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July Newsletter


Welcome to our July newsletter. In this issue we have home insurance as product of the month. Learner drivers can take a driving test again. Driving down the cost of car insurance and getting back to the shops.


Product of the Month

 


 

Home Insurance.

We compare the market so you don’t have to saving you time and money. We use many of the UK’s leading insurance companies and have arranged special deals you won’t find anywhere else on the internet.

 

For a Home Insurance Quotation Click Here

 

We offer a personal service so you will always be able to talk to us should you require help or assistance in anyway. Our aim is to give you the most appropriate policy at the best possible price.

We want to take the hassle out of buying household insurance.

    • Generous No Claims Discount
    • Buildings Insurance
    • Contents Insurance
    • Installments available
    • All Risk Items
    • Legal Expenses available with identity theft protection
    • 24 hour claim lines
    • You may be interested in our home worker insurance policy



Learners can take driving tests again from 22 July

 
 

Back on the road: Learners will be allowed to take driving tests again from Wednesday after FOUR-MONTH coronavirus suspension

  • Driving tests will resume in England from 22 July for all learners, DVSA says
  • Tests have been suspended since 20 March to prevent the spread of Covid-19
  • Only critical workers have been allowed to take their driving exams during the pandemic so they can commute safely
  • Learners with practical tests on hold will get to sit their driving exams first
  • Tests in Wales restart on 17 August and there is no confirmed date in Scotland

 

Learners will be allowed to take their driving tests again this week after four months of them being suspended.

Practical tests will restart in England from Wednesday 22 July, though only candidates who have had their already-booked exams put on hold will get the chance to sit their exam this week.

As part of new measures, learners who commit a serious or dangerous fault will have their test terminated and failed immediately instead of being allowed to complete the examination in order to limit the time with a driver and invigilator being sat in close proximity.

Driving tests for non-critical workers have been cancelled since 20 March, meaning some half a million budding motorists have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on their full licences.

 

Back on the road: Driving tests will resume on Wednesday after a fourth-month lay-off as part of a suspension during the coronavirus pandemic

On average, some 4,000 learners were sitting driving tests every day in the UK before the nation went into lockdown, meaning a huge backlog of people waiting to get their hands on a licence.

With there being 124 days between practical tests being halted and them restarting, an estimated 496,000 learners are raring to sit their exams.

Driving theory tests in England were also suspended on 19 March as part of the wider efforts to restrain the spread of Covid-19, though restarted again on 4 July as part of the easing lockdown measures.

 

Theory tests will resume in Scotland from Wednesday, though the date for practical tests to restart north of the border won't be confirmed until an announcement on 30 July. 

In Wales, theory tests restart on 3 August and car driving tests will resume from 17 August. 

Across the country, tests have still be going ahead as scheduled for those deemed to be critical workers and have in recent months become more reliant on using a car to commute with the public being urged to avoid public transport if at all possible. 

With all learners in England set to be allowed to sit their tests again from Wednesday, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has urged them to speak to their instructor to make sure they are still well prepared and up to test standard before rebooking their driving test. 

 

Driving lessons in England were given the green light on 4 July, suggesting many learners have already taken refresher sessions ahead of the test restart on Wednesday. 

DVSA chief driving Examiner Mark Winn said: 'I know many learners are keen to take their driving test but it is vital they have the right skills and knowledge to help them through a lifetime of safe driving before attempting it.

'Anyone who is rebooking or taking a test should make sure they've had enough practice with a professional driving instructor and are ready.

'Learners should practice driving on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions so they are well prepared for driving independently.' 

Those learners whose tests were cancelled due to the pandemic are being invited to rebook a test first. 

Once this has been completed and we have tested critical workers DVSA will open the booking service to the general public.

 

With there being 124 days between practical tests being halted and them restarting, an estimated 496,000 learners are raring to sit their exams

AA Driving school said it welcomed to return of tests but said that thousands of learner drivers are being treated unfairly over admininstration issues relating to Covid-19.

Whilst deadlines for MOTs were extended and photo licences due for new photo renewal automatically given a seven-month exemption, learner drivers whose theory test expired during lockdown will be expected to pay to take the test again.

Data shows more than 35,000 people looking to pass in a car have now lost their certificates because test centres and driving lessons were suspended during lockdown.

Sarah Rees, managing director of the AA Driving School, said: 'Whilst it is great that tests are re-starting, thousands of learner drivers have been unfairly penalised because theory test certificates have not been extended.

'Many learners will already have faced economic hardship during lockdown and to now have to pay £23 to re-take a test they have already passed is just rubbing salt into the wound.

'We have seen a huge increase in demand for lessons since lockdown, partly because of pent-up demand, but also because people are being encourage away from public transport.

'If MOTs and photo card renewals can be extended, then so should theory tests.'

 

Theory tests will resume in Scotland from Wednesday, though the date for practical tests to restart north of the border won't be confirmed until an announcement on July 30. In Wales, theory tests restart on 3 August and car driving tests will resume from 17 August

 

Learners will have tests immediately terminated if they perform a dangerous fault that results in a failed exam

 

Safety measures have been put in place to protect learners and examiners from Covid-19 and DVSA has published information and guidelines so candidates know what to expect.

This includes the immediate termination and failure of tests if a serious or dangerous fault is performed by the driver. 

'In this new era of driving tests, the examination will be stopped immediately if the candidate commits a serious or dangerous fault,'  Ian McIntosh, ceo of RED Driving School explained to This is Money.

'Previously, the test would continue, which gave the candidate the benefit of a full test experience where they'd be informed at the end of the session that they hadn't passed. 

'This new measure has been introduced to limit contact time between the examiner and learner driver. While this make sense from a safety perspective, it does feel like the experience of being tested is a little diminished.'

Learners who arrive at a test centre for their exam without a face mask can have their test cancelled, unless they have already declared they can't wear a covering for a physical or mental illness where it could cause distress.

Examiners can also ask learners to stop driving during the test to adjust their face masks if they have moved and are no longer covering their nose and mouth - and have discretion to end the driving test early if they feel a face covering has become a safety issue in any way - for instance, causing the glasses of the driver to fog up.

 

Learners who arrive at a test centre for their exam without a face mask can have their test cancelled and examiners have discretion to end a driving test early if they feel a face covering has become a safety issue in any way - for instance, causing glasses to fog up

At the end of the practical test, driving examiners will ask students to get out of the vehicle before they offer any test result feedback rather than deliver the news inside the car. This is to extend social distancing when possible.

The DVSA also warns learners that they must cancel a test if they have any coronavirus symptoms, have been in contact with someone who has the coronavirus or have returned to the UK in the last 14 days.

Mr McIntosh added that the volume of new learners visiting RED Driving School's website is currently at an all-time high and is double what he would normally expect at this time of the year. 

'Nearly 2,000 people in the UK turn 17 each day, making them eligible to drive,' he explained to This is Money.

'Pre-lockdown, 4,000 driving tests were held per day. Nearly half a million tests have been cancelled since 20 March, and with hundreds of thousands of new seventeen year olds eager to get behind the wheel, there's a big back log.

 



Your post-Covid car insurance questions answered

Your post-Covid car insurance questions answered | The Independent
 
For a quote on Car Insurance Click Here
 
 

What will happen to my premiums after Covid-19?

 

The country went into lockdown and the cost of car insurance began to fall as insurers saw a reduction in claims.

Analysis carried out by Consumer Intelligence shows that premiums fell by an average of 1.4 per cent in the past three months. However, overall they have increased by 2.7 per cent in the past year, and average premiums now stand at £876 – so still very pricey for some drivers.

 

Comparing cover and finding the best price for the right policy for your situation remains the best way to save money on car insurance.

 

Can I cancel my insurance if I’ve lost my job?

 

Many people have lost their jobs as a result of this crisis and that will be a real financial strain for most. If you don’t need a car because you’re no longer commuting then think carefully before cancelling insurance. 

 

Unless your car is sold onto someone else or officially registered as off the road via a Sorn then you need valid car insurance – you can’t just suspend your cover temporarily.

 

If you do want to cancel your cover then some providers are agreeing not to charge a fee for doing so. Give your provider a ring to ask before you make any decisions.

Also, if you want your car but you’re struggling with the cost because you’ve lost your job or seen your hours cut then the Financial Conduct Authority has set out new rules for insurers, requiring them to do what they can to help their customers.

That might mean agreeing to reduce your cover temporarily or agreeing to defer payment. You need to have made that request before 18 August.

 

It certainly is an issue for many younger motorists. Research from comparethemarket.com shows one in five young drivers has stopped using their car as they can no longer afford to run it.

 

Can I reduce my cover if I don’t need to commute?

 

If you’re driving less or working from home for the foreseeable then ring your insurer and tell them your situation has changed.

They may be able to offer a reduction in your annual premium and give you a refund.

What if I’m driving more?

 

Of course, it’s not a straightforward bet that everyone will be driving less as a result of the coronavirus. Many people will be worried about sharing public transport or unable to make use of their usual car share, meaning they will cover more miles than usual.

 

If that’s you then it’s really important to tell your insurer and not wait for your next renewal.

Underestimating your mileage and failing to tell your insurer risks breaching your policy and could even invalidate it. That could stop you being able to claim.

 

What if I want a new car?

 

If you think now is the time to buy a new car then you’re not alone. What Car? carried out a survey of more than 10,000 people and found that 135 per cent more buyers are looking for deals now than at the start of lockdown in March.

The website also reported that its new car review pages have seen an 139 per cent increase in visitor numbers.

 

However, there is also some speculation that the government may roll out an incentive scheme to kick-start the industry, and that is causing some people to hold off on purchases.

Rachael Prasher, managing director of What Car? and Haymarket Automotive, says: “Contradictory statements – or rather leaks – from the government over an incentive scheme continue to have an impact on decision-making, too.

“It’s a well-used tactic now by the current administration to ‘test the waters’ through the press to assess whether a policy would be seen as positive or negative in the eyes of the taxpayer – not just those who would actually benefit from it individually.

 

“However, the lack of a concrete statement one way or the other has been an impediment to volume this month, with 33 per cent telling us they’re going to continue to wait for news.”

 

Which cars are cheapest to insure?

 

 

If you are looking for a new car but want to keep the cost of insurance as low as possible then you need to do some research before you start falling in love with different vehicles.

If you choose a car from a low insurance group then your premiums will be lower than if you picked one from a higher group that insurers consider riskier. You can learn more about different models via the Thatcham Research website – which will also give you information on the safety of passengers in different models.

 

Of course, the total price will be determined by other factors such as your driving history and how you will use the car.

Insurers also often prefer insuring popular models as these are typically less expensive to repair.

You can check how much it will cost for you to insure a particular car by searching for it on most comparison sites, even before you own it. That way there are no nasty surprises.

 

Is it time to look at an electric car  ?

 

For many people, lockdown has given them a fresh willingness to look after the planet and that seems to include considering an electric vehicle.

 

While car sales have fallen dramatically this year, sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are on track to match last year’s sales, according to the International Energy Agency. That will mean they account for 3 per cent of global car sales.

In the past, EVs were so unusual that they could be hard to insure but now they are more mainstream, many more insurers will offer cover.

Some will even offer discounted rates because they want to show they champion environmentally friendly motorists. Speaking generally, EVs are usually less powerful than standard cars and so that means they are often considered less of a risk but they are also unusual and can be expensive to repair so they will typically cost slightly more to insure.

 

As with any new vehicle, get some quotes before you commit to buying.

 

Talk to your insurer

 

It’s been a tough few months and insurers have been finding their way through the unusual circumstances as much as any of us.

So it’s worth contacting your insurer with your specific questions and changes to your situation.

If anything you say means your policy increases in price then that’s better than discovering later than you’ve accidentally invalidated your policy when you need to claim.

 



Could lockdown change the UK's shopping habits for good?

 

Could lockdown change the UK’s shopping habits for good?

As stores begin to reopen their doors, our attitudes to spending – and everything else - may never be the same

If we’re planning to splash the cash, it won’t be on an impulsive spend ( EPA )

Two things happened to our spending behaviour during lockdown – the ways we could spend our money were slimmed down dramatically and we took a lot more time to decide what we bought.

With only around half of the average household income spent on essentials, the latest government figures suggest a fifth of our usual household spending wasn’t possible at all during lockdown, particularly on activities like travel, holidays and meals out.

 

Worth more than £182 a week, some households have managed to put several hundred pounds aside in lockdown savings. One estimate by The Share Centre suggests the figure could be as high as £57bn available to act as a crucial buffer over the next 18 months or so.

 
But the shoppers are unlikely to come flooding back even with the shutters up and the doors open.

The British Retail Consortium believes total footfall in UK shops will be down more than 77 per cent in total across 2020.

 

“Retailers have been under immense pressure for the past three months but the reopening of non-essential shops from today is unlikely to deliver immediate relief,” says Helen Dickinson, chief executive of British Retail Consortium.

“A mix of low consumer confidence and limits on the number of people able to enter stores mean that many shops will continue to suffer lower footfall – and lower sales – for some time to come.”

Consumers are being urged to do their research on costs as retailers keen to drum up customers post lockdown offer competitive deals to win sales, especially before the novelty of a physical shop wears off.

“While some people will have taken a big financial hit over the last few weeks, others have saved by staying at home, not having to commute or pay for childcare,” says Lucinda Gregory, investment research & guidance manager at The Share Centre.

 

“Among those that have saved, there is likely to be an initial surge in spending as we purchase items we’ve been waiting months to buy, however it’s important to not go overboard.

“It may be tempting to spend additional savings soon after lockdown lifts, however the pandemic has proven financial challenges can arise quickly and seemingly from nowhere. As lockdown lifts, we should find the balance between prioritising essential purchases while also maintaining some of these savings where possible.”

 
 

But if we are planning to splash out the cash it won’t be on an impulsive spend. At least not at first.

 

With lockdown lasting 85 days, shoppers will have spent longer than usual weighing up purchases, leading to potentially less impulsive spending now that many shops are re-opening.

Brits are now typically taking 22 days to decide what car to buy, 19 days to select furniture for their home and just over a week deliberating on what household appliances to buy.

It will probably be the younger households, renters and London residents – those whose unchanged essential costs take up most of their cash so won’t have been able to save much – who will be first in the queue for the high street tills this week.

 

Young people are much faster decision makers – typically taking half the time older generations spend deciding how, where and how much when it comes to buying new products.

 

But as lockdown continues to recede into the past, other consumers may join them in their prompt decision making, especially on big ticket items.

“Ordinarily we live such busy lives that we often don’t have time to stop and reflect on some of life’s important and more meaningful decisions,” says behavioural psychologist Professor Adrian Furnham.

 

“The lockdown may have forced many people to take the time needed to reflect and evaluate whether they want to move, switch jobs or start a family. We may therefore see a rise in decisive action when it comes to life’s big events as normality slowly starts to resume.

“In the long-term the pandemic has proven you never know what’s around the corner. It’s likely people may emerge from lockdown with a new approach to decision making – seizing opportunities and acting on life decisions sooner rather than later.”

But depending on our personal brand of consumer confidence and how seriously we take the economic downturn, we’ll be more decisive about our spending on little luxuries.

 

The “lipstick effect” is a well-established theory that, when faced with a crisis or recession, consumers won’t stop their discretionary spending all together, they’ll reward themselves little luxuries when they can’t splash out on large ones.

It’s so reliable that retailers often view an uptick in cosmetics sales as an indicator of a spending squeeze.

In other words, especially as we now have places to go again, if you find yourself spending longer than usual considering a particularly posh lipstick or luxury cologne in the coming months – lockdown savings squirreled away or not – you’ll know why.

 
 
 
 




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