The deepening recession in the UK has meant that the climate change debate has, to some extent, been kept off the front pages of newspapers and played second fiddle. However, all that could be about to change with revelations from the latest research that the Polar ice caps are melting faster than previously thought.

What has all this got to do with car insurance quotes? Some insurers, including Co-op Car Insurance and the Green car insurance company, are pledging to fight climate change through carbon offsetting schemes. Such schemes are an attempt by both insurers to reduce their policyholders’ carbon dioxide emissions through the funding of projects such as rainforest regeneration, renewable energies and energy efficiency. The Co-op for example, claim to offset 20% of a policyholder’s car CO2 emissions at no extra cost based upon the stated mileage at the time of the car insurance quotation.

For those motorists who are passionate about green issues and climate change, these types of car insurance products will be of great interest and with a growing market of consumer opinion, both aforementioned insurers could benefit. In times of recession however, competitive pricing of car insurance and most other products is paramount, simply because disposable income is less and consumers generally shop around even more. It remains to be seen, therefore, how successful insurers with carbon offsetting schemes will actuslly perform.

According to the Department for Transport, statistics show that incidents of death and injury for young drivers on Britain’s roads are declining slower than any other age group. In a bid to understand the reasons behind this, Aviva car insurance have commissioned research into young drivers’ behaviour and attitudes, the emerging results of which have revealed some startling findings.

When driving with friends, the character and behaviour of some young drivers appears to alter significantly. For example, that car being driven fast or erratically in a built-up area with the windows down and music being played loudly is more likely to have a young driver at the wheel with all his or her friends on board for the ride than someone older with more driving experience.

Peer pressure is influencing young drivers to the extent that just over 21% of respondents to a survey admit to paying less attention to the road, one quarter deliberately take their hands of the wheel while moving and 15% admit to performing illegal driving manoeuvres. More worryingly, however, is the finding that most parents are unaware of their children’s unacceptable driving habits as nearly all respondents will modify their behaviour by driving more slowly and carefully when a relative is in the car.

Aviva claim that contrary to belief, young drivers car insurance is bought by some simply to cover the costs of damage to the vehicle and nothing else, despite the fact that the company’s claims data reveals otherwise, with personal injuries to the driver and/or passengers responsible for nearly 60% of reported claims.

In an effort to highlight the growing problem of car parking accidents, Aviva car insurance has named and shamed the 10 worst car parks voted by Britain’s motoring public. Why has Aviva taken the trouble to do this? Quite simply, this popular car insurance company handles more than 25,000 claims each year which are related to car parks with an average claims cost of £1,400. As a consequence, Aviva has a vested interested in trying to improve the worst offending car parks in respect of poor design and security.

The worst place in the UK to park has Brighton in East Sussex topping the list where the NCP Churchill car park is notorious for its narrow bays and posts preventing car doors being opened. The Waitrose car park in Harrogate in Yorkshire is also guilty of having unusually tight spaces, meaning passenger doors are unable to be opened properly. Airports and hospital car parks are also in the firing line with Gatwick Airport short stay and Sunderland Royal Hospital amongst the nominees.

Apart from car dents and damage to paintwork, the biggest fear expressed by those who took part in the poll was mindless vandalism – for instance, one motorist confirmed that no wheels were left after returning to his car. This proves that besides being an environment where any level of accidental damage can be expected by simply leaving a car parked and unattended, a widespread lack of security raises the opportunity for more serious car crime.

It remains to be seen whether those companies or government authorities responsible for the worst car parks in Britain take heed of these findings and take action to improve the car parks identified. Unfortunately for those regularly using those car parking facilities, if improvements are made it is inevitable the cost will be passed onto the consumer!