Frankfurt Unveils Mercedes C63 AMG

Performance saloon car enthusiasts will be looking forward to the Frankfurt Motor Show where Mercedes-Benz will unveil the all new AMG C63. In direct competition with the BMW M3 and Audi’s RS4 the C63 AMG could surprise many with bold, agressive styling allied to a razor sharp chassis.

The C63 will feature significant changes to the front axle and steering system, to improve feel and response, and there will be the option of a ‘Performance Package’, which will include a multi-plate limited-slip differential. At an estimated £55-58,000 the C63 AMG will cost slighlty more than its closest rivals when it goes on sale in the UK in early 2008.

  

  

Car Insurance TV Advertising – A Real Turn-Off

Many of us who watch commercial television, SKY TV and other various channels will no doubt be aware of the endless stream of car insurance advertisements running at the moment.

With each new TV ad seeming to offer even greater incentives and benefits, maybe if we wait long enough insurers will be paying us to take out one of their policies!

We have the ubiquitous Direct Line red telephone and mouse, the Churchill nodding dog, and the Diamond (women only policies) ladies clad in pink. Insurers who have not yet manged to dream up such sophisticated marekting weapons, are reduced to trying to induce motorists with ever greater monetary discounts, price guarantees and policy features/benefits etc. 

Surely there must be a more visually and audibly stimulating approach to communicating with drivers who are seeking a first policy or are up for renewing there current deal.  We wait with baited breath for the next great car insurance TV ad!

Goodwood Revival Festival 2007

For all those fans of a bygone era and ultimate classic cars, the 2007 Goodwood Revival festival is scheduled to take place this week 31st august, 1st and 2nd September, 2007. 

The Goodwood Revival is the world’s most popular motor race meeting and the only event of its kind to be staged in the romantic time capsule of the Fifties and Sixties.  As well as recreating the golden era of motor sport, the Revival offers exceptional wheel-to-wheel racing around a classic circuit, untouched by the modern world.

This is the only event that places motor racing into a carefully choreographed historical backdrop. The result is a truly unforgettable experience, and an atmosphere unlike any other sporting event. In combination with the highly-acclaimed Festival of Speed, the Revival ensures that Goodwood offers a medley of motor sport delights unrivalled throughout the world.

Shop Around for a Lower Motor Premium!

New research claims that despite all the press and media coverage of the benefits of shopping around for a new motor quote on renewal – one in five drivers still only obtain one quote.

*This is despite the fact that of those motorists who have been with their current insurers for three years or more (34% of motorists), over a third of them (37%) claim that their premiums increased.

Although this is initially surprising, UK consumers have a well researched reluctance to change their personal finance and insurance providers. Ask yourself how many times you have changed your bank in the last 5-10 years and you can understand the type of mentally which prevails.   

The research indicates that of those motorists who have been with the same insurer for three years or more(1), over a quarter of people surveyed (projected to 4.19 million) said their premiums rose by up to 5%, 1.34 million by between 6% and 10% and over half a million said that their premiums had increased by more than 10%.

It is common knowledge that many motor insurers make the bulk of their profit from customers after the first year.  Insurers are smart enough to know that once a customer is on board there is a good chance that they (policyholder) will not change insurer.

Motorists need to be made constantly aware that the UK car insurance market is fiercely competitive and that motorists hold the trump card when it comes to driving a low premium whilst maintaining cover levels.

*Research conducted for Sainsbury’s bank by GfK NOP between 6th and 8th July 2007.

Buy Car Insurance at Your Petrol Station?

Would it be beyond the realms of marketing possibility or thinking for two big (motor insurance and petrol) companies to get together and offer motor insurance policies on the forecourt?

A captive market (we all have to fill up) of (99%) law abiding motorists could be offered a new policy/renewal offer or deal when filling up with, BP or Shell for example. Companies such as Direct Line, Norwich Union and even niche players such as Diamond and Adrian Flux could benefit from such a strategic alliance. 

It could even be possible to launch a new loyalty card to tie in with the policies being offered on the forecourt?

Welcome All

This is the new blog for HomeApproved car insurance.

We aim to cover a multitude of motoring and insurance subjects, so make sure to check back regularly for all the latest comment and discussion.

Team HomeApproved