Insurance cuts for safe cars?

Motor chiefs are calling for cuts in insurance premiums of 15 per cent for anyone driving a vehicle fitted with the latest safety gizmos

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Industry bosses want cheaper insurance for models with stability control

01st September 2006

Insurance figures show claims fall by 15 per cent where cars have electronic stability control (ESC) systems. The Thatcham insurance research centre, based in Berkshire, now wants all new cars to be equipped with ESC as standard - a move it says could save 400 lives and prevent 3,000 serious injuries a year. ESC systems brake individual wheels electronically in an emergency to help avoid accidents.

Nigel Wonnacott, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, told Auto Express: "The industry has invested heavily in safety systems, and in so doing has saved insurers millions of pounds. It's high time that this was recognised with lower premiums for customers."

In Britain, only four new cars in 10 come fitted with ESC as standard. Thatcham Crash Laboratory Manager Matthew Avery said: "ESC should be as commonplace as ABS or airbags.

"It costs only around £50 to manufacture. And the cheapest way to fit it is as standard - so why not just do it?" Visit www.thatcham.org to see if the vehicle you want to buy has ESC.