The Government is actively considering making third-party insurance for cars compulsory as part of renewed efforts to curb boy racing.Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven says the impact of a poor driving record on insurance premiums could change driver behaviour.Officials were already working on the proposal and its practicalities, he said today.Mr Duynhoven was commenting on calls from the Mayoral Taskforce for tougher measures to curb dangerous driving by young drivers following the death of 20-year-old Scott Finn during an illegal drag race in Tauranga at the weekend and a hit and run in Christchurch that killed two teenage partygoers.The mayors also called for a comprehensive review of driver licensing and purchase terms for high performance cars for drivers under 20.Mr Duynhoven said most countries that required third-party vehicle insurance did not have the same problem with boy racers as those without such a regime, he said.“People realise they are not in a position to drive if they have a lot of speeding tickets, a lot of vehicle offences or have a vehicle which is modified .

'Wrong' car insurance could cost motorists

Some people in the UK could save themselves money if they opted for fully comprehensive car insurance, rather than third party cover.Traditionally, third party fire and theft (TPFT) is thought to be a cheaper option than fully comprehensive car insurance. However, new research from Insurancewide.com indicates that this might not be the case for all motorists.For example, the website found that a driver aged over 35 with cars worth less than £2,500 typically pays between £500 and £700 for TPFT, but only £400 - £500 for fully comprehensive insurance."The type of cover you choose can have a significant impact on the cost of your motor insurance and of your overall driving costs," explained James Harrison, chief executive of the website."Our research shows that people who perhaps don't use their cars much or who lock them up safely are still opting for TPFT cover when in fact they could pay less and be more protected with fully comprehensive policy."The cost of motor insurance premiums depends on a whole host of variables.

Progressive Recognized as One of the Most Innovative Information ...

CLEVELAND -- The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the third largest auto insurance group in the country, has been selected as a 2007 CIO 100 award recipient by CIO magazine. Each year, the magazine honors 100 companies from around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

Progressive received the award based on the strength of the automated process behind its Total Loss Concierge (TLC) service. TLC is the only service in the industry that helps drivers find a replacement vehicle if their car is declared a total loss after an accident in other words, the insurance company tells them their car will cost more to fix than it's worth regardless of the age of their totaled vehicle or if they want a used car.

Police look for answers in murder case

Charles Police Department and the Major Case Squad of Grater St. Louis on Monday were investigating the Friday murder of a 48-year-old insurance agent in St. Charles.Robert L. Eidman, of the 1000 block of Pearview Drive, in O'Fallon, was shot to death between 10:30 a.m. and noon while at his business, Brooke Auto Insurance, 2295 First Capitol Drive, according to police. .

'ID check 2nd hand convertibles'

Car buyers hoping to avoid the one million worthless second hand cars on the market can use credit reference agency Experian's Auto Check on car insurance company More Than's webpage.With the RAC urging motorists to take proper care when second hand cars, especially high value convertibles, More Than's offer to check the real identity of five used cars before they buy them could prove particularly useful this summer.The RAC study suggests that coveted convertibles make up six per cent of all stolen vehicles, seven per cent of cars with faked mileage and six per cent of motor insurance write offs.Cabriolets also account for six per cent of cars which have motor finance outstanding. This means that existing loans or credit have not been settled so the car could be repossessed from under the new owner's nose.The weather that entices drivers into buying convertibles is also responsible for a surprising statistic.According to NFU Mutual motor insurance, and contrary to expectations, there is not a significant difference between accidents between the summer and winter months.