Can defrosting your windscreen invalidate car insurance?
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Here in the UK, we certainly see a lot of up and down weather and this can be such a pain, especially when you’re trying to get into work on time. The black ice is enough to make anyone anxious and that, paired with lengthy traffic queues, are just the stressful stages after managing to sort out your frozen windscreen.
This being said – did you know that defrosting your windscreen can invalidate your car insurance? At 1st Call Windscreens, we are here to lend a helping hand to keep you fine-free and your car, in tip top shape.
The New Act
There’s a new Act that enforces rule ‘123 of the Highway Code’, stating ‘You must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.’
The penalty
Should you choose to ignore this new Act, you will be faced with a £20 fine or £40 if you delay payment outside of the time frame given to you.
What’s wrong with leaving your car idle?
Leaving your engine running, whilst you go back into the house is not only incredibly dangerous but it is also the perfect opportunity for thieves. If your car is stolen in a situation like this, it’s very likely that your insurance will refuse to pay out because you have invalidated your agreement by acting in a way that’s open to these risks.
Does this Act mean the car can never be idle – even when you’re on the road?
Of course when you’re driving and come to a red light, it is not expect of you to turn your engine off; it’s simply put in place to stop unnecessary noise and air pollution. You need not turn your ignition off at a traffic jam either, it’s a simple act put in place to stop people from carelessly leaving their cars and polluting the environment unnecessarily.
As there are more fuel-efficient vehicles now on the road, leaving your car idle for a short time frame whilst in a traffic jam will actually use up less fuel than if you were to switch it off.
Ways to avoid fines:
Give yourself time
Before heading to work, take into consideration the time it will take you to defrost your windscreen.
Use a windscreen blanket
Covering your car’s windscreen before you go to bed will shield your window from the frost. All you will have to do is remove it and pop it into the boot before getting into your car.
Warm water, not boiling
Using boiling water on your windscreen will shock the glass and cause it to crack. Apply luke-warm water, it’ll be enough to do the job.
Have de-icer to hand
See de-icer as a last resort; it’s not ideal for the environment but it’s better than boiling water on your windscreen.
Choose the right method when defrosting your windscreen
Defrosting your windscreen properly and keeping in mind your car insurance will go a long way when trying to avoid fines. Simply defrosting your windscreen will not invalidate your car insurance but ignoring the new act and leaving your car engine running in order to defrost your windows, certainly will.
1st Call Windscreens offer a first-rate service repairing and replacing windscreens. We offer our windscreen services throughout Maidstone, Sittingbourne and the rest of Kent. If you require a helping hand – call our friendly team today!
1st Call Windscreens
Hello and welcome to 1st Call Windscreens. To put it simply, we offer the best windscreen repair and windscreen replacement services for customers in Sittingbourne, Maidstone and the rest of Kent.
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I spoke to David today, he couldn’t be more helpful! He was VERY honest, HELPFUL & KNOWLEDGEABLE! What an amazing service, if anyone is looking to use 1st Call, I couldn’t recommend them more! ...
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Excellent Workmanship Good Value and Top Quality Customer Service: I recently had my Ford Fiesta ST heated windscreen replaced by 1st Call Windscreens, I couldn't be happier with the whole experienc...
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Brilliant service. Would recommend 1st call windscreens to anyone looking for an efficient service. Friendly and helpful above and beyond ! 0...
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Asked for a quote online which came through quickly. Just £48 inc vat for windscreen stone chip. Phoned to book a repair. I could either take the car to them or they would come out to me the next day....
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Tom turned up on time, he was professional but friendly, he kept me informed on what he was doing and progress, and did a great job! Thanks Tom. Would highly recommend...
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I needed my windscreen replaced due to a large crack; I was booked in straight away and I couldn’t be happier. They came to my house to fit the replacement, only took them about 20 minutes and they ev...
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Couldn't be happier, had my Evoque windscreen re sealed as was leaking. Highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens. The guys were extremely helpful & friendly both on phone and doing the work. The work was...
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Fantastic service, booked for a site visit to alleviate any disruption to the engineers day and it all went seamlessly. I would definitely recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will use them in the futu...
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Customer service were great responded to my call out vey quickly and the guy that came out was very nice and helpful Thank you...
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Had my chip fixed at my home this afternoon - cannot praise the service enough!!!! Lovely man who took 10-15 minutes - perfect job and no issues - very good price and highly recommend them Jo Seveno...
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Very helpful and carried out a repair at very short notice on our way to catch a ferry. Very polite and stabilised the chip in our windscreen so that we could continue abroad for our holiday uninterru...
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Made a call to 1st call windscreens as I was worried about a chip in my screen. The guys were very helpful, turned up on time and carried out a fantastic repair and was cheaperthan my insurance acce...
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We had an emergency windscreen repair needed when travelling down from Oxfordshire to Kent. The Sittingbourne team went out of their way to help us at very short notice and allowing us to resume our j...
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Jake was friendly, polite and helpful. He left no mess inside or outside the car and took away the boxes the seals came in even though they were supplied direct by the BMW dealer....
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Arrived on time at my home address. Was very professional, polite and efficient. No hassle and no mess. Screen was replaced on my mini in no time at all and looks perfect. Thank you will highly recom...
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So happy with Byron and Jake today very friendly and professional from 1st Call Windscreens Ltd. They come extremely well prepared with attention to detail. A great job was done on replacing my wind...
- 8 months ago
1st Call windscreens are absolutely 1st class. Spoke with David on the phone and he was so helpful and knowledgeable. Took our car up to them to advise on the correct windscreens which embarrassingl...
- 8 months ago
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