Direct line appoints 'head of carma' to address the balance in the motoring world

4 min read
  • Car insurance provider’s ‘Good Carma’ initiative to be led by Dr Gary Wood
  • Direct Line’s changes to its policy means that if a customer's car is damaged in certain scenarios1 they will not lose their No Claim Discount (NCD)
  • Dr Gary Wood will host a podcast series later this Spring
     

Direct Line is the first insurer to give motorists “good carma”, ensuring that if your car is damaged, it is not your fault and there is no third party to claim against, you won’t lose your NCD.

To mark the launch of the policy, Direct Line has appointed leading psychologist, Dr Gary Wood, as its Head of Carma. The role will see him lead the brand’s mission to address the balance on the roads – a move which will reduce customers’ annoyance and sense of injustice when their cars are damaged or stolen.

Working with the brand, Dr Wood will explore how a belief in karma affects the way in which drivers behave towards each other on the roads, and how this, in turn, impacts their fate when it comes to situations that are out of their control, such as flooding, fire, theft or being hit whilst parked.

He will also co-host a podcast series later this Spring to discuss the nation’s belief in the theory of karma and how this drives our everyday life.

Dr Gary Wood, commented: “Motoring can be a great source of stress and we often add to this by complaining about other people's bad behaviour. The more we focus on something, the bigger it seems. So it's good to create a little balance by sharing some positive stories of good practice. When did something nice last happen to you on the road? And how did you pay it forward and pass on the good karma? A good experience on the road can set us up to for the day. Collectively, small positive acts can make a big difference.”

The ‘Good Carma’ project celebrates Direct Line’s policy changes which are  designed to make insurance easier for customers by ensuring that if their cars are damaged in certain scenarios*, they will not lose their (NCD).

The new measures will be standard in Direct Line’s comprehensive car insurance policies for new and existing customers and ensures that customers’ no claim discounts won’t be affected if they make a claim due to;

 

  • Damage caused by potholes or poor road maintenance
  • Fire
  • Theft of or from the car
  • Being hit whilst parked
  • Flood
  • Hitting or being hit by a wild or domestic animal
  • Being hit by object or debris (excluding vehicles)

*Customers will still need to pay any applicable excess, which they can check in their policy schedule.

 

Wendy Pearson, Head of Marketing at Direct Line, added: “We’re really proud to drive the nation forward with an innovative policy that really powers good ‘carma’ for our customers. To have leading psychologist Dr Gary Wood at the helm further ensures new and existing customers can rest assured that with Direct Line, they don’t have to worry about losing their NCD in situations out of their control.”

 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Dr Gary Wood is available for interviews, upon request.

 

For further information please contact:

 

The Direct Line team at Frank PR

DirectLine@frankpr.it 

Or call 020 7693 6999

 

Simon Henrick

Head of news and issues

Direct Line Group

Simon.henrick@directlinegroup.co.uk

01651 831 668

 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com