Do you know the new driving rules for 2022?

Posted on by Vavista

At Vavista, we like to keep our policyholders informed. You may have heard about the new driving rules and highway code changes coming into force this year. The list is long and a little complex, so we’ve highlighted 4 of them that could catch you out.

Make sure you’re up to date on driving laws and highway code rules by checking the Government website regularly.

1. Cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders will now have priority 

The rules in the highway code have now changed so: ‘road users who can do the greatest harm, have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they may pose to others’.

The government has included guidance on how to pass cyclists safely. Cyclists now have priority when you are both at a junction and travelling straight ahead. Check the code for how far you should be from cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders when you pass them.

This means pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders now are at the top of the hierarchy, when it comes to right of way. You can head to the government website for further details on this.[1]

2. Stricter rules on mobile phone use in vehicles 

Rules around using your mobile are getting stricter in 2022. Most people know texting and calling without hands free equipment is illegal. The following is now also illegal:

  • Using a device to take photos and videos
  • Playing games
  • Searching playlists

It can be tempting to do these things when stopped at traffic lights or stuck in traffic, but the highway code makes these illegal and punishable by a £200 fine and six licence points very soon.[2]

To do any of the above, you should pull over and stop safely. For more information on the exact rules involving mobile phones and driving, head to the government website[3].

3. New homes to have EV charging points fitted by law in 2022

On the 22 November 2021, the Government announced that all new builds in England in 2022 will legally have to install EV charging points. This law will also apply to any of the following in 2022:

  • New build workplaces
  • Supermarkets
  • Buildings undergoing major renovations

The government believes this could lead to up to 145,000 extra EV charging points every year. They state, it should ‘make it as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car today’. New petrol and diesel cars are banned from the year 2030, this will ease the country into making the switch to electric cars.[4]

4. Rule changes on what you can tow

The rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car changed on 16 December 2021.

If you passed your car driving test on or after 1st January 1997, you can tow trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). MAM is the limit on how much a vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded. To work out how much you can tow, check your car’s handbook and find out its gross train weight (GTW). This is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.

If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you are not affected by the change. When driving a car with a trailer for the first time, it’s recommended by the DVLA that you get training from a driving instructor to show you how to do this properly.[5]

For more information on all the highway code updates then head to the Government’s website.

[1] The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[2] Drivers to be banned from using hand-held devices – BBC News
[3] Any use of hand-held mobile phone while driving to become illegal – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[4] New homes in England to have electric car chargers by law – BBC News
[5] New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

Here’s how many trees you have helped us plant through Eden Reforestation

Posted on by Vavista

As a policyholder, you will know we have partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects, to plant a tree for every policy we sell. This partnership is our commitment to help fight climate change and alleviate poverty.  As a result, these efforts restore forests and means local communities have new opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.  In addition, it helps create livelihoods for thousands of people currently living in extreme poverty through employment to plant and protect the trees you’ve helped us fund.

I this blog we’re going to explain how many trees you’ve helped us plant.  So far, Eden Reforestation have produced, planted and protected over 830 million trees, across 249 project sites in 9 countries.  Some of the countries include Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya and Indonesia, to name a few.

Here’s an update of the contribution and difference we’ve made, thanks to policyholders just like you..

186,260 trees have been planted

1,863 days of work have been created for local communities

 

At Vavista, we are very proud to have contributed towards a project that has made such a global difference and with your support, we want to grow this number.

*Figures correct as of March 2022

Taking care on the roads, as the clocks go forward…

Posted on by Dr Sally Norton

Spring is on the way – the daffodils are out, the shops are brimming with Easter eggs and the clocks are about to go forward…

But we all groan at the prospect of an hour’s less sleep. And then the mornings, which were getting a bit lighter, are suddenly darker again. We now have to accept that it’s 7am when it’s still 6am in our heads….and that can mean dragging ourselves out of bed and heading off to work in the dark.

But aside from making us a bit grumpy, a study from the US has shown that the week following the ‘spring forward’ clock change is associated with a 6% increase in fatal traffic accidents. They analysed over 700,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents over a 20 year period to see a consistent increase in the week after daylight saving changes.

Why would this be?

It’s probably a combination of morning grogginess as we force our body clock into a slightly new rhythm, coupled with driving to work in the dark again. But interestingly, whilst the risk increased mainly in the morning, it was also elevated in the afternoon, despite longer daylight hours, suggesting it was the change in our normal circadian rhythm that was the main culprit.

Sleep is vital

Forcing ourselves to wake up with an alarm, rather than naturally, means we are depriving our body of much-needed sleep. Sleep is more than just a ‘switch-off’ – it is a carefully orchestrated programme of brain activity that helps us process memory, emotions and creative thought. The value of sleep is hugely under-estimated – most of us really do need 7-8 hours, whether we think we do or not. Insufficient sleep can lead to mood changes, weight gain, risk of health problems like heart disease and diabetes…and increased risk of accidents on the road.

So, when the clocks go forward this spring, be prepared. Plan your week to ensure you can get to bed an hour earlier than usual so you are ready to wake up, rather than be jolted out of deep sleep by your alarm. Try to avoid alcohol, sleeping tablets and sedating cold-remedies or other drugs – the additive effect may make morning drowsiness even worse. A coffee can help perk you up before you head off, so leave yourself enough time for that, without having to rush once you get behind the wheel.  Not only will it protect you, but motor vehicle accidents will put extra pressure on NHS – pressure it can do without at this difficult time.

Ref  – A Chronobiological Evaluation of the Acute Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Traffic Accident Risk. Josef Fritz, Trang VoPham, Kenneth P. Wright Jr., Céline Vetter. Current Biology January 2020

 

7 reasons why owning a pet is good for you

Posted on by Dr Sally Norton

Vavista wellness expert (and dog owner) Alisa Burke reveals the research behind why owning a pet isn’t just good for your fitness levels, but for your mental wellbeing and happiness too….

Are you one of the owners of the 6.7m dogs and 9.8m cats kept as pets in the UK? I am writing this article as a converted dog lover, owning a short legged Jack Russell, Archie, who is nearly 4 years old and is our first dog. He’s a smart cookie.

Apparently, the average dog can understand up to 165 words! There are many reasons our family is smitten with him, but it was only when I started researching this article did I realise quite how good they are for our wellbeing.

Here are 7 reasons why owning a pet is good for you:

1. They make you and your kids more active

The American Heart Association (AHA) says dog owners are 54% more likely than non-dog owners to get the recommended daily amount of exercise. Obviously, this will depend on how often and how far your walks take you.

2. They reduce and buffer you against stress

Even gazing into your dogs eyes can increase oxytocin – our natural love drug that helps protect us from the damaging effects of stress. Research on horses and cats also confirms this effect – even in children and teenagers. And playing with your pet can increase serotonin and dopamine which have a pleasurable and calming effect. Besides these effects, an AHA statement suggests dog ownership may also decrease your risk of heart disease and increase survival rates amongst heart attack patients.

3. They show us unconditional love

No matter what sort of day you have had or how wretched you feel, your pet is always delighted to see you and welcome you home no matter what. They accept all of us. This ups our feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.

4. They are a source of emotional feedback

All mammals like horses and dogs have a mid part of the brain termed the limbic brain. This allows them to have emotional feelings and sense emotions in humans. A recent study in Hungary did MRI brain scans of 11 dogs who had been trained to be still and calm in the scanner; it showed that dogs have a similar brain process correlating with emotional responses as we do. Scans showed more brain activity in the primary auditory cortex area of the brain when the dog heard an emotional sound – the same pattern as humans showed. So, as pet owners know – they do seem to feel our emotions and give us emotional feedback.

5. Your immunity will benefit

Pets spread bacteria and therefore we may have a much wider mix of bacteria in our digestive tract and so are better able to cope when we come across a nasty bug. It increases our natural immunity and, in fact, studies show that having healthier gut bacteria can help us in numerous other ways too.

6. They make us feel needed

This can be especially powerful for the elderly for whom having something to care for can provide a reason to get up in the morning and go outdoors.

7. They provide an opportunity for social contact

Dogs are great conversation starters! Bumping into other dog owners on a walk is almost certain to prompt a few words at the very least.

It’s not always possible to have a pet of your own or it may not be something you want to commit to (and they are a sizeable commitment) but that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on these benefits. Maybe you could ask to walk someone’s dog for them or look after their pet when they are away. If you are a pet owner do take a moment to be grateful to your pet and appreciate the relationship and value your pet is contributing to your wellbeing.

 

Want some more wellbeing blogs? Read about our 6 self help tips for anxiety.

Why you need to report an accident as soon as you can

Posted on by Vavista

If you’ve been involved in a car accident you should report it to your insurer immediately, even if you don’t intend to make a claim yourself and regardless of fault.

Did you know that new legislation now states that if your insurer is unable to provide your signed statement within a 30 day period you will automatically be deemed to be at fault for the accident?  This deadline applies in cases where a Personal Injury claim has been received.

This is especially important if there is any disagreement over who is at fault. The sooner you tell your insurer, the more time they will have to gather evidence and defend the claim on your behalf.

The other driver may submit a claim for personal injury. In this case, it is even more important to let your insurer know about the accident as they will only have 30 days to carry out investigations. If you are not to blame, you will need to put forward your version of events in the form of a signed statement.

The Somerset Bridge Limited Claims Team is available to support you 24/7 and you can speak to them by calling 0344 840 9537. If you have your policy details and incident details to hand, this will speed up the process. Don’t worry if you don’t – your address, car registration, etc. will be just as useful.

If easier, you can also report a claim via this link online. Here you can fill in the main details of the incident in a matter of minutes, and one of the Somerset Bridge Limited claims handlers will call you back as soon as possible.

If you’re not at fault you should still inform The Somerset Bridge Limited Claims Team so they can discuss your options and make sure you get the help you need.

To report an incident or make a claim call The Somerset Bridge Limited Claims Team on  0344 840 9537 as soon as possible. You can also report a claim via our website.
Please Note, The Somerset Bridge Limited Claims Team manage claims for Southern Rock and Watford Insurance customers only. For non-Southern Rock and non-Watford Insurance policies, please visit www.vavista.com/claims for more information on how to claim.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle

Posted on by Vavista

Thinking about embracing the electric revolution and getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV)?

With their eco-friendly appeal and cost-saving advantages, EVs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for modern drivers. However, making the right decision requires careful consideration of various factors. With the purchase of EV’s on the rise, here at Vavista, we wanted to highlight our 5 things to think about when you’re buying an electric vehicle.

1. There are now over 42,000 EV public charging points in the UK 

A lot of potential electric vehicle (EV) buyers are worried about where they can charge their car once they’ve bought it. This is understandable but the truth is, there are lots of ways to charge.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. An EV being charged outside.

According to EDF energy, there are more than 42,000 charge point connectors across the UK in over 15,500 locations.[1]

2. Your EV insurance needs to cover different things to a normal car policy

This includes things such as: cover if your charging cable breaks, or public liability insurance if someone trips over your charging wire. Make sure you carefully research your insurance needs and get the correct coverage for you. Thoroughly check your policy documents for all the things you may need.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. A woman signing a car insurance document.

3. There are no gears in an electric vehicle

An electric car has only three functions: forward, reverse, and neutral. This is because the electric motor turns clockwise or anti-clockwise. The direction in which it’s rotating, determines whether the car will move forwards, or backwards. It’s a different experience to driving a manual car and much more like an automatic to drive.

4. You can recharge your EV at home

When you have off street parking, the best way to charge is to have a home charger installed. This is different to the normal 3-pronged plug you would use at home. Most home chargers have a cable attached, which you just plug in to start charging.  This will give you much faster charging speeds than a regular household plug and you can leave it overnight.

5 things to think about when buying an electric vehicle. A silver car being charged outside a house with wooden cladding.

5. Braking adds miles to the vehicle’s range

Electric cars have a form of regenerative braking. Every time the driver pushes the brake, a small amount of electricity goes back into the battery, increasing the car’s driving range on a single charge. [2]

 

[1] Electric Car (EV) Charging Points UK – A Complete Guide | EDF (edfenergy.com)
[2]  23465-EST+DFT-Charging Electric Vehicles – Best Practice Guide-WEB.pdf (energysavingtrust.org.uk)
Disclaimer: Articles are for general information only – customers should always seek their own independent advice. Vavista is not affiliated with the organisations/businesses mentioned and does not recommend or endorse any of the included products or services. For more information, click here.

The perfect playlist for a girl’s road trip

Posted on by Vavista

A great way to forget about the stresses of life is to get together with your friends, getting out and about, maybe going on a road trip. One of the factors behind a successful road trip is the music – whether you and your friends are wanting to sing your hearts out or get in the mood for a night out or a relaxing weekend away. The key to any good playlist is to know your audience. If you’re on a girl trip you’re probably going to want to listen to classic female anthems no matter how cheesy they are.

Group of girls in car with arms in the air

 

Here are our top ten best girl’s anthems to make your girls trip that little bit better;
  1. Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. An eighties classic that every girl should know every word to.
  2. Shania Twain, Man, I Feel Like A Woman. What girls trip would be complete without this empowering tune.
  3. Britney Spears has an array of classic girly songs to choose from but we think Oops!I Did It Again is a great sing along.
  4. From one Pop Princess to the next, Miley Cyrus’s Party in the USA is the song that will get everyone singing and car dancing.
  5. Diva, Christina Aguilera is a great option to choose and why not go with the naughty’s classic Genie In A Bottle.
  6. No girl’s playlist is complete without a Destiny’s Child song and better, more empowering song than Survivor.
  7. From one classic to another, you can’t go wrong with TLC with No Scrub.
  8. Featured on hit TV show The Hills, Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten is such an easy song to sing along too.
  9. We don’t think you can have a girl’s road trip playlist without Queen Bee herself, Beyoncé. We think any song of hers would be appropriate for this list but we think the uplifting ‘Love On Top’ will do the job quite nicely.
  10. To finish our list off we think we have chosen the ultimate, girly, sing along classic. A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton.

Female in a plaid shirt and sunglasses sticking upper body out of stationary car window

We hope that our top 10 can inspire your next girl’s trip and keep you singing along. But whatever songs you decide to put on, girly and cheesy or not, remember to drive safely and have a great trip.

Eden Reforestation explore New Projects in Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines

Posted on by Vavista

Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines have highly degraded areas that were once thriving forests, the destruction of these forests impacts those living in extreme poverty the most. As a Vavista policyholder,  you continue to support Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden) as they  explore and launch projects in these three regions.

Why Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines?

  • Ethiopia’s increasing population and dependence on natural resources have caused devastating long-term impacts on both the environment and the people’s ability to survive. Through Eden’s Employ-to-Plant methodology, local people in the Dawuro Zone will earn a steady income while restoring their forests.

  • Brazil is comprised of many unique ecosystems and regions. Along the coastal region, mangrove reforestation and restoration projects will provide stability against erosion while improving ocean and coral reef health. Eden plans to start in the Cerrado and the Mata Atlântica areas, the two regions most threatened by vegetation loss and deforestation.

  • Over 50% of the population in the Philippines, including millions of indigenous people, depend on their local forests. Eden is excited to partner with the indigenous community on the island of Mindanao to provide long-term economic opportunities through mangrove and terrestrial reforestation.

To learn more about projects coming soon in Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines, click the button below

Give your car a summer health check

Posted on by Vavista

We have recently been treated to some lovely summer weather here in the UK and it’s definitely feeling like summer. This is the perfect time to give your car its summer health check.

The good news is that you can carry these out at home.

Check your coolant

Coolant or anti-freeze is great in the winter as it helps your car’s engine not freeze but in the summer it also removes excessive heat from the engine which is very important to avoid especially in hot summer traffic. To check that you have enough coolant, locate your radiator reservoir and make sure the coolant level is between the maximum and minimum lines.

Check your Oil

Oil is essential for your engine. Without oil, your engine would very quickly seize up and cause you to break down. To check your oil, locate your dipstick and make sure the oil level is in the middle of the max and min level.

Do you have a spare tyre, jack and locking wheel nut key?

It is important to make sure you have both items in your car in case you get a puncture and need to change your cars tyre. It’s important to note that no one (not even a recovery vehicle) will be able to take your wheel off without the wheel nut key. It is best practice to keep these items together, most sensibly in your boot.

Top up your Screen wash and check wiper blades

Make sure you top up your screen wash before any journey as it is essential for removing dirt or insects from your windscreen which if left without clearing can obscure your vision. It is also important to make sure that your wiper blades are fully functioning to ensure that you can see the road clearly. You can tell if you need to change these by checking your blades for any splits that may cause streaks on your screen.

Observe your tyres

There are a couple of important things to check with your tyres; tyre pressures, tyre treads and any cracking/ bulging. Check in your handbook to find out what the desired front and rear pressures should be. You can fill your tyres up with air at most garages or at home with a car tyre pump. You must also check that your tyre tread is legal. The legal limit is 1.6mm. To measure this, stand a 20p piece in the tread, if you can see the outer edge then you will need to change your tyre. The last thing to check is the overall condition of the car. Look out for any cracks or bulges in the tread and sidewall as these will need to be looked after.

Test your lights

You may need some assistance with this one but checking that all your lights work is still just as important in summer as it is in winter. Make sure to check all indicators, reverse and especially break lights (you will need these in traffic).

Does your air con work?

You may not use your you air con throughout the winter so it’s important to test it before you start any trip in the sun. If your air con is blowing out hot air without any sign or cooling down, you may need to seek technical help.

 

We hope you and your car enjoy the summer whatever you decide (or can) do.

Christmas Opening Hours

Christmas Opening Hours

Date Claims Team Sales & Customer
Service Team
Mon 23rd Dec 9am – 5:30pm 9am - 7pm
Christmas Eve 9am – 12:45pm 9am - 4pm
Christmas Day CLOSED CLOSED
Boxing Day CLOSED CLOSED
Fri 27th Dec 9am – 5:30pm 9am – 7pm
Sat 28th Dec 9am – 5:30pm 9am – 6pm
Sun 29th Dec 9am – 5:30pm 9am – 4pm
Mon 30th Dec 9am – 5:30pm 9am – 7pm
New Year’s Eve 9am – 12:45pm 9am – 4pm
New Year’s Day CLOSED CLOSED
2nd – 3rd Jan 9am – 5:30pm 9am - 7pm

  1. Date

  2. 23rd Dec
  3. Christmas Eve
  4. Christmas Day
  5. Boxing Day
  6. 27th Dec
  7. 28th Dec
  8. 29th Dec
  9. 30th Dec
  10. New Year’s Eve
  11. New Year’s Day
  12. 2nd – 3rd Jan

  1. Claims Team

  2. 9am – 5:30pm
  3. 9am – 12:45pm
  4. CLOSED
  5. CLOSED
  6. 9am – 5:30pm
  7. 9am – 5:30pm
  8. 9am – 5:30pm
  9. 9am – 5:30pm
  10. 9am – 12:45pm
  11. CLOSED
  12. 9am – 5:30pm
  1. Sales & Customer
    Service Team
  2. 9am - 7pm
  3. 9am - 4pm
  4. CLOSED
  5. CLOSED
  6. 9am - 7pm
  7. 9am - 6pm
  8. 9am - 4pm
  9. 9am - 7pm
  10. 9am - 4pm
  11. CLOSED
  12. 9am - 7pm

Which customer portal would you like access to

As you may have seen in the press Debenhams brand was recently acquired by another retailer. You can find out morehere

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