An average of £129 worth of personal items are being left in the cars of female motorists on a daily basis – not surprising when you consider that over half (60 per cent) of women view their car as an extension of their home, with 85 per cent admitting to regularly leaving personal items in their car that belong in a wardrobe rather than a foot-well.

The research conducted by Sheilas’ Wheels, that offers car insurance for women, discovered that 38 per cent of women leave at least four personal items in their car on a regular basis, with a further 18% admitting to leaving seven or more!

The growing ‘after work’ culture amongst office workers means that more than a quarter (27 per cent) of women regularly keep a change of clothes in their car and one fifth hoard make up in their vehicle.  Since we have almost doubled the number of leisure activities that we undertake in the last fifteen years1, cars are often cluttered with hobby-related items too.  The top five personal items most likely to be left in a car by a female motorist – many relating to potential trips to the gym - are:

1. Books (39 per cent)
2. Shoes (35 per cent)
3. Clothes (27 per cent)
4. Children’s toys (25 per cent)
5. Toiletries (22 per cent)

Shoes may come second on the list, but it’s not just one pair of shoes we’re talking about…over two thirds (67 per cent) of UK female motorists have up to four pairs of shoes in their car at any one time – whether they be trainers for the more sporty female, stilettos for that after work drink, or even a sensible driving shoe, they all contribute to the clutter in our cars!

Not only are the personal items left in cars a big attraction for thieves, but they are also putting the lives of drivers, and their passengers, at risk.  A staggering ten per cent of female motorists have had an accident or experienced a ‘near miss’ as a result of stray personal items rolling beneath their pedals.  The top five items that slip under car pedals while driving are:

1. Empty drink cans / water bottles

2. Food packaging

3. Lipstick

4. Deodorant

5. Hairbrush

Furthermore, personal items in cars can be hazardous in a collision.  More than 189,000 women (1 per cent) have been injured in a crash as a result of being hit by a loose object.

Mothers are most at risk – with 11 per cent of parents stockpiling more than 10 personal items in the car, many to provide children with in-car entertainment.  According to the survey, almost half (48 per cent) of mums regularly keep children’s toys in their car.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas’ Wheels, comments: “Any personal belongings, whatever their value, that are left unattended in a car can be easy pickings for opportunistic thieves.  To avoid a smashed window or a broken lock, we want to encourage all women to avoid using their car as a wardrobe on wheels and leaving anything strewn over the back seat, on display.

“But there isn’t just a risk of theft, female motorists seem unaware of the dangers of having personal items loose in the car whilst on the move.  They could slip under the brake pedal or, in the event of an accident, become an in-car missile.  As a rule, a de-cluttered car is definitely a safer car.”

Regional Differences

Women in Wales are most likely to use their car as a dressing room, with 15 per cent storing evening clothes in the car for after work.  The South East has the most gym-bunnies with 16 per cent of female motorists storing their gym kit in the back of their car.

And female Londoners have the most expensive personal possessions, with an average of £143 worth of goods per car and a shocking 17 per cent with more than £250 of valuables in their vehicle.

Older drivers and female motorists shouldn’t be lulled into thinking a specialist insurer will always offer the best deal, according to research from price comparison site moneysupermarket.com.

For example, a 30-year-old woman with a typical Focus, Astra or Megane will find the cheapest women-only brands will quote her an average of £269 – 55 per cent more than traditional providers at £174. Women-only car insurer Diamond averaged £301 for these scenarios, or 73 per cent more.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: “Specialist insurers such as Sheilas’ Wheels, Ladybird and Diamond promote themselves to women as the value alternative, catering specifically for their needs. But our research shows it pays to shop around all of the market. While these insurers may sometimes come up trumps on price, and with extra benefits such as handbag cover, chances are they will be usually be beaten on premiums.”

The message is the same for older drivers. A 60-year-old, again with a Focus, Astra or Megane, would pay an average of £88 with Swiftcover and £255 with RIAS – or almost three times as much.

Richard Mason added: “Motorists shouldn’t only rely on specialist insurers no matter what specialist group they may be in. It pays to scour the market for the best cover to suit your needs.

“With specialist providers such as Sheilas’ Wheels also entering the home insurance market, there is even more onus on consumers to shop around for the best price and cover.”

If you’re looking for cheaper car insurance…Diamond is a girl’s best friend!

Diamond offers cheaper car insurance for female drivers because women’s claims cost less. You could save pounds and you could also include your partner on the policy. You’ll love the benefits a Diamond policy offers:

• Free handbag cover – on comprehensive policies with bag and contents covered up to £300
• 24 hour emergency helpline
• Free courtesy car – on comprehensive policies when using one of Diamond’s approved repairers
• Hassle-free claims service
• Add your partner to your policy as a named driver
• Unlimited windscreen cover - on comprehensive policies.

Get a quote now! Plus save up to 10% extra online at diamond.co.uk.

http://www.diamond.co.uk

Women have been classed as safer drivers due to the fact that they make fewer claims but there are other ways that you can make great savings when it comes to knocking down the cost of women’s car cover. Installing extra safety features, driving a smaller car and keeping your car in a garage are all great ways.

Not only can women make great reductions in your premiums on the cost of car cover but a specialist website will also throw in deals along with the insurance cover which are specifically aimed at women. Handbag insurance services and breakdown product are two of the most popular additional benefits which are often included into the cost of a product or which can be added for very little cost.

A specialist website offering women’s car cover will allow you to get multiple quotes from some of the leading insurance services companies in the UK and all quotes should come with the key facts of the insurance product so you are able to make an informed decision. There can be hidden charges and additional costs added onto policies, so it is critical that you do have access to the key facts of the insurance policy before taking it out.

Going with a specialist in female car cover can help you to find not only budget possible insurance product along with the best deal, but they can also give you information regarding some of the different ways that you can help yourself to make cost cuts.

It has been shown that women are the safest drivers due to them making fewer claims, due to this different insurers now offer insurance protection which is lower in cost as a reward and can also throw in extra benefits such as breakdown and handbag cover.