Minor vehicle damage pushing up claims costs
Driving instructors are facing claims of up to £3,000 as a result of minor vehicle damage incurred during lessons.
Clipped wing mirrors and damaged bumpers are among the most common issues that driving instructors face, and although the damage may appear minor the repair costs can be between £1,500 and £3,000.
This is due to the modern technology kept in many new model bumpers and wing mirrors such as cameras and sensors used by the vehicle as driving aids.
Meanwhile, a study carried out by driving instructor insurance specialists Everywhen found that 46% of driving instructors said building confidence was their biggest challenge, followed by correcting bad habits (18%), teaching road awareness (15%) and confidence driving on busy roads (11%).
Symon Weedon, head of sales and business development at Everywhen, said: “As learner drivers are still building their skills and confidence on the road, it can lead to damage to vehicles, even if instructors react quickly. Driving instructor claims are most likely to involve lower-speed incidents. Even what appears to be minor damage can result in claims of up to £3,000.
“An accident can mean more than just a repair bill for instructors. It can lead to cancelled lessons, loss of income and disruption for learners.”
