Caravan Insurance

The van industry wants insurance body Thatcham to lobby for lower commercial van insurance premiums as a result of the widespread use of accident avoidance systems.

Vehicles fitted with electronic stability control (ESC) should qualify for discounted insurance, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

ESC works to reduce the problem of over- and under-steer in the vehicles fitted with it. It also acts against the effects of over-braking, through sensors which are able to relay the nature and severity of an accident to the wheels.

The organisation pointed to the fact that just 40 per cent of new vehicles in Britain are fitted with the potentially life-saving technology, What Car? reports, compared with 60 per cent n Germany and 90 per cent in Sweden.

According to Thatcham, just six of 38 carmakers currently offer the system on new vehicles as standard.

Spokesperson for the SMMT Nigel Wonnacott said: "Millions of pounds have been spent on accident avoidance systems.

"They've saved the insurance industry millions of pounds and it's high time that was recognised in cheaper insurance for customers."

The society has called for Thatcham to urge its insurance industry members to slash the cost of commercial van insurance premiums on ESC-fitted vans and other vehicle insurance costs by 15 per cent.