Over 10 million drivers took to the roads over the May Bank Holiday and the last weekend of August is set to be just as busy, as UK residents opt for breaks in Britain over trips abroad, despite the unpredictable British weather.
Europ Assistance, one of the leading motor breakdown assistance companies, is warning motorists of the congestion hot spots to avoid this August Bank Holiday. The company is also advising travellers to leave plenty of time for their journeys and ensure vehicles are roadworthy to avoid motor breakdowns.
Predicted Hot Spots:
A303 and M4/M5 West bound – routes down to the Southwest will once again be busy. Motorists are advised to start journeys as soon as possible. Predicted heavy congestion is for Friday 28th from 1530hrs onwards.
M1 Southbound – watch out for hotspots southbound from Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham
M6 / M74 to Scotland – the “Staycation” trend is enticing more people to explore Scotland for short breaks this year
M4 East and West bound – Reading Festival takes place across the bank holiday weekend and although good public transport links are in place, congestion is predicted
Routes into Wales – M4/ M5
M11 / A11 to Norfolk
Europ Assistance has issued the following top tips on what to check before you set off on your trip:
Oil – it is important to check oil levels are correct as this can affect engine performance
Water – make sure the water and coolant levels in the car radiator are topped up to avoid overheating. It is also worth carrying spare water in case levels do drop.
Tyre pressure – correct tyre pressure and tread depth are essential to ensure safety and aid handling and fuel economy
Wipers – ensuring wiper blades are in good condition and that washer fluid is topped up will maximise visibility
Battery – check the condition of your vehicle battery prior to a long journey
Sustenance – make sure you have food and water in the car, along with warm clothes and a mobile phone for emergency use
Maps – it sounds basic but make sure you know where you are going, take five minutes to check a map or input details into a sat nav
Consult vehicle handbooks for further information or take advantage of free vehicle inspections from a reputable supplier.
“At holiday times the UK’s roads can be bad enough without avoidable breakdowns adding to motorists’ headaches. These simple checks could help reduce breakdowns if motorists just take five minutes to inspect their vehicles prior to travelling,” says Paul Everett, Director of Sales and Marketing, for Europ Assistance.
For further information please contact:
Kally Carder
Tel: 01628 526208
kally@nobull-communications.co.uk
PR REF: 1868
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Showing posts with label Europ Assistance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europ Assistance. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER WILL NOT AFFECT AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY ROAD MISERY WARNS EUROP ASSISTANCE
Monday, 17 August 2009
AVOID SUMMER HOLIDAY HELL AND EXTORTIONATE COSTS
EUROP ASSISTANCE ADVISES MOTORISTS ON DRIVING ABROAD
Thousands of UK motorists have car accidents while abroad and driving on unfamiliar roads. This can cost travellers thousands of pounds to bring their vehicles home and can also result in serious injury or worse. Europ Assistance, a leading UK travel insurance and motor assistance company, has issued this stark warning and highlights accident hot spots, as many start the great summer getaway.
“Turkey, Latvia and Portugal are the most dangerous European countries in which to drive*. Motorists need to take care in these hot spots,” says Paul Everett, Director of Sales and Marketing, Europ Assistance, UK. “We have also put together some basic but essential tips to help drivers abroad.”
· Plan your journeys – while still at home take time to familiarise yourself with area maps, calculate how long specific journeys will take you. It is also advisable to be aware of specific driving etiquette in your destination.
· Ensure you have Motor Assistance cover – whether taking your own car, a hire car or renting when you get there, the key is to prepare. Taking out personal travel insurance and motor assistance in addition to vehicle insurance is essential. If the worst happens and you are left stranded or hospitalised in a foreign country this will save you time, money and grief. From a cost of just £10.60 Europ Assistance’s European Motor Breakdown policy could potentially save you over £1,250 (the average cost of transporting an un-roadworthy vehicle back to the UK).
· Remember your essential contact telephone numbers – a quick call to Europ Assistance’s 24 hour multi-lingual call centre and all the hassle can be taken out of your situation, however dire. Europ Assistance can even help if your car is broken into and items are stolen or if you fall ill, its European Motor Breakdown policy offers comprehensive cover.
· Check your vehicle before you travel – If you choose to drive your own vehicle abroad check tyres, oil, filters, fluid levels etc before you leave.
· Remember what side of the road you’re driving on! – It sounds simple enough but most accidents abroad are caused by confusion at roundabouts and junctions due to right hand drive rules.
· Don’t Drink and Drive – Most European laws are stricter than the UK’s and any offence could invalidate your insurance.
Last year The Europ Assistance Group provided 2.6 million motorists with breakdown assistance. The company is offering customers a handy guide to continental motoring online at http://www.europ-assistance.co.uk/.
Europ Assistance advises motorists to make sure they are covered for continental motoring in addition to their UK cover. If their standard UK policy does not allow for journeys abroad, they should extend their cover to ensure that it includes breakdown whilst in Europe. Customers should also consider whether they are covered for their journey to and from the ferry port. If for any reason they are unable to take their vehicle abroad, they can benefit from a hire car for the duration of the holiday. Many companies also offer a combined breakdown and travel insurance package.
* Geneva’s International Road Federation Survey, source: Moto Europa
Thousands of UK motorists have car accidents while abroad and driving on unfamiliar roads. This can cost travellers thousands of pounds to bring their vehicles home and can also result in serious injury or worse. Europ Assistance, a leading UK travel insurance and motor assistance company, has issued this stark warning and highlights accident hot spots, as many start the great summer getaway.
“Turkey, Latvia and Portugal are the most dangerous European countries in which to drive*. Motorists need to take care in these hot spots,” says Paul Everett, Director of Sales and Marketing, Europ Assistance, UK. “We have also put together some basic but essential tips to help drivers abroad.”
· Plan your journeys – while still at home take time to familiarise yourself with area maps, calculate how long specific journeys will take you. It is also advisable to be aware of specific driving etiquette in your destination.
· Ensure you have Motor Assistance cover – whether taking your own car, a hire car or renting when you get there, the key is to prepare. Taking out personal travel insurance and motor assistance in addition to vehicle insurance is essential. If the worst happens and you are left stranded or hospitalised in a foreign country this will save you time, money and grief. From a cost of just £10.60 Europ Assistance’s European Motor Breakdown policy could potentially save you over £1,250 (the average cost of transporting an un-roadworthy vehicle back to the UK).
· Remember your essential contact telephone numbers – a quick call to Europ Assistance’s 24 hour multi-lingual call centre and all the hassle can be taken out of your situation, however dire. Europ Assistance can even help if your car is broken into and items are stolen or if you fall ill, its European Motor Breakdown policy offers comprehensive cover.
· Check your vehicle before you travel – If you choose to drive your own vehicle abroad check tyres, oil, filters, fluid levels etc before you leave.
· Remember what side of the road you’re driving on! – It sounds simple enough but most accidents abroad are caused by confusion at roundabouts and junctions due to right hand drive rules.
· Don’t Drink and Drive – Most European laws are stricter than the UK’s and any offence could invalidate your insurance.
Last year The Europ Assistance Group provided 2.6 million motorists with breakdown assistance. The company is offering customers a handy guide to continental motoring online at http://www.europ-assistance.co.uk/.
Europ Assistance advises motorists to make sure they are covered for continental motoring in addition to their UK cover. If their standard UK policy does not allow for journeys abroad, they should extend their cover to ensure that it includes breakdown whilst in Europe. Customers should also consider whether they are covered for their journey to and from the ferry port. If for any reason they are unable to take their vehicle abroad, they can benefit from a hire car for the duration of the holiday. Many companies also offer a combined breakdown and travel insurance package.
* Geneva’s International Road Federation Survey, source: Moto Europa
EUROP ASSISTANCE RECRUITS CHRIS MORTON AS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Europ Assistance, one of the UK’s leading insurance and assistance organisations has appointed Chris Morton as Business Development Manager.
Chris started his career within Operations at Assurant Solutions in 1999. During his time with Assurant he filled various roles culminating in a move to Sales and Marketing as Product Development Manager. Chris gained a broad knowledge of proposition management, product design and distribution strategies in addition to his knowledge of operational management.
Comments Paul Everett, Sales and Marketing Director for Europ Assistance,
“Europ Assistance is currently focusing on developing additional products and services to compliment its traditional offerings in the areas of health, home & family, ID theft assistance, motor assistance and travel. As we continue to grow our business, Chris’s breadth of experience will enable him to work with our clients and to support new prospects at all stages of their product development.”
Adds Chris “Having previously worked in partnership with Europ Assistance I had seen first hand their underwriting expertise and excellence in delivering a range of quality assistance and insurance products and have always been particularly impressed with the service provided to the customer. I am delighted to join them and look forward to providing a major contribution to their growth strategy through building strong relationships with their corporate partners”
For further information of high res photography please contact:
Kally Carder
Tel: 01628 526208
kally@nobull-communications.co.uk
PR REF: 1843
About Europ Assistance
With over three decades experience of the domestic emergency, medical, motor breakdown, ID theft and travel insurance and assistance industries, Europ Assistance is an excellent source of expert comment, news, features, case studies and information for the media.
Europ Assistance was established in the UK in 1973, a decade after its parent company founded the travel assistance concept in France. It was the first assistance company in Britain and has continued to lead the way ever since, backed by the experience and might of the Europ Assistance Group.
A call to Europ Assistance’s head office in Hayward’s Heath or call centre in Navan, Ireland, gives access to an unrivalled international network of offices, assistance centres, agents and representatives, able to offer expert assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 208 countries and territories around the world.
Kally Carder
Tel: 01628 526208
kally@nobull-communications.co.uk
PR REF: 1843
About Europ Assistance
With over three decades experience of the domestic emergency, medical, motor breakdown, ID theft and travel insurance and assistance industries, Europ Assistance is an excellent source of expert comment, news, features, case studies and information for the media.
Europ Assistance was established in the UK in 1973, a decade after its parent company founded the travel assistance concept in France. It was the first assistance company in Britain and has continued to lead the way ever since, backed by the experience and might of the Europ Assistance Group.
A call to Europ Assistance’s head office in Hayward’s Heath or call centre in Navan, Ireland, gives access to an unrivalled international network of offices, assistance centres, agents and representatives, able to offer expert assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 208 countries and territories around the world.
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