Car insurer Aviva’s archives, dating back to 1911 when there were just 89,000 cars on the road, have revealed historic and unusual reasons for insurance claims in decades past.
Despite the lower number of cars accidents were more common in the past, with one accident per 14 vehicles in 1930, compared to one accident per 222 vehicles today.
Back in 1911 horses outnumbered cars by 36 to one, with one farmer claiming his horse died of shock when it saw a car.
Half a century ago in 1953 a ram took umbrage at a well-polished van, when it mistook its reflection for a rival and rammed the previously pristine vehicle.
In an overseas claim in 1955, a lion found its way into the back of a car and fell asleep, only to be woken when the driver started the car, which led the lion to tear up the interior.
The novelty of motoring could also lead to problems, as a claim in 1938 originated when a man struck a match in order to investigate a petrol leak.
Whilst today claims are proportionally less common fraud is an increasing issue, with ABI figures revealing that 2011 saw 45,000 motor insurance claims that were fraudulent.
Category: Aviva News, Car Insurance News, Insurance News
