No wonder they are disappearing fast.
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: asathorny on May 04, 2012, 18:53:31
Who wants to use a public lavatory, Oops I mean phone.  The smell of stale urine is.... well lets just get rid of them all NOW  :goodjob:
Title: Re: Car insurers refuse to cover mobile phone offenders
Post by: rustynutz on May 05, 2012, 04:39:37
Who wants to use a public lavatory, Oops I mean phone.  The smell of stale urine is.... well lets just get rid of them all NOW  :goodjob:

All well and good to say that, but believe it or not, there are actually people out there that don't have a mobile..... :)

And, a public phone is handy if you're in an area with no mobile coverage.... :winker:
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