The Summer Breeze and a Soft-top, Plus the Partner of Your Choice

Half, 49%, of the British people have either driven or been a passenger in a convertible car, but only three in ten women, 29%, would choose their husband or boyfriend as their ideal partner for a ride in a soft-top. This compares to four in ten, 42%, men who say they would choose wife or girlfriend, according to a survey carried out on behalf of Privilege Insurance by MORI Financial Services (May 1999).

When presented with a choice of partners, 14% of women chose Mel Gibson, 11% preferred Sean Connery. Only 2% said Des Lynam. 11% of men chose Denise Van Outen and 9% selected Carol Vorderman - only one person (not per cent) out of 463 men chose Vanessa Feltz.

The survey also asked what people think the biggest advantage of driving a soft-top: 15% of both men and women thought that driving a convertible car attracts the attention of the opposite sex. People think the biggest advantage however is that it offers more enjoyable driving (22%), whilst 3% thought it was getting a free blow dry and 1% said it was getting a tan!

When asked what is the biggest disadvantage of owning a convertible, 21% replied high insurance premiums and 23% think it more likely to be stolen. Those more likely to worry about high premiums include: full-time workers on between 16317,500 and 16330,000, single people and tabloid readers. Those most worried about a convertible being stolen include men and tabloid readers.

A Privilege Insurance spokesperson says the survey illustrates the common view that convertible cars are seen as a greater risk than other cars. With the increasing popularity of soft-top cars, insurance companies have been slow to respond to the advances in modern car security, which has resulted in continuing high premiums for convertible drivers.

Privilege has been quick to take on-board the improvements in car security and offers discounts of 12.5% and higher, for convertibles fitted with approved security packages. This has greatly reduced the risk, which has long been associated with soft-top vehicles, providing peace of mind and lower premiums.

For more information on insuring convertibles call the Privilege Insurance Quoteline on 0990 998800.

Privilege Insurance is a major provider of insurance services specially designed for a number of leading companies including major utilities, banks and several of the UK's largest motor manufacturers. It also covers standard motor and home insurance risks through its relationships with third parties. The company is wholly owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland and is part of the Direct Line Group insurance division.

Technical details

Research conducted by MORI Financial Services between 21st and 24th May 1999, with a sample size of 1074 adults. Data has been weighted to be representative of the GB population in terms of age, sex, class and standard region.