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Car insurance holders 'using weird objects to de-ice windscreen'

02 Feb 2010

Posted by Dan Winters

The majority of car insurance policyholders do not use the correct equipment to de-ice windscreens, instead opting for the likes of credit cards and CD cases, according to new research.

A survey by Glass's Guide found that 90 per cent of car insurance policyholders used alternative de-icing methods, which included some very strange tools such as an old vehicle licence plate and a hair dryer.

One in ten of those questioned used a credit card or store loyalty card to scrape ice of their car, while pouring hot or warm water over the windscreen was a particularly popular method, being adopted by 13 per cent.

"Many motorists seem to have been caught unprepared and it is worrying to hear how some have resorted to fairly desperate measures," commented Andy Carroll, managing director at Glass's Guide.

The Association of British Insurers recently urged drivers to stay near their cars while de-icing them as if they are stolen while unattended this could invalidate the car insurance.