Insurance discounts for auto-braking cars

A specialist insurance broker is offering discounts of up to 20 per cent for vehicles fitted with auto-braking systems.

Adrian Flux, the country’s largest specialist motor broker, has launched a new scheme to cater for the growing number of vehicles fitted with the technology, which significantly reduces the likelihood of lower-speed collisions.

Gerry Bucke, the broker’s general manager, urged motorists who have fitted the systems as optional extras to mention it when obtaining quotes, and to shop around.

“Where cars are fitted with the technology as standard, the insurance group of the car should reflect this, producing lower premiums,” he said.

“But where auto-braking is an optional extra, it’s worth speaking to a specialist broker to make sure the benefits of the system are built into your premium.

“The technology is improving all the time, and there’s real scope for the avoidance of lower-speed collisions, or at least a reduction in their severity, cutting the number of whiplash claims significantly.

“This should ultimately then save money for all drivers, not just those with this technology fitted.”

Auto-braking systems use sensors to judge the speed of your vehicle and that of the vehicle in front, and will automatically apply the brakes if it detects an imminent collision.

In the US, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that owners of Volvos fitted with the technology make 25 per cent fewer claims than owners of equivalent vehicles without auto-braking.

“Our new scheme should help the owners of vehicles fitted with this technology reap the benefits for driving a safer vehicle,” said Mr Bucke.