How is your motor insurance premium calculated?
When calculating the premium to charge for a particular motor insurance risk an insurer will consider many factors. These include.

• The make and model of the vehicle
• Who will drive the vehicle
• What the vehicle will be used for
• Where the vehicle will be kept
• What level of cover you require
• The group rating of the vehicle

When buying motor insurance it is essential that you give the insurance company full information when asked. Thoroughly check before signing and returning the proposal form even if the answers have been completed on your behalf.

Smaller cars and those with cheaper repair costs often cost less to insure than larger high performance vehicles that are usually more expensive to repair.

Each new model of car introduced to the UK will be given an insurance group rating that insurers find extremely useful in their decision as to what premium to charge for, or indeed whether to accept, a risk. Click here for more information about how insurance group ratings are calculated. You may wish to consider this when you are deciding on your next vehicle purchase.

Motorists in cities usually pay more for their insurance than those living in the country due to the fact that claims are more frequent in urban areas.

Older vehicles usually attract discounts for comprehensive insurance premiums.

Discounts are given based on a variety of factors including the number of years a motorist has driven without making a claim (no claims discount or NCD), holding an advanced driving qualification (such as the Pass Plus Certificate or Institute of Advanced Motorists qualification), garaging your vehicle overnight and restricting the annual mileage.

Once an insurer has all the information they require they will then decide whether to offer cover to the motorist and if so at what premium. At Castle Grove we deal with a panel of leading UK motor insurers and we use them to obtain the best terms for you.

Motoring Conviction Codes
Motor insurance premiums are affected by a number of risk factors. One of these risk factors is the driving history of any one who will drive the insured vehicle. For many insurers a single conviction such as an SP30 (speeding) or a TS10 (traffic signal) will not affect the premium at all. However, if a driver has a serious conviction such as a DR10 or a DD80, or two or more speeding or traffic signal offences the insurance company will take a decision as to whether or not they will insure this driver and if they do what additional premium and/or restrictions (such as an increased excess) will apply.
It is important that all convictions are disclosed to the insurance company for all drivers who will drive the insured vehicle. This duty of disclosure applies at all times from the inception of the policy and throughout the duration of cover. Failure to disclose a conviction may render the policy void and result in claims not being paid.
For reference a list of current motoring conviction codes is produced below.

AC10 Failing to stop and/or give particulars after an accident
AC20 Failing to give particulars or report accident within 24 hrs
AC30 Undefined accident offences
BA10 Driving while disqualification by order of the Court
BA20 Driving while disqualified as under age
BA30 Attempting to drive while disqualified by order of the Court
CD10 Driving without due care and attention
CD20 Driving without reasonable consideration for other road user
CD30 Driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration
CD40 Causing death - careless driving when unfit through drink
CD50 Causing death - careless driving when unfit through drugs
CD60 Causing death - careless driving with alcohol level above limit
CD70 Causing death - careless driving - failing to supply specimen
CU10 Using a vehicle with defective brakes
CU20 Using a vehicle with parts or accessories in dangerous condition
CU30 Using a vehicle with defective tyres
CU40 Using a vehicle with defective steering
CU50 Causing or likely to danger by reason of load or passengers
CU60 Undefined failure to comply with Construction and Use Regulations
DD10 Driving in a dangerous manner
DD20 Driving at a dangerous speed
DD30 Reckless driving (replaced by DD40 from 01/12/91)
DD40 Dangerous driving
DD50 Causing death by dangerous driving
DD60 Manslaughter or culpable homicide while driving a vehicle
DD70 Causing death by reckless driving (replaced by DD80 01/12/91)
DD80 Causing death by dangerous driving
DR10 Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol above limit

DR20 Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink/drugs
DR30 Driving or attempting to drive/refusing or failing to supply specimen
DR40 In charge of vehicle while alcohol level above limit
DR50 In charge of vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs
DR60 Failure to provide specimen for analysis other than driving
DR70 Failure to provide specimen for breath test
DR80 Failure or attempting to drive when unfit through drugs
DR90 In charge of a vehicle when unfit through drugs
IN10 Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks
LC10 Driving without a licence (replaced by LC20 from 01/12/91)
LC20 Driving while under age. Driving other than in accordance
LC30 Driving after making a false declaration about fitness
LC40 Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability
LC50 Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused medical
MS10 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position
MS20 Unlawful pillion riding
MS30 Play street Offences
MS40 Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight or refusing test
MS50 Motor racing on the highway
MS60 Offences not covered by other codes
MS70 Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight
MS80 Refusing to submit to an eyesight test
MS90 Failure to give information as to identity of driver etc.
NE99 Non-endorsable criminal Act
MW10 Contravention of Special Roads Regulations (excluding speed)
PC10 Undefined Contravention of a Pedestrian Crossing Regulation
PC20 Contravention of Pedestrian Crossing Regulations - Moving vehicles
PC30 Contravention of Pedestrian Crossing Regulations - stationary vehicles
PL10 Driving without 'L' plates
PL20 Not accompanied by a qualified person
PL30 Carrying a person not qualified
PL40 Drawing an unauthorised trailer
PL50 Undefined failure to comply with conditions of Provisional
S 19 Disqualification ('totting - up' procedure)
S 35 Disqualification ('totting-up' procedure)
SP10 Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits
SP20 Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle (excluding goods)
SP30 Exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road
SP40 Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit
SP50 Exceeding speed limit on a motorway
SP60 Undefined speed limit offence
TS10 Failing to comply with traffic light signals
TS20 Failing to comply with double white lines
TS30 Failing to comply with a 'Stop' sign
TS40 Failing to comply with direction of a constable or warden
TS50 Failing to comply with traffic sigh (excluding stop, lights)
TS60 Failing to comply with a school crossing patrol sign
TS70 Undefined failure to comply with a traffic direction or sign
TT99 To signify disqualification under 'totting-up' procedure
UT10 Taking and driving away without consent or attempt thereat
UT20 Stealing or attempting to steal a vehicle
UT30 Going equipped for stealing or taking a vehicle
UT40 Taking/driving/be carried in a vehicle without consent
UT50 Aggravated taking of a vehicle
XX99 To signify a disqualification under 'totting-up' procedure

Working from Home

WHAT’S IN YOUR SHED?

If a shed contains much more than a lawnmower, the chances are it will not be covered by your home insurance policy. With an increased number of people deciding to work from or run a business from outbuildings at their home it is essential that extra insurance cover is arranged.

In 2005/6 there were 733,000 domestic burglaries in England and Wales with around 1 in 50 households being burgled. Sheds, garages and other outbuildings are frequently targeted as valuable items such as tools, furniture, bikes, sports equipment and even computers are stored in them. The recent trend for newer homes to be smaller, with fewer rooms means more items are stored in this way. However, few people fully consider the security of their outbuildings or indeed, whether they have sufficient cover under their home insurance policy to insure them. The rise of thefts from outbuildings is highlighting underinsurance and causing problems for some policyholders.


The British Crime Survey has reported on thefts from outbuildings and sheds and has said that there are around 500 a day, with a total loss of over £10m of garden equipment and tools. Crime figures show that reported domestic burglaries are still high and there is little doubt outbuildings thefts are a contributing factor. In fact once a person has suffered a theft loss they’re four times more likely to experience a loss in the next year. It is not unusual to have a series of thefts from outbuildings in succession.

Increased customer spending has had a role play. It is estimated that UK home owners spend in the region of £500m a year on garden furniture and barbecues not to mention additional expenditure on equipment and tools.

Home Insurance Policies
Over the years insurers have restricted theft cover from sheds or outbuildings following thefts. A few household policies offer some protection on the contents of outbuildings, but cover is usually limited to between £1,000 and £5,000 per incident. There may also be a limit on the number of thefts covered in any one year, meaning high value goods may not be fully covered.

In one case, a keen amateur fisherman used a shed at the bottom of his garden to store his equipment. It was broken into and fishing rods, some tackle and other equipment stolen. When the home insurance company asked for the value of these items, receipts showed they were worth around £9,500. This exceeded the policy limits and the policyholder only received £1,000.

Specific Cover
By contrast, in another case, a client kept a large collection of vehicles memorabilia in a freight container in his garden. His broker visited his home and realised the household cover was inadequate. After negotiating with the insurer, the container was recognised as an outbuilding and specific cover organised once adequate security was in place.

In protecting the humble garden shed and its contents a proactive approach can pay dividends.

Security Tips

• Security mark property clearly with postcodes
• Secure small items to heavier equipment or a permanent fixture such as a ground anchor
• Fit quality locks to doors, but always take into account the construction of the outbuilding – there is little point in fitting a high quality padlock to a rickety old shed.
• Protect windows with grills or bars
• Fit a basic alarm system to the shed or consider extending the coverage of any alarm in the main house.
• Keep doors and windows locked and ensure door hinges are secure.