Motorists in the North West Warned to Prepare for Winter to Avoid Travel Chaos

LONDON, January 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Leading cheap car insurance provider Kwik-Fit Insurance (KFI) have issued a warning to the North West's motorists to be fully prepared for this winter's anticipated big freeze.

The warning comes as the business recently released figures revealing a spike of 22% in breakdown calls during the arctic conditions, which blanketed the UK last year.

The intermediary was inundated with calls to its emergency breakdown service, receiving a record number of enquiries from motorists who had been involved in accidents due to the icy conditions or had simply been unable to start their cars. According the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in the month of December there were 278,000 claims from insured motorists for vehicle damage costing £530 million, the majority of which were caused by cars travelling at low speeds in icy conditions. 

The North West was experiencing the full force of the weather this time last year with light snow falling in Manchester before pushing further North and East with snow causing disruption to traffic.

With weather experts predicting a similar cold snap this year, Kwik-Fit Insurance is advising motorists to ensure they are fully prepared for the winter months ahead. Managing director June Lynch said: "The majority of motorists were caught out with the exceptional weather conditions last year. It affected people throughout the country and while we were happy to be there for our customers who needed our help, the treacherous conditions really hampered the efforts to keep Britain moving.

June added: "If you do have to venture out in bad weather, make sure you are prepared and keep your breakdown contact details either in your car or saved to your phone to ensure you can get help if you do get in to trouble.

Kwik-Fit Insurance's Breakdown Cover, provided by Call Assist, has a network of over 5,000 trained mechanics who respond to emergency breakdown calls from customers. Visit the Kwik Fit website for further information on their car insurance quotes.

About Kwik Fit

Kwik-Fit Financial Services was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK's leading car insurance distributors, as well as a major presence in home and other insurance markets. Kwik-Fit Financial Services comprises Kwik-Fit Insurance, one of the UK's most recognisable insurance brokers, Express Insurance, a specialist car and motorbike broker and The Green Insurance Company, an environmentally friendly broker who offset 100% of their customer's vehicles carbon emissions. Since its launch in 1995, Kwik-Fit Financial Services has grown and developed into one of Scotland's most dynamic contact centres. The philosophy of the business is to provide the best possible service and products to customers.

Media Contact:

Lyndsay Logan, Brand Marketing Manager, t: +44(0)1324-606220, e: lyndsay.logan@kfis.co.uk w: http://www.kwik-fitinsurance.com