Safety advice for female drivers
From time to time we hear news stories women being intimidated or attacked when they are out driving alone in their cars. This can sometimes make people think that these kind of attacks are more common than they actually are. Despite this it is still a good idea for lone women drivers to take precautions to avoid putting themselves in vulnerable situations when they are out and about there cars.
Stay in contact
If you are making any journey in your car alone it is always a good idea to ensure that someone knows where you are going and when you are likely to get there. It should be someone you trust who you know will call you to check everything is ok or make further enquiries should you not arrive within a certain time. Of course if you are likely to be late for any benign reason then you should let them know.Keep your mobile phone with you at all times and keep it charged. Phone chargers that work from your cars cigarette lighter are fairly inexpensive and can be used in any vehicle - it could be worth investing in one.
If you don't already have one, consider buying a small personal alarm to scare off a potential attacker and keep it in your car.
Keep your car doors locked when you are driving or at least be able to lock them in a hurry if you need to. There has been an increase in car-jacking crime in recent years and you may be vulnerable, even sitting in a traffic queue.
Always park your car in a well lit area if you likely to be walking to it at night.
Protecting yourself if you are attacked
UK law states that you are allowed to use reasonable force to defend yourself against an attacker. This means that you can use objects you have with you to defend yourself but you should not carry offensive weapons.You may wish to carry a personal alarm which produces a loud tone when activated or if you are in your car you could also use the cars horn to ward off a potential attacker.
If you break down
Get signed up with a breakdown recovery service and keep the number in your mobile phone. Most recovery operators will give your call priority if you let them know that you are a female travelling alone.Lock all your doors and if it is safe to do so (ie. you are not on a motorway hard shoulder) and sit on the passenger side of your vehicle. This will make any potential attacker think that you are waiting for another person to return to the car and hopefully deter them.
If you do break down on the motorway it is safer for you not to stay in the car as your vehicle is vulnerable to being hit by other traffic. You can however stand behind the crash barrier but still stay close enough to your car to be able to get back inside and lock the doors if you feel threatened.
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make an injury compensation claim. Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.
No need to claim on your insurance
Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.
We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.
No excess to pay
Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.
By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.
Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle
Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.
Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.
So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.
Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs
If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.
Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.
Legal Assistance
Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.
They issues they can assist you with include:
They issues they can assist you with include:
- Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
- Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
- Recovery of all repair costs
- Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
- Seeking financial compensation for an injury
