Aviva – a leading insurer brand in Singapore – has released statistical data regarding accidents that have occurred in Singapore in 2015. They have found that almost half (48%) of car accidents that occur on any given Friday have taken place during the evening peak period, between 5.30pm to 8pm.
This is a significantly higher proportion compared to any other day, during the same time period. On Mondays, for example, accidents happening during the post-work rush hour account for only 26%.
While it is assumed that the weekends are more relaxing, the average accident occurrence per day for weekends is at 14%, just a 1% difference from the weekdays (15%).
The following are some statistics and key findings identified by Aviva from car insurance claims that they had received in 2015:
Males are more likely to get into an accident
Looking at the gender split of claimants against the gender split of their customer base, Aviva’s claims statistics reveal that males are 1.4 times more likely to get into an accident as compared to females.
Be alert
According to the claims statistics, more than 12% of accidents had occured before the car had left the carpark.
23% occured along expressways, while accidents at road junctions accounted for 13%.
The rest of the 52% occured along roads, with the top 10 accident hotspots (in alphabetical order) being:
- Alexandra Road
- Balestier Road
- Braddell Road
- Bukit Timah Road
- Clementi Road
- Dunearn Road
- Lornie Road
- Thomson Road
- Upper Serangoon Road
- Upper Thomson Road
- Yio Chu Kang Road
Most of these roads are either undergoing major construction or are exposed to construction projects in the area, and are also listed as Black Spot Locations by the Land Transport Authority.
Avoid tailgating and reverse with caution
The most common type of accident is the front-to-rear collision, which accounted for 41% of all reported accidents. 15% had involved front-to-side collisions, 13% being chain collisions, 12% of it being a side swipe accident (happens when two cars are turning at the same time), and the remaining 7% while the driver was reversing.
Who’s going to pay for your car repairs?
Accidents caused by you, hit and runs, theft, or damage caused by falling objects can mean that you would need to pay for your own repairs. According to Aviva’s claims statistics, close to 2 in 5 claims in 2015 were from drivers that were claiming against their policy for own damage.
Head of General Insurance, Aviva Singapore, Mr. Pan Jing Long advised Singaporeans to opt for comprehensive coverage instead of third party coverage as the latter does not cover repairs for own cars. He stated that “even though premiums are higher for comprehensive coverage, they are manageable as premium payments can be planned for, compared to unexpected and costly repair bills”.
He added that drivers should also pay attention to the excess that their plan offers, as this is the amount that one would have to fork out first before the insurance kicks in. He said, “excess levels differ from insurer to insurer – you should check that you are comfortable with the amount. Some people prefer to keep their excess high to enjoy lower premiums, while others want to keep their excess as low as possible in case of minor accidents”.
Seek advice from insurers when accidents happen
In the event of an accident, the parties involved are advised to exchange their particulars, note down the vehicle numbers, and take photographs of the accident scene and all damages.
Aviva has a helpline to aid distress when in need. A representative will arrive at the accident scene within 20 minutes to provide assistance throughout the entire claims process, and will take you to your destination if your car is unable to be driven.
For customers who wish to opt for a private settlement with the other driver, Aviva provides a form on their website for customers’ use, although Pan urged that drivers keep their insurers informed.
“Whether or not you intend to submit a claim, it would be advisable to report any accidents to your insurer. Your insurer would be best placed to advise on next steps to take, which can help protect you from being caught in an unfavourable situation later on,” he said.
Find out more about Aviva and its services here.