Many consumers who borrow money to pay for insurance policies are taking on extra jobs and selling their cars as they struggle to afford cover, new research1 from the UK’s leading premium finance company, Premium Credit, shows.
Premium Credit’s research (1) shows 24% of those who have taken on more credit to pay for insurance over the past 12 months have struggled to afford policies in the past year.
Its Insurance Index study, which monitors insurance buying and how it is financed, shows 10% of people who have used credit to buy their insurance over the past 12 months have taken on extra jobs as a result, while 9% have sold their cars. That is three times more than the 3% who had sold cars when Premium Credit asked the same question (2) in March last year.
Around 6% say they have had to have pets put down because they cannot afford veterinary treatment while 4% have driven their vehicle without insurance and 2% claim to have turned to crime to raise cash to fund insurance.
Others have cancelled or amended policies - around one in twenty (5%) of those who use credit to buy cover have cancelled or amended buildings insurance because they can’t afford the total cost of their insurance, and 7% have cancelled or amended home contents insurance.
Premium Credit is advising customers to consider premium finance which, for a small charge, enables them to pay monthly for cover instead of in a lump sum. Spreading payments in such a way can help ease cash flow challenges and make paying for vital insurance simpler.
Adam Morghem, Premium Credit’s Strategy & Brand Director said: “It is concerning that people are struggling to afford important insurance and having to resort to selling their cars and taking on extra jobs as a result.”
“Premium finance is specifically designed for insurance buyers. Using the right credit to maintain important insurance policies is sensible. Looking to spread the cost of an annual policy into more manageable monthly payments works for many consumers and businesses.”
Notes to editors:
(1) Independent research conducted by Consumer Intelligence online among a nationally representative sample of 1,014 adults aged 18-plus between March 26th and 29th 2021
(2) Independent research conducted by Consumer Intelligence online among a nationally representative sample of 1,085 adults aged 18-plus between March 12th and 13th 2020
For further information please call Phil Anderson/Taylor Marriott at Perception A on 07767 491 519 / 07983 335 021