The onset of winter means shorter days, freezing weather, and icy roads – all of which makes driving increasingly challenging. But with the festive season also seeing large numbers of journeys made by car, the likelihood of a collision is high. To keep yourself safe, and protect your vehicle against risk, it’s crucial to take extra care when on (and off!) the road.  Read our key tips and advice below:  1. Before you go – be prepared!  When it comes to winter drives, preparation goes along way. Taking extra safety precautions before you set off helps ensure your vehicle is up to the task, and reduces your risk of suffering an accident while on the road. As a starting point, allow for extra time to reach your destination – the roads may be hazardous, and other motorists will likely drive slower than usual. Being in a rush increases your risk of driving too fast or skidding on icy surfaces.  Other pre-driving checks:  Check your fuel levels – Cold weather reduces fuel economy in various ways, including increasing drag, reducing tyre pressure, and requiring longer to warm up the engine. Ensure you have at least a quarter of a tank to account for unexpected delays and higher-than-normal usage.  Plan your route – Main roads are likely to be cleared and gritted, making them a safe choice for cold and icy conditions.  Prioritise visibility – If needed, use de-icing spray and scrapers to keep windows clear. Remove snow and dirt from headlights and brake lights.  Check your handbook – Your car may have specific settings for driving in wintry conditions, along with additional safety tips.   2. On the road – practice safe driving  Winter driving requires heightened awareness and steady control. Even the most experienced motorists can be caught off guard by black ice, sudden fog, or unexpected snow. With conditions likely to change quickly, it’s crucial to adapt your driving style to suit the environment and avoid unnecessary manoeuvres that could compromise stability. Staying calm and deliberate behind the wheel is the best way to reduce risk to yourself and those around you.  Keep speed constant – changing gear and slowing down can be dangerous in slippery conditions, particularly if driving up or downhill.  Maintain safe distances – Poor grip increases the likelihood that wheels lock up under breaking, leading to skidding. Keeping a safe gap minimises the risk of a collision.  Use the right tyres – When driving in winter, your tyres should have a tread of at least 3mm. Installing all-season tyres ensures you have maximum grip no matter the weather.  Use fog lights appropriately – Fog lights can reduce other drivers’ visibility if left on. Use them when no cars are around, and when the road is poorly lit.  Be mindful of other road users – When road conditions are poor, it’s even more important to show courtesy to other road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.  3. After the drive – store it securely  Safety doesn’t end with the journey. As the weather continues to plummet, many vehicles go into winter hibernation. But storing your car in the garage presents challenges of its own, such as the need for proper vehicle maintenance to avoid accidents and damage.  When storing your car:  Keep it clean – Lingering dirt can eat away at paint or chrome work if it’s not washed away. Use a towel to dry your car and prevent the build-up of water inside rubber seals and trims.  Protect against rodents – Animals may seek a warm, dry place to stay during colder months. If they gain access to a vehicle, they can damage wiring and other soft materials. Ensure garage access points are properly sealed.  Watch for floods – Winter weather can increase the risk of water damage to cars, particularly if garages are underground. Have sandbags ready, and ensure adequate drainage.  Eliminate fire risks – Garages are often a storage-space for a variety of household items, many of which are flammable. Take precautionary measures, such as keeping chemicals in a metal cabinet, ensuring fuel is in its correct container, and securing a fire extinguisher to a mounted bracket.  Talk to us Winter driving presents unique challenges, but with the right preparation and awareness, you can minimise risks and keep journeys safe. If you’d like tailored advice on managing vehicle performance or broader risk considerations, we’re here to help. Visit our Performance page, or reach out to a member of our team. 

The onset of winter means brings with it shorter days, freezing weather, and icy roads. This makes driving increasingly hazardous; according to data from Admiral, the months from November to February see the highest percentage of severe accidents take place, with a 25% spike of car accident claims in November compared to April. 

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Winter driving

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Navigating the dangers of winter driving

When the winter weather takes hold, the risks to your cars multiply – icy roads and poor visibility, salt and grit causing damage to your paintwork, and even frozen windscreens. What’s more, journeys are often slower, less predictable, and more demanding. All in all, it’s little surprise that many drivers opt to store their car away for the colder months. But storing your car away also brings its own challenges for your car, and must be monitored carefully to minimise the risk of harm. Below, we’ve put together some key tips to ensure your car enters the following spring unscathed: Tyres – slightly over‑inflate them before storage to help prevent flat spots developing during long periods of inactivity. Cleaning and covering – wash the vehicle thoroughly, making sure it’s completely dry before parking it in the garage. If you’re particular about paintwork, a soft indoor cover will help protect against dust and debris, especially if the garage is in regular use. Moisture control – place dehumidifying crystals inside the car to reduce the risk of mould. Avoid heating the garage, as this can encourage moisture build‑up, and remember that most vehicles won’t be harmed by freezing temperatures. Battery and fuel – use a good quality battery charger or conditioner to keep the battery in working order; the best units cut off automatically when fully charged. Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in the car, as draining the tank is hazardous and leaves flammable vapour behind. Unless using ethanol-free fuel, use E5 and a quality fuel stabiliser to prevent damage to carburettors and fuel tanks, as well as degradation of incompatible fuel lines and seals. Engine and fluids – don’t start the car and leave it idling without driving, as this can cause harmful fuel residue to form in the engine. Also check that coolant is at the correct level; many garages offer a winter check if you’d prefer professional reassurance. Garage checks – inspect the garage regularly to spot potential hazards. Wildlife such as birds or vermin may seek shelter and can cause extensive damage (wiring is a particular target), and regular checks also help reduce fire risks Most of our policies are based around an anticipated annual mileage, which should include the winter months. If you don’t intend to drive your car during the winter, you can amend this to a ‘Laid Up’ cover. However, doing so will remove any cover to drive your vehicle anywhere that the Road Traffic Act applies. This includes certain areas of private land where traffic laws still apply, so you must exercise caution before using your car. If you keep your full cover in force, this will not present an issue. Want to leave it to the professionals? Opting for a professional storage company can be an excellent option in the winter months. High-quality storage facilities provide a dry, secure environment to store your pride and joy away from the elements, and give you complete peace of mind that your car is safe from harm. But not all storage companies are made equally. To ensure our clients – and their cars – receive excellent care, we’ve partnered with Concierge Car Storage to provide professional third-party storage services at an exclusive rate. Key features include: 24-hour monitored CCTV Intruder and fire-detection systems Physical barriers to entry (including security gates and ram-proof bollards) Other services included as standard are high quality car covers, battery management services, warm engine cycles, tyre protectors, and axle stands. Collection and delivery services are also available to help you protect your car without the hassle. Whichever storage company you choose, all you need to do is advise us of the storage company's name and address. We have existing relationships with most of the UK’s leading car storage firms, and their security measures are known to insurers. For other firms, we may request some additional information about the protection measures they have in place. If you plan to keep driving through the winter, read our article on how to stay safe.  For more information, reach out to a member of our team.

When the winter weather takes hold, the risks to your cars multiply – icy roads and poor visibility, salt and grit causing damage to your paintwork, and even frozen windscreens. What’s more, journeys are often slower, less predictable, and more demanding. All in all, it’s little surprise that many drivers opt to store their car away for the colder months.

But storing your car away also brings its own challenges for your car, and must be monitored carefully to minimise the risk of harm.

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Top tips for storing your classic or sports car over winter

Bought your car on finance? If so, you might want to consider guaranteed asset protection (GAP) to protect you against depreciation. In this article, our experts explain what Gap cover is, and how our policy can help. The rise of finance purchasing When buying a new car, one of the key decisions you need to make is how to pay for it. Buying outright was once the most popular means of purchasing a car, but alternatives methods have become increasingly popular in recent decades, including leases, contract hire purchases, and straight finance options. In fact, according to 2023 data from the Finance and Leasing Association, 78% of new cars registrations in the UK were paid for using financing arrangements. When including purchases of used cars, we borrowed a total of £52 billion to pay for our cars in a single year – a staggering sum. Why is Gap cover needed? When you use finance to buy a car, your lender will charge you interest on the total cost of the purchase. This means that if your car depreciates from the point of sale, its value will be less than the amount borrowed plus interest, even as the amount you owe reduces over time. Therefore, if your car is later written off following a collision or other incident, or stolen and not recovered, the sum you receive from your insurer may not be sufficient to clear the outstanding finance. This ‘gap’ is what’s covered if you choose to take out a Gap insurance policy. Exactly how much you will be required depends on your lender, but the amount will probably be presented in the shape of an early settlement figure. While many cars will depreciate, many classic, specialist or bespoke/high-end models can increase in value due to their rarity, specification or simple demand. What makes our policy different? In the event of a claim, most motor insurance policies pay up to the car’s market value. They do not typically cover any shortfall between this sum and the amount owed to your lender. Our policy offers benefits such as new car replacement and agreed value. However, even these can fall short when expensive balloon payments or long repayment periods are concerned. That’s why we also include Gap cover as standard, to ensure you’re comprehensively protected. That means you’ll receive the difference between the total loss settlement and any unpaid amount owed on a lease or financial agreement relating to your vehicle. * Our policy provides you this cover on any vehicle or vehicles you insure through Lockton. If you'd like to know more, reach out to a member of our team. For more information on our policy, visit our Performance page. *Terms and conditions apply. Compensation is not available for overdue payments, charges for wear and tear or excess mileage, and any additional products purchased with the finance and carried-over balances from previous finance or leases.

Bought your car on finance? If so, you might want to consider guaranteed asset protection (GAP) to protect you against depreciation. In this article, our experts explain what GAP cover is, and how our policy can help.

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Under the bonnet: Gap Insurance

Not all crashes happen by accident. ‘Crash for cash’ scams are a type of fraud, in which criminals stage an accident, often with innocent road users, to profit from fraudulent insurance claims. There are several ways that criminals may seek to cause an accident with other road users. This includes disabling break lights, braking without warning, or seeming to give way before crashing into you deliberately. Criminals may also work in conjunction with accomplice drivers on the road to confuse innocent road users and cause an accident. According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), new forms of crash for cash scheme continue to emerge, including ‘clip for cash’ scams. Scams involving mopeds have also become increasingly common, particularly in London and other urban areas. Who is at risk? All road users should beware the threat of crash for cash scams. However, some drivers could be at greater risk than others. According to Ask the Police, an online police resource, organised criminals may target victims that they perceive to be vulnerable and easy to deal with, such as older drivers. They may employ ‘witnesses’ to incidents to confirm the perpetrator’s version of events, and encourage the victim to admit fault. As with all frauds, many of the consequences are ultimately passed on to law-abiding motorists. Like all road traffic collisions (RTCs), crash for cash scams are extremely dangerous, and may cause serious harm to those involved. But even drivers who escape harm can face consequences, including loss of their no-claims bonus, and higher insurance premiums. Preventing crash for cash scams As a road user, you can’t completely protect yourself against crash for cash incidents. However, there are measures you can take to reduce your risk of being scammed: Use a dashcam – they will show exactly what took place in the event of a RTC and are accepted in evidence by the police and legal system Maintain distance – leave sufficient braking space between your vehicle and other road users at all times Stay alert – be aware of the way other road users behave. If a vehicle has ineffective or inoperative brake lights, this can be a sign that something isn't right. Watch out for other drivers making space for you too – they may be setting you up for a collision. If you do have a collision, watch out for the behaviour of the other driver(s) involved. Do they seem unbothered by the incident? Do they appear to be faking or exaggerating an injury? Are they insisting that you admit fault at the scene? If you are involved in an RTC, never admit fault – ensure that you and your passengers are all safe, exchange details and await recovery or the attendance of emergency services in a safe place if necessary; who is at fault is a matter for the relevant insurers to discuss. Have you suffered a crash for cash incident? If you think you may have been the victim of a crash for cash incident, speak to the police and your insurer immediately. If you need further advice, please contact a member of the Lockton team.

Not all crashes happen by accident. ‘Crash for cash’ scams are a type of fraud, in which criminals stage an accident, often with innocent road users, to profit from fraudulent insurance claims.

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Avoiding ‘crash for cash’ incidents

Lockton, the world’s largest privately-owned insurance broker, is proud to present the 2024 edition of Luxury Lens. Following the success of our inaugural Luxury Assets Report, we’ve refined our approach to offer a more comprehensive and insightful perspective on the risks and opportunities facing luxury asset owners. In a year marked by economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, the importance of bespoke insurance and risk management solutions has never been greater. Luxury Lens provides expert analysis and tailored recommendations across a wide range of luxury assets, from motor vehicles and fine art to watches, handbags, and more. Access the Report here

Lockton, the world’s largest privately-owned insurance broker, is proud to present the 2024 edition of Luxury Lens. Following the success of our inaugural Luxury Assets Report, we’ve refined our approach to offer a more comprehensive and insightful perspective on the risks and opportunities facing luxury asset owners.

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Luxury Lens: a new perspective on private risk

High desirability and strong resale potential make specialist cars a particular target for car thieves. Whether stolen for parts, cloned for resale, or shipped abroad, these vehicles are often individually targeted rather than opportunistically taken. For owners, this means that vigilance and layered protection are essential. While no security measure can provide absolute protection, adopting a combination of physical deterrents, electronic immobilisation, and advanced tracking technology can significantly reduce the risk to your vehicle. Criminals target high-value cars Specialist cars – including sports cars, classic cars, and other high-performance vehicles – attract some of the most sophisticated car criminals in the UK. High-value vehicles are often individually targeted, or stolen to order, for shipping to overseas locations. From there, they can be virtually impossible to trace and recover. According to data from the Office of National Statistics, there were 617,000 reported incidents of vehicle theft in England in Wales in the year ending September 2025. While this represents a slight decrease on the previous year, vehicle theft remains one of the most frequent categories of theft. Criminals now deploy devices and software capable of intercepting keyless entry signals, and overriding immobilisers, alarms, and tracking systems. In many cases, thieves can drive away in seconds without leaving visible signs of forced entry, making detection and recovery even more challenging. Key steps to minimise risk of theft There can never be an absolute guarantee of security. But taking sensible precautions and remaining vigilant can drastically reduce the chances of your classic or performance car becoming part of the car crime statistics. Best practices to mitigate theft include: Store your car safely – Between two-thirds and three-quarters of vehicle-related thefts occurred at home, according to the ONS. Ideally, cars should be kept in an appropriately secured garage. This may be mandatory under certain insurance policies. Professional storage facilities offer another option. Install an immobiliser – This will prevent your vehicle being started. Immobilisers are typically fitted to the ignition system, requiring a fob or similar device to override. The latest systems feature ADR (Automated Driver Recognition) to add an extra layer of protection. Use physical security devices – Steering wheel locks or pedal locks are a cost-effective and attractive low-tech option for road users, offering a visible deterrent to potential thieves. But these are best combined with more advanced security systems. Keep your keys secure – Many modern cars use keyless technology. However, keeping them in a safe place and using a Faraday pouch are recommended to protect against thieves. Create obstacles to theft – CCTV, motion-sensitive driveway lighting, and security-fitted bollards can all reduce the chances of theft. Parking a lower-value vehicle behind your treasured performance or classic car can prevent thieves from driving away quickly. Fit a car alarm – A simple but important security measure. If your vehicle is broken into, the alarm will alert anyone in the surrounding area. This can be enough to deter less determined car thieves. Install advanced tracking devices – Fitting a Thatcham-approved device for your car is often mandatory under classic and performance car insurance policies. Thatcham S5 trackers currently provide the best security, combining a tracking system with a secondary electronic immobiliser that’s shielded from devices designed to overcome default security features. The security measures available to you will depend on the make of your car. Speak to the business that looks after your vehicle if you’re looking to fit a modern security system to an older car. They should be able to guide you through the available options. Insurance-approved security bollards and barriers Quality security bollards and barriers remain one of the most proven and long-standing defences against vehicle theft. But the market is crowded with products claiming various levels of “anti-ram” performance. A common myth is that “anti-ram” means crash-rated — in reality, many of these products are simply heavy-duty and have not been tested. If you need to protect an asset against a specific vehicle size travelling at a certain speed, a correctly crash-rated bollard is required. When choosing a bollard solution, it’s important to work with a reputable specialist and ensure products carry recognised, insurance-approved accreditations. Lockton’s preferred partner, Rhino Security, can help ensure the right standard is selected. For more information about protecting your car, reach out to a member of our team.

The theft of a vehicle can be extremely distressing and inconvenient – particularly if it is hard to replace due to its rarity, specification, or simply the ongoing supply chain issues that continue within the automotive sector.

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Protecting your specialist car against vehicle theft 

For many within the specialist car community, there’s an understandable desire for the next generation to inherit their passion and enthusiasm for vehicles, old or new. Yet, when it comes to insurance, younger drivers typically face significantly higher premiums. In some cases, this can be enough to dissuade them from following in their parents’ footsteps.   Nevertheless, there are steps that young drivers and their families can take to minimise the cost of coverage:  Enrol on a driver training course  Training courses are an excellent way to improve the skills of any young driver. Lessons are usually provided by a combination of professional driving instructors and retired traffic police officers, all of whom are trained to a level well beyond most drivers. They will give each pupil intensive one-to-one training and asses their current driving ability.  Once complete, drivers will usually receive a report that grades their driving skills and identifies any areas for improvement. If positive, this feedback can be valuable when it comes to negotiating insurance cover and will give them a more affordable chance at driving more powerful or valuable cars.  Share your knowledge  For any driver, education is vital. Not only are no models exactly alike, but there are significant differences when it comes to driving a modern vehicle, when compared to a classic or specialist car.   For instance, most vehicles less than 15 years old are fitted with an array of driver assistance and safety systems, including even the most basic of family cars. Understanding that older cars are less reliant on technology is an important part of ensuring that novice drivers can use them safely.  To continue their education, car clubs are effective way for drivers to learn more about a range of topics including driving, safety, and maintenance. Ensuring young drivers have access to these resources will help to keep them safe on the road.  Drive while accompanied  In some cases, a young person may not be ready to drive on their own, but they still want to experience the joy that comes from getting behind the wheel. If so, you can take out specific cover which allows them to drive while accompanied by a parent or guardian. This acts as a stepping stone on their motoring journey and gives them an opportunity to learn first-hand.  You can review this cover at each renewal, with the eventual goal being to allow them to drive without supervision.  Build experience  Insurers like to see progressive experience and are more likely to agree to the addition of a young driver if they have already driven a range of performance vehicles. They are also more likely to agree to add younger drivers to the lesser cars under a collection with a view to building up to the more powerful models.  With that in mind, younger drivers should consider building experience in lower performance cars, before working their way upwards over time.  Use vehicles away from the road  Many younger drivers will have driving experience well before the age of 17 through various means, such as vintage car trials, junior motorsport, driving experience days, and young driver training. In some cases, families will own private land where vehicles can be used legally without being subject to the Road Traffic Act.  If you want to encourage your children to drive before they’re allowed on the road, it must be done in a way that remains completely legal. If you are in any doubt, seek advice from the relevant police force or Local Authority.  The older the car, the better  The next generation of drivers will be key to securing the future of veteran, vintage and older classic cars. Fortunately, these cars are also attractive for insurers, given the typically lower frequency of losses that they incur. This makes them a good option for young drivers looking to gain experience.   By contrast, there are certain vehicles that young drivers won’t be insured to drive, unless they have several years’ access without a claim or motoring conviction. Supercars and hypercars fall firmly into this category. Due to their extremely high performance, additional driver training would be mandatory, even if the young driver has been on the road for several years. Certain models require all drivers to have significant experience before cover can be provided.  It’s worth remembering that more mature drivers are also asked about their ownership history of higher performance vehicles. Where possible, it’s always a positive to seek additional tuition around the use of these cars to ensure your general roadcraft is kept up to scratch.  For more information, please visit our Private Clients page or contact:  Simon Ambler, Head of Lockton Performance  E: simon.ambler@lockton.com 

For many within the specialist car community, there’s an understandable desire for the next generation to inherit their passion and enthusiasm for vehicles, old or new. Yet, when it comes to insurance, younger drivers typically face significantly higher premiums. In some cases, this can be enough to dissuade them from following in their parents’ footsteps.  

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How young drivers can reduce their insurance costs 

Stacked with cutting edge technology, and with speeds that top out above 200 miles per hour, hypercars are the pinnacle of fast cars. But with a price tag in the millions of pounds, protecting these highly specialised machines requires dedicated hypercar insurance. Below, we’ve set out our complete guide, covering everything you need to know when purchasing hypercar insurance. What is a hypercar? The terms ‘supercar’ and ‘hypercar’ are often used interchangeably, but this isn’t necessarily accurate. The former is a catch-all for top-of-the-range performance cars, emphasising technology, design, and price. Hypercars, meanwhile, are the cream of the supercars crop. Representing approximately the top one percent of supercars, these cars push the boundaries of performance and design, with the specs to rival many a modern-day race car. Necessarily exclusive, hypercars are typically manufactured in very limited numbers, with most models sold by invitation only – accounting for their prized status among collectors. How much do hypercars cost to insure? The price of hypercar insurance will vary from model to model. However, owners of hypercars can expect to pay higher insurance premiums for their vehicles compared to supercars and other sports cars, reflecting the cutting-edge materials and technology they require to produce. Hypercar owners will also face stricter insurance terms in the form of higher excesses and restrictions on mileage. Owners may be required to demonstrate extensive experience of driving similar high-performance vehicles. For such a specialised asset, there is little point searching for an off-the-shelf insurance product. Therefore, it’s important to find yourself a specialist who can appraise your individual circumstances and respond accordingly. Valuing hypercars – why you need agreed value Given the limited production and unique specifications of most hypercars, they can be difficult to value accurately, and may appreciate in value over time. This can have significant implications in the event of a claim. For instance, in circumstances where a vehicle has been written off, its full value might not be covered under the standard insurance terms. Owners without appropriate protection risk being underinsured. To avoid this risk, it’s vital that your insurance policy values your hypercar on an agreed value basis. With agreed value: Pay outs for your hypercar are not set based on its market valuation, but at a value agreed between yourself and the insurer at the start of the policy. This value can be set based on the purchase price of the car, or by an external professional valuation. For cars between 2 and 15 years old, policies can pay up to 125% of the agreed value, or £250,000, whichever is less to replace the vehicle with one of comparable specification. Hypercar repairs – check your policy terms  If something does go wrong with your hypercar, it’s important that you get it fixed the right way, by the right people, using the correct parts. Insurance policies can vary significantly when it comes to repairs, so owners should make sure to familiarise themselves with their terms.  Things to look out for: Some insurers will apply an increased excess if you choose your own repair company. This is not a necessary condition of insurance. Extended new car replacement cover will mean that if your car is deemed a total loss following an accident, or stolen, within the first 2 years from its registration as a new vehicle, then the insurer will replace it with an identical model. The industry standard for writing a car off is repairs that total 60% of the car's value. It is possible to find more favourable terms to avoid a write off. If your car requires repairs that can only be carried out by the manufacturer, then the insurer should be able to arrange for your car to be taken to the factory and returned to its pre-accident condition. Regardless of where the car is repaired, it should only ever be done using genuine parts – vital with any high-performance vehicle. By taking steps to understand the repair process, owners can ensure they have complete peace of mind that the car will be as it was prior to any accident or repairs. Guaranteed Asset Protection – extra coverage for your hypercar If your vehicle is subject to a finance or lease agreement, then the settlement due in the event of a total loss claim may exceed the extended new car replacement cover. Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), included in Lockton’s policy as standard, is the solution. Any such policy should pay the difference between the total loss valuation of the vehicle and any settlement figure due under a lease or finance agreement. GAP will not cover any mileage or wear and tear penalties, add-on products or missed payments. For further information on any the above, contact: Andy Couper, Vice President, Lockton Performance E: andy.couper@lockton.com

Stacked with cutting edge technology, and with speeds that top out above 200 miles per hour, hypercars are the pinnacle of fast cars. But with a price tag in the millions of pounds, protecting these highly specialised machines requires dedicated hypercar insurance.

Below, we’ve set out our complete guide, covering everything you need to know when purchasing hypercar insurance.

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The complete guide to insuring your hypercar

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