Staycation costs UK motorists dear

Motorists choosing to have a summer ‘staycation’, coupled with deteriorating road conditions, have been attributed to Auto Windscreens recording higher than normal windscreen repair figures in July and August this year.

Traditionally, job volumes in July and August for the automotive glazing services company are low as people choose to leave the UK for their summer holiday. However, Auto Windscreens has been non-stop this summer, with repair rates as much as 16% higher than the same period last year. To cope with demand the company has even had to recruit extra staff in its UK-based call centre.

Nigel Davies, Auto Windscreens Sales and Marketing Director, explained: “In previous years more motorists have chosen to holiday abroad resulting in their cars being off the road and therefore less opportunity for windscreen damage.

“There is an estimated £1bn shortfall in road maintenance budgets and, unfortunately, motorists who have chosen to save money and holiday at home this year are paying the price for that shortfall as the increased number of chipped windscreens we have dealt with will testify.”

Recent figures show that trips taken in England in 2009 were up by more than 7% compared to the same period last year. Similarly, outbound visits by UK residents were down by 17% compared to the same period of 2008.

If a driver is fully comprehensively insured it is far cheaper to repair a windscreen than replace it. Many drivers do not even have an excess to pay. Where possible Auto Windscreens will repair a windscreen rather than replace it.

Drivers wishing to have chips repaired before they become a costly crack requiring replacement, can book online at autowindscreens.co.uk.