Minor bumps 'cause higher costs'

Posted :02-08-2007

Although many people buy car insurance to provide assistance should their car be written off or in need of larger repairs, a new report has revealed that luxury vehicles may sustain more damage in low-speed incidents.

According to tests undertaken by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, significant costs may be incurred when an expensive car is damaged in a collision of three to six mph - with the repair bill being much more than for a non-luxury car.

The Associated Press reported the discovery that many bumpers on pricier cars are flimsy and do not absorb the impact of a collision, leading to damaged headlights, grille or bonnet.

It also quoted the institute's senior vice president Joe Nolan, who said this type of incident should not be causing such breakages and dents.

"There shouldn't be much or any damage in collisions at these speeds, especially to expensive and presumably well-made cars," he maintained.

In related car insurance news, yesterday saw an AA spokesperson discuss the effect a driver's postcode can have on their premiums.

Ian Crowder said that this factor "certainly" makes a difference to how much a motorist will have to pay.


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