News from Bennetts....

BIKERS ADVISED TO ‘FOCUS’ ON WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday is officially the most dangerous day for bikers to take to the road according to statistics released today by Bennetts, the UK’s number one for motorcycle insurance*.

Published today, the Bennetts annual report into biking accidents reveals that one in six accidents occur on a Wednesday and one in seven involve a Ford Focus. The most surprising statistic from the report reveals that Sunday, traditionally the most popular day for bikers to meet up and ride, is the safest day to be on the roads.

Based on actual claims data, the hard-hitting findings show that the Ford Focus replaces the Vauxhall Corsa as the car most likely to be involved in a collision with a bike. This year, Ford takes the top three spots with the Focus, Fiesta and Transit becoming the most dangerous vehicles for bikers to look out for and avoid.

Almost a quarter of biking accidents in the Midlands involve a Focus, the South is the region most susceptible to accidents involving Ford Fiestas and almost 20% of incidents in London, home of the white van man, involve a Ford Transit.

The report also reveals that the capital is the most dangerous place to ride a bike, with 63% of all motorbike accidents happening in London. South West London is the most hazardous area within the capital for the third year running with 16% of the country’s accidents occurring there. Birmingham and Portsmouth are the riskiest cities outside London with 10% of all accidents taking place in both regions.

Whilst Wednesday is the most dangerous day of the week, spring appears to be the most dangerous time of year to ride a motorcycle. In stark contrast to last year’s findings, the worst dates on the calendar for biking accidents are 14th March and 2nd May with an 166% increase in claims on these days based on this year’s average. This is a dramatic change to last year when 29th September was named the most treacherous day for taking to the road.

Marketing Director of Bennetts, Mark Fells said of the findings; “Our annual report highlights the dangers that exist for bikers on the road from other road users, to the region you live in and even down to what day of the week is proving to be most hazardous for bikers to venture out. We hope that by releasing these statistics, all road users become much more aware of each other and ultimately help to reduce the number of accidents occurring everyday on our roads. ”

Source: BISL Limited August 2007

* Based on independent research conducted in July 2006

-Ends-

For further information please contact Katie Raven, Emily Dwiar or Barbara Feeney at Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email bennetts@frankpr.it

Bennetts is a trading name of BISL Limited, Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6YS. Registered in England No. 3231094.

BISL Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

THE BACKGROUND TO BENNETTS
Bennetts was established in Coventry by the Bennetts family in 1930 to provide insurance services to people throughout the West Midlands.

· In the early 1980’s Bennetts decided to devise a number of specialist insurance schemes that would meet the needs of different types of biker. These schemes are constantly reviewed to give bikers the exact cover they need.

· In 2000 Bennetts was the first motorcycle insurance specialist to offer the ability to buy insurance online, through its website, www.bennetts.co.uk.

In October 2001, the Bennetts brand was acquired by the BGL Group (formerly the Budget Group of Companies), through its purchase of the Dial Direct Group, a major UK car insurance intermediary.

· The BGL Group was established in 1992, and has grown to be the UK’s third largest personal lines insurance intermediary, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions.

The BGL Group now arranges and administers insurance for around 1,200,000 customers and has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland and Cape Town, South Africa. It currently employs 2255 people and its head office is in Peterborough.

In May 2003, Bennetts unveiled its new brand identity to the industry.

Bennetts became personal sponsor of former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson in May 2003.

In June 2004 and again in June 2006, independent brand tracking research identified Bennetts as the UK’s number one brand for motorcycle insurance.

In January 2005, Bennetts signed the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of the brand by becoming title sponsor of the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Bennetts continued its sponsorship of the British Superbike Championship in 2006 and 2007.

· In June 2007, Bennetts became official series sponsor of the World Superbike Championship for the remainder of the 2007 championship and for the whole of the 2008 championship.

· Bennetts became personal sponsor of current World Superbike Championship leader James Toseland in July 2007.