The Domino Effect of Tailgating
We’ve all experienced it. You are peacefully on your journey, when out of nowhere the car behind you is practically glued to the boot of your car - making it impossible to slow down or change lanes. Well, you would not be alone if you saw this as one of the most annoying things to happen on the road. According to the AA, 27% (of a poll of 12,014) drivers say that tailgating is the most irritating trait carried out by other drivers. We can all agree that it’s frustrating, stressful and most of all, dangerous!
Not only is tailgating just one of the most intimidating driving habits, but it is also one of the leading causes of road collisions. When someone leaves no room to react, even the smallest mistake can trigger a costly and potentially life-changing accident.
Why Tailgating is more of a risk than you think
At approximately 60 mph your car can travel up to 80.4 metres in just three seconds. That is all the time you have, to spot a hazard, process it and react. Tailgaters erase that safety buffer.
Here are just several of the issues that stem from tailgaters:
- Sudden stops lead to impactful collisions and rear-end shunts.
- Chain reactions can turn one minor bump into multi-car pile ups.
- Reduced visibility means the tailgater has little idea of what is happening in front of them.
So, you can see why and how rear-end car collisions can take place so frequently, and it is usually the actions of a tailgater which are to blame.
The real cost of a tailgaitng collision
The impacts of these crashes are not just physical. Even a low-speed collision can cause expensive repairs, written-off vehicles, and hefty financial losses.
If your car is written off or stolen, your insurer will only pay out its market value at the time of the claim. Unfortunately, that figure is often far less than what you originally paid or still owe on finance. This is where many drivers face a nasty financial gap.
Recent research by The AA confirms what many drivers already know: tailgating is considered the most aggravating behaviour on the roads. What’s even more concerning is 55% of respondents felt that tailgating had become more common in recent years.
When Collison’s Strike: GAP Insurance matters
Imagine your car has been written off in an accident caused by tailgating. Traditional motor insurance will typically pay you the market value at the time of your claim. But that value often falls short of what you paid for the car or what you still owe in finance. That is where the ‘gap’ emerges - and it’s often a gap many drivers regret too late.
GAP Insurance is designed to cover that shortfall.
Return to Invoice: This bridges the gap between your insurer’s payout and either your original purchase price, or the amount you still owe on your finance, whichever may be higher.
Return to Value: This is to help cover the difference between what your insurer pays out based on the current market value of your car and the original value you paid for it when you first took out the policy.
Contract Hire and Lease: This insurance covers up to £15,000 towards the outstanding balance on your agreement, including £3000 towards your initial rental payment, £500 towards insurance excess payments and £1500 on accessories cover.
In essence, if you are unlucky enough to get caught in a tailgating accident, that leads to a write-off, GAP can ensure you’re not left out of pocket.
[Get A GAP Insurance Quote Today]
