L

8 FEBRUARY 1968 vot r28 No 3756

Editor Dcputy Edltor A.sl.trnt Edltor Fcrt rlt Editol

Sporb Editor

A$i.t!nt Tachnic.t Edltor

Editoriel

MAURICE A. 8MITH. OfC PETER OAENIER LEONAND AYTON STUART BLADO,iI IilNE8 ]RELAND GEOFFREY HOWARD,

E Sc'l E ng), ACG l, G I M echE

JOHN DAVEY GRAHAM BOBSON. MAlOxon) MARTIN TEWIS MICHAEL SCARLETI WARREN ALLPORT

Midlrnd Editor

EDWARD EVES

Arr Cdtor Assistsnt

HOWASD VYSE JOHN HAWKINS

Manchot r Ofifco Spoci!l Contdbuto6

HAFOTD HOLT, AMIML AMAET

RONALO BARKER ROGER HUNTINGTON, A SAE ( Deuoit) EOIN YOUNG (Spon)

ilrnaglng Dlr.ctor H. N. PRIAULX, MAF

MAIIT FEATURES HOLIDAY SPOTS: AUTOCAR FAVOURITES TEST: MAZDA 11OS OUICK LOOK AT BRITAIN CAR STEEPEB AND IOM FEBRY SEBVICES EXPRESSWAYS TO THE SEA FOUR SEASONS: COLOUR SUPPLEMENT

LONG TERM REPORT: DAIMLER SOVEREIGN COLEX REPORT WANKEL COMPARISONS DAYTONA 24 HOURS RACE

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REGUI.AB ITETIS DISCONNECTED JOTTINGS

DETROIT NOTEBOOK

THE SPORT

STRAIGHT FROM THE GBID

PICWEEK

NEWS AND VIEWS

TRADE AND INDUSTBY

CORRESPONDENCE

NEW CAR PRICES Last pages beloro back cover

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ITIEXT WEEK'S ISSUE FEI\TURES_P 64 COVEH: Mevagissey, the picturesque fishing port in Cornwall, with two harbours, which is also a popular holiday resort. Photography: British Travel Association.

Publiohed by ILIFF€ TfiANSPOBT PUBLICATIONS LTD., Do.8ot House. Stamford 5!160l. London S.8.1, (Tslo$one: Ol-928 3333. falcgamr: fob\: Aut@{ Iifropros 25137 Londoo). ERANCIi OFFICES: Cov9ntry. 8.1O Coiporltion Srr@r lfotephone: Couinrry 23210); Birminghlm, 401 Lynton Hous. WaloollRoad, Btrmingham,22blTelepbona:O21. Birchtlold 4938). (/orer.' llirf6pr$. girmidghsm.338O8Oi. Maochoster. 260 Doansg.to. MEnchestor 3 lfsbphonc: glactfrisB 4412, Derns06to 3596). Gt6s0ow. t23 Hopo Strast, Clsrgry, C.2, lfa/ephonc: Control 1265-51. Brilrot. I I March Street. Bristot, 1 {folephode: Bristol 2l4gl.2}. Slbocriptid raros: Hom6. I yoar f8t Overuqes. 1 yoar. f,8, 3 yoari t2O 8s; USA 6nd C6nado. I yosr $2O, 3 yo.rr $5 1. Chooge of add.osr4tgaso mte thal four wroks notic€ la r6q!ir6d rogdrh6r with ths Gtum o, a wrapper bearing th6 old rddrqs. R€gi6t€r6d !l tho Gonorol Po( Ofiice es s Nowspgpor. Sacond class privll6ges Sulhori.ed rt New York. N.Y. C llitfe Transpff pubticstioN Lrd., 1968 Pormi6rion lo rep,oduco illurlrati@6 lnd lororp.os in this joumal coo b€ granred only undor wittqn lgrooment, Brief snrccE or c@mont! may (h mado wilh durl oclrcwlqdgemsnt

OUTLOOK FOR INSURANCE lT lS CLEAR that many insurance companies are now taking a considerably tougher line with certain of their customers. This is something we must regard as a praise_ worthy attempt to discontinue subsidizing too heavily the driver who is a poor risk at the expense of the majority who drive safely and rarely need to make a claim. With some companies many of the gdod risks are alreadyqualify- ing for bigger no-claim bonuses and they are steadily being classified into carefully defined groups that warrant possibly more favourable treatment in the future.

Make no mistake: the insurance companies are not just looking around to find deserving cases for better bonuses and lower premiums. They are in business to make money, not give it away. Yet rather than just making an overall and indiscriminate increase in charges, they do appear to be trying first to ensure that claims costs are reduced by improving repair facilities, as we instanced on page 55 of our issue of 25 January, and second to charge the highest premium to those who make the most claiml.

As the managing director of Vehicle and General put it recently, ". we offer motorists a double bonus . . . one is based on proficiency and increases along with that quality . . . the other is based on age and experience.,,

Now that his and other companies are taking a closer look at claims in relation to drivers' ages, they a-re finding that drivers over the age of 35 are thl best risks. yet ou-r readers who have reached that should not be too com_ placent. There is a difficult period forpolicy holders between 45 and 50 when they allow use of the family car by the newly qualified young sons and daughters.

Many taking their cars abroad this year are now beginning to appreciate that the former flat rate of f2 for thJGreei Card was not a bad bargain after all. Some of the terms we have already heard quoted seem to us to be ridiculous and out of all proportion, even though insurance experience is that claims for accidents abroad cost more than for comparable accidents here..

We are glad to see that several of the biggest companies we have asked are taking a reasonable attitude and oiTering Green Card cover at the same f2figure, although forshortei periods. 1O or 15 days, with an additional charge for extending this. ln contrast, other concerns are quoting from f5 to C15 for 1 5 days and, in exceptional caseswhere a driver has a poor insurance record and a fast and expen_ sive car, as much as f S a day. Again, charges of a iixed percentage of the annual premium, up to 25 per cent for more distant countries like Greece and l S per cent for others, have been announced. ln contrast, certainspecialized policies continue to offer one Green Card a year free.

The whole position seems to be wildly confused at the moment. lt is logical that if greater risks are involved in foreign touring, those incurring them should pay. and not be subsidized by the majority of policy holders who never take their cars abroad. However, there is sure to be a lot of bad feeling and we advise those planning to go abroad this year to find out how they are going to stand as soon as possible and if necessary to start bargaining right away.