Don't let breakdowns ruin your Christmas

Don't let breakdowns ruin your Christmas

12 December 2019

One in seven (15%) drivers experienced a car breakdown, road incident or a near miss last December 

Car breakdowns and road incidents put Christmas cheer on hold for some last year by delaying drivers getting home and making them miss festive events in December 2018. (1)

New research from Sainsbury’s Bank Car Insurance(1) reveals one in seven (15%) UK drivers were involved in a car breakdown, a road incident or a near miss last December, equating to around 5 million drivers across the nation.(2)

It’s estimated that in total 1.7 million (5% of UK drivers)(3) experienced a car breakdown in December 2018 with London and Nottingham  motorists most likely to experience a vehicle fault on the winter roads. (1)

As a result of road incidents, 18% of drivers had to miss a Christmas event, 16% missed out on shopping time and 13% were late getting home from a festive occasion. (1)

December car breakdowns and accidents also affected people’s day-to-day activities. More than half (53%) of impacted drivers were late getting to work as a result of a road incident, 37% were delayed returning home from work and 33% were delayed dropping someone off, such as children to school. (1)

Jason King, Customer Director at Sainsbury’s Bank, said: “Car breakdowns are no fun when it’s cold, dark and wet so in order to stay safe and not dampen your festive season, we’re urging drivers to be prepared this year.  Make sure you always carry a few essentials in your vehicle, including a well charged mobile phone, and have a car insurance policy that provides breakdown cover.”

Sainsbury’s Bank top tips for taking care on the winter roads
1. Leave more time to travel. Winter roads are notoriously hazardous, so leave for your journey in plenty of time and make sure you spend rime de-icing your car before setting off. 
2. Don’t get distracted by in-car Christmas cheer.  Car journeys can be a great time for some family bonding including singing along to festive hits on the radio but make sure you stay focused on the road. 
3. Make sure you have an emergency pack. If your vehicle does breakdown, ensure you are prepared with essentials such as a mobile charger and blankets and water. 
4. Write down emergency numbers. In case your phone does run out of battery, always carry round a couple of emergency numbers. That way you can keep your loved ones or work updated on your whereabouts. 
5. Include breakdown cover on your car insurance. Sainsbury’s Bank offers RAC Breakdown cover as an optional extra for an additional cost, which means you will have access to roadside and recovery in the UK.(4) 
Sainsbury's Bank Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Sainsbury's Bank and is underwritten by a carefully selected range of insurers.


ENDS


For further information, please contact:
Sainsbury’s Bank press office 0131 286 0010 / [email protected] 
Notes to editor:
This press release is information for journalists only and is not intended to be a promotion to be acted upon by consumers.
(1) Sainsbury’s Bank commissioned Opinium to survey 1,470 UK drivers from 12 November – 15 November 2019.
(2) There are 33.6 million drivers in the UK according to the RAC Foundation 2018. 15% of drivers were in involved in a car breakdown, road incident or a near miss last December. 15% of 33.6 million = 5,040,000
(3) There are 33.6 million drivers in the UK according to the RAC Foundation 2018. 5% of drivers were in involved in a car breakdown last December. 5% of 33.6 million = 1,680,000
(4) Sainsbury's Bank Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Sainsbury's Bank and is underwritten by a carefully selected range of insurers. When you get a quote we will tell you who the insurer is before you buy the policy. You can choose from comprehensive or third party, fire and theft when you buy our car insurance and depending on which one you go for, you can choose to add extra cover, at an additional cost, for even more protection.
About Sainsbury’s Bank: 

To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury’s Bank online media centre at https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news

Sainsbury's was the first major supermarket to open a bank in the UK in February 1997.  Our range of financial products includes, credit cards, savings and loans, as well as travel money, and car, home, pet, travel and life insurance which we provide online and by telephone.  We offer Sainsbury’s shoppers great deals and rewards for choosing to shop and bank with us. 

We have travel money bureaux at various Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK and a large ATM estate.

Sainsbury's Bank plc. Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Bank plc is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).