Will motoring matters affect how you vote?

Politicians from all parties have hit the campaign trail ahead of the general election in May, making promises on the NHS, the economy and the family.

But what about the motorist?

Sadly, no politician seems keen to woo the motorist vote, even though the average car owner pays more than their fair share of taxes.

In fact, of the £582.6 billion raised in UK taxes last financial year, almost 10% came from motorists.

Duty calls

UK voters with cars and other vehicles pay £26.9 billion in fuel duty alone, according to the AA.

That’s more than UK companies pay in business rates (£26.8 billion) and almost the same amount as the government collects in council tax (£27.5 billion).

Motorists stump up a further £6.1 billion in vehicle excise duties, and £25 billion from VAT on fuel and car sales, company car tax and insurance premium tax.

Let’s not forget the countless hidden ‘taxes’, such as penalties for minor traffic and parking infringements. They must add up to quite a pretty penny.

Exchequer mate

You’d think the generous contribution to the chancellor’s coffers would win motorists some support in Westminster.

But no. Today’s drivers have to put up with potholes, puddles and parking permits. They often have to drive in the dark, too, with many roads now blacked out after midnight.

In a recent AA survey, the state of the roads in general – and potholes in particular – came out as the number one concern for drivers.

It’s no wonder. Experts reckon potholes cause up to one in 10 mechanical failures, costing motorists an estimated £730 million a year.

Potholes and poorly maintained roads are also a threat to road safety, particularly if you ride on 2 wheels rather than 4.

Cost analysis

The cost of motoring is also high on the list of worries.

Petrol prices might have come down in recent months, but many motorists are suspicious of the big oil companies and would like to see greater transparency over prices at the pump.

The abolition of tolls in England and Wales would also be a vote winner.

Edmund King, president of the AA, says: “We will continue to oppose tolls and believe tolls should be dropped from key river crossings, as they are in Scotland.”

Driving bad

Then there’s bad driving. Motorists are increasingly aggravated by poor driving standards.

They would therefore like to see more cops in cars to target dangerous behaviour such as tailgating and use of mobiles at the wheel.

There is also a call for better road safety education within the national curriculum from an early age.

But do Britain’s 35 million motorists have any political influence? Well, votes from Mondeo man helped to propel Tony Blair to power in 1997.

More recently, the AA successfully campaigned to outlaw rogue wheel clamping on private land.

King’s speech

But the AA is realistic. King says: “The AA is apolitical and we understand that elections are not won or lost on motoring issues alone. Health, education and the economy tend to sway the results.

“However, transport and motoring are key to economic growth in the UK and shouldn’t be side-lined.”

The AA is calling on political parties to commit to 5 Cs:

• Condition: remove potholes, ring-fence funding, improve parking

• Congestion: remove bottlenecks, improve bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: remove dangerous junctions, improve education

• Co-operation: remove conflict, improve driver behavior

• Cost: remove unfair tolls, improve fuel price transparency.

Drivers can show their support on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also question prospective parliamentary candidates on their plans to help drivers, assuming they manage to avoid the potholes on the campaign trail.

 Image: Voting by redjar is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 

Will motoring matters affect how you vote?

Will motoring matters affect how you vote?

Politicians from all parties have hit the campaign trail ahead of the common election in Might, generating promises on the NHS, the economy and the family.

But what about the motorist?

Sadly, no politician seems keen to woo the motorist vote, even although the typical automobile owner pays much more than their fair share of taxes.

In truth, of the £582.6 billion raised in UK taxes last monetary year, practically 10% came from motorists.

Duty calls

UK voters with cars and other automobiles spend £26.9 billion in fuel duty alone, according to the AA.

That is far more than UK organizations pay in business rates (£26.8 billion) and virtually the exact same amount as the government collects in council tax (£27.5 billion).

Motorists stump up a additional £6.1 billion in automobile excise duties, and £25 billion from VAT on fuel and auto sales, firm auto tax and insurance coverage premium tax.

Let’s not neglect the numerous hidden ‘taxes’, such as penalties for minor targeted traffic and parking infringements. They need to add up to fairly a pretty penny.

Exchequer mate

You’d believe the generous contribution to the chancellor’s coffers would win motorists some support in Westminster.

But no. Today’s drivers have to put up with potholes, puddles and parking permits. They typically have to drive in the dark, too, with many roads now blacked out right after midnight.

In a recent AA survey, the state of the roads in general – and potholes in certain – came out as the quantity 1 concern for drivers.

It is no wonder. Authorities reckon potholes trigger up to one particular in 10 mechanical failures, costing motorists an estimated £730 million a year.

Potholes and poorly maintained roads are also a threat to road security, specifically if you ride on 2 wheels rather than 4.

Expense evaluation

The cost of motoring is also high on the list of worries.

Petrol prices may well have come down in current months, but several motorists are suspicious of the large oil businesses and would like to see greater transparency more than prices at the pump.

The abolition of tolls in England and Wales would also be a vote winner.

Edmund King, president of the AA, says: “We will continue to oppose tolls and think tolls should be dropped from important river crossings, as they are in Scotland.”

Driving negative

Then there’s poor driving. Motorists are increasingly aggravated by poor driving requirements.

They would consequently like to see a lot more cops in vehicles to target dangerous behaviour such as tailgating and use of mobiles at the wheel.

There is also a get in touch with for much better road safety education inside the national curriculum from an early age.

But do Britain’s 35 million motorists have any political influence? Effectively, votes from Mondeo man helped to propel Tony Blair to energy in 1997.

More lately, the AA effectively campaigned to outlaw rogue wheel clamping on private land.

King’s speech

But the AA is realistic. King says: “The AA is apolitical and we understand that elections are not won or lost on motoring problems alone. Overall health, education and the economy have a tendency to sway the benefits.

“However, transport and motoring are crucial to economic development in the UK and shouldn’t be side-lined.”

The AA is calling on political parties to commit to 5 Cs:

• Condition: take away potholes, ring-fence funding, boost parking

• Congestion: eliminate bottlenecks, enhance bypasses and capacity

• Casualties: take away unsafe junctions, enhance education

• Co-operation: get rid of conflict, improve driver behavior

• Expense: get rid of unfair tolls, increase fuel price transparency.

Drivers can show their assistance on twitter with #Vote4BetterRoads.

They can also query prospective parliamentary candidates on their plans to assist drivers, assuming they handle to keep away from the potholes on the campaign trail.

 Image: Voting by redjar is licensed under CC BY-SA 2. 

Will motoring matters affect how you vote?

How Automobile Accidents Affect Auto Insurance coverage Quotes

by Sarah Cooke on March 20, 2015 | posted in Vehicle Insurance

Every driver, even really good ones, can have a bad day on the road. But whether you simply dinged a parked car or caused a multi-vehicle pileup, accidents can really do a number on your auto insurance quotes in the future.

About 5.6 million car crashes were reported to police in 2013, the most recent numbers available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, you’ll file a claim for a collision about once every 17.9 years, meaning the average driver will have 3 or 4 accidents in a lifetime.

So yes, accidents happen. And they don’t always mean higher rates, but they do play a role if you’re shopping for auto insurance quotes.

Contributing factors 

Auto insurance companies pull the driving record of anyone who’s applying for a policy. Most look at the following factors when reviewing accidents:

• Severity of the crash: Damages from an accident can run the gamut, from simple paint scratches to a totaled car. Generally, the more severe the crash, the more likely it is you’ll get a rate increase or, if you’re comparison shopping, higher auto insurance quotes.


• The at-fault driver: In many cases, your rates will go up if an accident is your fault, but stay the same if someone else was to blame. However, some companies (depending on state law) will quote you a higher rate regardless of fault because you are seen as a greater risk to insure.


• Your driving record: One accident may not affect your auto insurance quotes, unlike someone who has a record of multiple crashes.

Auto insurance quotes vary by insurer

Every company has its own rules that determine how an accident will affect your auto insurance quote. Some might quote you a higher rate because of an accident, while others may forgive and forget under such circumstances.

In some states, such as Massachusetts, there are laws limiting premium surcharges and the length of time you can be surcharged. If you want to know your potential rate increase, ask your agent for the insurer’s “surcharge schedule.”

Accident forgiveness

Most insurance companies offer a policy option known as accident forgiveness to customers with good driving records. Typically, this allows you to have one accident without a rate increase regardless of fault. But it’s accident forgiveness, not “forgetness.” If you have a second accident, expect to pay a higher premium.

Car accidents happen to good and bad drivers. They don’t always lead to pricier auto insurance quotes, but they do play an important part in how much car insurance costs when you’re shopping around for a new policy.

Sarah Cooke is a staff writer covering personal finance for NerdWallet. Follow her on Twitter @sarah_wolfe and on Google+.

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Photo via iStock

How Automobile Accidents Affect Auto Insurance coverage Quotes

How Automobile Accidents Affect Auto Insurance Quotes

by Sarah Cooke on March 20, 2015 | posted in Automobile Insurance coverage

Every single driver, even really good ones, can have a undesirable day on the road. But whether you merely dinged a parked car or triggered a multi-automobile pileup, accidents can actually do a quantity on your auto insurance quotes in the future.

About 5.6 million car crashes have been reported to police in 2013, the most recent numbers accessible from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And according to the Home Casualty Insurers Association of America, you will file a claim for a collision about when each and every 17.9 years, meaning the average driver will have 3 or 4 accidents in a lifetime.

So yes, accidents occur. And they don’t often imply greater rates, but they do play a function if you are shopping for auto insurance quotes.

Contributing factors 

Auto insurance firms pull the driving record of any individual who’s applying for a policy. Most look at the following elements when reviewing accidents:

• Severity of the crash: Damages from an accident can run the gamut, from easy paint scratches to a totaled car. Typically, the much more extreme the crash, the more most likely it is you will get a rate boost or, if you are comparison shopping, higher auto insurance quotes.


• The at-fault driver: In several circumstances, your prices will go up if an accident is your fault, but remain the same if someone else was to blame. Nonetheless, some organizations (depending on state law) will quote you a larger rate regardless of fault because you are noticed as a greater threat to insure.


• Your driving record: One accident could not impact your auto insurance quotes, in contrast to somebody who has a record of numerous crashes.

Auto insurance coverage quotes vary by insurer

Every business has its own guidelines that decide how an accident will have an effect on your auto insurance quote. Some might quote you a greater price since of an accident, although other people may possibly forgive and neglect below such circumstances.

In some states, such as Massachusetts, there are laws limiting premium surcharges and the length of time you can be surcharged. If you want to know your prospective price enhance, ask your agent for the insurer’s “surcharge schedule.”

Accident forgiveness

Most insurance firms offer a policy selection identified as accident forgiveness to consumers with excellent driving records. Usually, this allows you to have 1 accident without a price boost regardless of fault. But it’s accident forgiveness, not “forgetness.” If you have a second accident, expect to pay a greater premium.

Automobile accidents take place to very good and undesirable drivers. They do not constantly lead to pricier auto insurance coverage quotes, but they do play an crucial part in how considerably vehicle insurance charges when you are shopping about for a new policy.

Sarah Cooke is a employees writer covering individual finance for NerdWallet. Comply with her on Twitter @sarah_wolfe and on Google+.

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Photo by means of iStock

How Automobile Accidents Affect Auto Insurance Quotes

How Helmet Laws Affect Motorcycle Insurance Rates

by Alice Holbrook on February 12, 2015 | posted in Vehicle Insurance

For some motorcyclists, wearing a helmet defeats the purpose of riding. Like-minded bikers have effectively campaigned to make helmets optional for most or all riders in 31 states. And where riders can go without having helmets, many do. For instance, the University of Michigan’s Transportation Analysis Institute discovered that helmet use dropped by nearly a quarter amongst riders in crashes after the state eased helmet laws in 2012.

But not wearing a helmet is riskier and can be costly — for bikers and non-bikers alike.

Higher medical expenses outcome in greater premiums

When riders get on the road without having a helmet, there’s a higher likelihood they’ll suffer a serious injury. Much more extreme injuries could lead to far more expensive medical bills, which would improve the quantity insurers pay on a claim.

In 2013, the Highway Loss Data Institute identified that Michigan motorcycle insurers’ losses were 51% larger right after the helmet law adjust. On the other hand, the Centers for Disease Handle estimates that helmet use amongst U.S. bikers saved $ 3 billion in 2010.

When motorcycle insurers face higher charges, they should make up for losses somehow. A single alternative is raising customers’ prices. In that case, motorcyclists might get decrease premiums by taking a motorcycle security course or being an knowledgeable rider. But it assists to reside in a state where insurance coverage organizations have a low rate of losses.

Exposed and uninsured

Riding without helmets isn’t the only way motorcyclists contribute to greater prices for other bikers. According to the National Highway Targeted traffic Security Administration, unhelmeted riders tend to be uninsured, which comes with other charges.

For one particular, a higher number of uninsured bikers final results in greater premiums for insured bikers, just as a high level of uninsured drivers raises prices for insured drivers. Motorcyclists might want to acquire added insurance coverage as protection against uninsured bikers, but that would also raise their rates.

Bikers who get injured need to have therapy, no matter no matter whether they’re insured. If they’re uninsured, their treatment — which could cost thousands of dollars — is often funded by public health applications. This signifies greater expenses for taxpayers.

The bottom line

Risky riders price insurance businesses a lot more. And study following study has shown that riding with out a helmet is risky. This risk is reflected in helmetless riders’ own insurance prices, but some of it is also spread among other riders and residents of their city and state. Voluntary helmet laws may make biking a lot more enjoyable, but they don’t save any individual income.

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Image by means of iStock.

How Helmet Laws Affect Motorcycle Insurance Rates

How Will Fracking Affect Your Property owners Insurance coverage?

The approach of natural gas drilling known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” has triggered controversy across the U.S. Advocates argue that it promises increased energy independence. For other individuals, it indicates environmental catastrophe.

In the ongoing debate, 2 issues are for positive. The practice is accountable for a lot of the recent spike in all-natural gas production in the United States, and property owners are typically caught in the middle.

Those who lease their land for drilling can see large profits, but some reports recommend that these earnings come with threat for each lessors and their neighbors – and who pays for these dangers can be a difficult question.

What is fracking?

“Fracking entails drilling down numerous thousand feet into a rock formation that holds natural gas,” stated Bruce Everett, associate professor of international business at Tufts University’s Fletcher College of Law and Diplomacy. Drillers then pump a mixture of higher-stress water and chemical compounds into the hole. “That cracks the rock and creates pathways for gas to flow out of the properly.”

Drilling operations are left with 2 goods: all-natural gas and wastewater. There are a couple of wastewater disposal strategies. “You can put the water in a lined pond and let it evaporate, treat it or inject it underground,” stated Everett. Injection is the most debated approach.

Even the term “fracking” is controversial. According to Claire Sandberg of the Rainforest Action Ne2rk, some use “fracking” to describe “the whole life cycle of natural gas wells.” Within the market, she added, “fracking” could refer to the injection portion of the drilling process. 

Does fracking pose risks to homeowners?

Some recommend that fracking risks are frequently overstated. “There are some disruptive impacts of this technologies, which are fairly small compared to its rewards,” Everett said. For example, “fracking is generally not a threat to drinking water in any meaningful way. If it is, it’s due to the fact a person screwed up large time.”

Anti-fracking activists disagree. “From begin to finish, it’s a dangerous approach that presents many dangers to homeowners and communities,” stated Sandberg.

Scientists are still investigating the extent and likelihood of the dangers fracking entails. Nevertheless, many believe a recent uptick in earthquake activity is related to fracking.

“The United States Geological Survey has linked fracking waste water injection to a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma, and there have been other scientific research linking injection to earthquakes elsewhere,” said Patrick Sullivan of the Center for Biological Diversity.

Earthquake trends are less difficult to determine in states like Oklahoma, which have long been seismically stable. Links are harder to prove in states like California – but the stakes are higher. “Fifty-4 percent of California’s active waste water wells are within 10 miles of an active fault,” and several are close to residential locations, Sullivan stated.

Earthquakes are not the only feasible consequence of fracking. Linda Capato of 350.org, an environmental advocacy group, said: “We’ve noticed men and women who’ve had a challenging time staying in their properties due to the fact of methane buildup associated to fracking. There’s a chance that if somebody lights a candle in the home, the property may possibly explode.”

Environmental dangers typically apply equally to those who’ve leased their property for drilling and these who just reside close to drilling internet sites and so may possibly the economic impacts.

Economist Janette Barth notes that fracking is often related with diminished property values – which, she argues, thwarts economic progress in the locations fracking is meant to help.

“Not only is it difficult to get home owners insurance for properties with or near a gas effectively, it is also hard to get a mortgage,” she adds.

Does insurance coverage cover fracking damage?

Nationwide Insurance made headlines in 2012 when an internal memo stating that its policies did not cover home owners for fracking harm was leaked. In response to the fallout, Nationwide said that this was organization as usual.

Bob Hartwig of the Insurance Data Institute agrees: “All homeowners insurance policies exclude harm from such issues as environmental contamination. This is absolutely nothing new.”

Of course, pollution is not the only threat from fracking that activists have cited – and some of these dangers could be covered. Home owners with an earthquake endorsement can get coverage for earthquake damage, even if the quake is linked to fracking. “If there’s a fire or explosion, as a basic rule, that would be covered,” Hartwig adds.

This only applies to property owners who reside close to fracking internet sites. For those who’ve leased their land – in impact, creating it a enterprise – insurance is more complex.

“The liabilities arising from a business are not covered by a homeowners policy,” Hartwig stated. “Any agreements ought to be reviewed by an lawyer to establish that the liability will be assumed by the organization engaging in the activity.” 

What need to property owners with fracking harm do?

If you live near a fracking web site and sustain covered damages, your homeowners or earthquake policy should pay. You could need to have to get added endorsements to cover your threat.

“Many of these earthquakes are happening in areas where men and women don’t purchase policies,” Capato points out.

Property owners who lease their land or expertise pollution and other uncovered damages should contemplate fracking a legal problem.

“If you lease your mineral rights to a business, the contract will say the company has to do A, B, C and D, and if there’s a difficulty, here’s what’s going to occur. It is also potentially covered by state regulations,” Everett stated. “The requirement for homeowners insurance is a comparatively tiny one particular.”

He adds, “The shale gas business started mostly in Texas. People there have worked out, more than the last 150 years or so, how to deal with drilling. A huge physique of law has developed.”

Other parts of the nation have a lengthy way to go in regulating fracking.

“There is a lot of variation in the law from state to state, in terms of how vigorously regulators seek to avert harm in the 1st spot, whether home owners have administrative remedies and what burden of proof a homeowner need to carry in court if initiating a damages action,” mentioned Lloyd Burton, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver College of Public Affairs.

State and local governments will continue to address fracking as it develops. In the meantime, property owners in some states face changing landscapes – and altering dangers.

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Fracking infographic by way of Shutterstock.

How Will Fracking Affect Your Property owners Insurance coverage?

Death of the tax disc – how will the new tax disc rules affect you?

The end is nigh for the paper tax disc.

From October 1 you’ll no longer be necessary to display a single on your windscreen – but you will nevertheless have to spend vehicle tax in the same way, and your auto will be recorded on the electronic automobile register – you just will not be issued with a paper disc.

The cause we’re witnessing the death of the tax disc following virtually 25 years is since the DVLA and police now use the electronic car register to check if a car is taxed and so a paper disc is no longer necessary.

So what will the new tax disc guidelines will mean for you? Here’s a DVLA Q&A…

New tax disc rules Q&A

How will I know if my car is taxed?

You can verify the tax status of any automobile, and how significantly tax is levied on a distinct vehicle, using the DVLA’s Car Enquiry System.

Will I still get a reminder when my car tax is due to run out?

Yes, there will be no change to the concern of the Renewal Reminder (V11s and V85/1s)

Will I nevertheless be in a position to tax my car at the Post Office?

Yes, if you want to spend for your vehicle tax at your neighborhood Post Workplace branch, you will nonetheless be in a position to but you will not be issued with a paper tax disc.

How does this function if my car is exempt from payment of vehicle tax, for instance, disabled tax class?

You will nevertheless have to apply for vehicle tax as typical, even if your automobile is in the disabled tax class. The only alter is you will not be issued with a paper tax disc.

What if I need to have a tax disc to get a parking permit/vehicle parking space?

All regional authorities will be conscious of the alter to law where tax discs will no longer be obtainable.

Will this lead to much more men and women not paying their vehicle tax?

DVLA and the police take enforcement straight from the automobile register, and the further details held by the insurance market and Driver Automobile Standards Agency (DVSA) indicates electronic checks can also be produced on whether a vehicle has a valid insurance coverage and MoT certificate.

In addition, the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology signifies all vehicles can be spot-checked from distance and any untaxed vehicle on the road can be wheel-clamped.

These enforcement measures have helped to maintain automobile tax evasion at an all-time low of around .6% and there is no proof to recommend receiving rid of the paper tax disc will trigger an boost in tax evasion.

If I’m getting a new car, will the tax still be transferred with it?

From October 1, when you get a automobile the tax will no longer be transferred along with it, meaning you will need to get new automobile tax before you can use it.

You can tax the car utilizing the New Keeper Supplement (VC5/2) part of the automobile registration certificate (V5C) on the web or by phone – 24 hours a day, 6 days a week – or through your nearby Post Office branch throughout its normal opening hours.

If I’m selling a car, how do I get a refund?

If you’re the registered keeper you will be issued with an automatic refund when you notify the DVLA you no longer want to tax the car as it has been sold, ownership transferred or the automobile has been declared off the road (SORN).

For much more information, visit www.gov.uk/dvla/nomoretaxdisc.

Death of the tax disc – how will the new tax disc rules affect you?