Subaru drivers make fewest claims

Research by MoneySupermarket has revealed that Subaru Impreza drivers are the least likely to make an ‘at fault’ insurance claim, while drivers of Spanish-made Seat vehicles make the most.

The study examined more than 13 million quotes run on the aggregator site between July 2012 and June 2013 and found that Subaru drivers made, on average, 62.9 claims per 1,000 drivers, while those who drove Seat cars made 94.1 claims per 1,000.

After Subaru drivers, those behind the wheel of Smart cars, Fiat, Nissan and Peugeot vehicles were all among the least likely to make a claim.

On the other hand, after Seat owners, drivers of KIA, Mini, Honda and Mazda cars were recorded as being the most likely to make a claim.

MoneySupermarket said: “Subaru owners are less likely to be young drivers these days and more likely to be in their 30s and 40s, which indicates that the ‘boy racers’ of the 1990s have grown up and taken their prized wheels along with them.”

MoneySupermarket car insurance expert Peter Harrison said: “Interestingly, the fact Subaru drivers are least likely to make a claim doesn’t directly translate into their paying the cheapest premiums. While claims are one factor insurers take into account when setting premium prices – other factors also play a part. These include the engine size, the number of miles you clock up, where you park and your profession, amongst other things.”

The study also looked at where in the country claims were most likely to occur, and found that those drivers living or travelling through London’s commuter belt made more claims than most.

Watford topped the list of areas most likely for accident claims to come from, with an average of 180 claims per 1,000 drivers. After Watford, Hemel Hempstead had 177.5 claims per 1,000, Chelmsford 171.4, St. Albans 169.9 and Enfield 169.4.

Unsurprisingly, drivers in less densely populated areas were generally least likely to make a claim, with motorists in Hull making an average of 110.6 claims per 1,000, with those in Falkirk making 111.7, Llandrindod Wells making 112.2 and Truro making 113.8. The notable exception was that drivers in east London only made an average of 111.6 claims per 1,000, putting them just behind those in Hull as least likely to make a claim.