NRMA Insurance said it supported a push by car manufacturers for greater financial incentives for motorists who purchase hybrid or fuel efficient cars*.
As the first insurer in Australia to offer a saving on comprehensive car insurance policies for fuel efficient cars, NRMA Insurance said financial rewards for greener cars was a win for the hip pocket and the environment.
NRMA Insurance State Manager Brett Robinson said the offer was first introduced in March 2007 and has since been welcomed by customers.
"Since we introduced the offer, we’ve seen a 66 per cent uplift in the number of Queensland customers saving on their car insurance premiums because they drive a fuel-efficient car," he said.
"As more fuel efficient models hit the market our list of cars attracting the saving continues to grow.
"Weather and climate have a significant impact on our customers and our business. We’re pleased to be the first insurer in Australia to offer an incentive for customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions."
Mr Robinson said all new and existing NRMA Insurance customers (at their next renewal) who own a recognised vehicle with a fuel economy of 5.5 litres per 100km or better receive a saving of up to 10 per cent^.
"We know carbon emissions are one of the biggest contributors to global warming and this, coupled with the rising cost of fuel, means there’s no better time to provide an added incentive for our customers to do something positive for the environment," he said.
"With an estimated 10.9 million cars on the roads** if we can encourage drivers to buy cars that help to reduce their environmental footprint, then we believe it’s a step in the right direction.
"What’s more, fuel efficient cars not only attract a saving from NRMA Insurance, but they’re environmentally friendly and cheap to run."
For a list of cars that attract the NRMA Insurance fuel efficient saving visit: http://www.nrmaqld.com.au/about-us/environment/fuel-efficient-saving.shtml
NRMA Insurance also has a number of other initiatives which are aimed at helping to reduce the risk of climate change, including:
- Climate Help: A website where motorists can offset their cars’ emissions;
- Greensafe Car Profiler: An online resource to help motorists make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle based on environmental and safety factors;
- Carbonators: NRMA Insurance offsets one tonne of carbon emissions with every new comprehensive car insurance policy sold in Queensland. More than 38,000 tonnes of carbon have been offset to date - enough to equal the pollution produced by around 8,800 cars in a year^*.
- Conservation Volunteers Australia: NRMA Insurance staff can use their volunteer day to help plant trees.
NRMA Insurance is also a member of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), named a Global 100 Sustainable Corporation.
* Honda Australia has called for incentives such as cheaper registration to help motorists buying hybrid cars. Toyota has announced it will build a hybrid Camry in Melbourne from 2010.
**Australian Bureau of Statistics; Survey of Motor Vehicle Use 2005.
^NRMA Insurance has identified a list of qualifying cars based on a threshold of 5.5 litres / 100km as determined and published by Australian Design Rules. This list will be updated as new cars come on to the market.
^*Based on annual carbon emissions for a car with fuel consumption of 10-12L/100km travelling 15,000kms/year - Australian Government Office of Climate Change, www.greenhouse.gov.au
