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The Right Kind of Protection

From Bob Dylan to Bright Eyes, the folk tradition in the second half of the twentieth century has consistently protested against what many see as the control and surveillance of Western populations via intricate systems of number, card and technological identification. From US Social Security, to UK National Insurance, to pin codes, photo ID, tax codes and beyond, there is plenty of fodder for the aforementioned singer-songwriters to attack. Indeed, citizens of the UK are the most watched in the world, as the average UK inhabitant is caught on camera more times a day than most other European countries combined.

It is clear that some of these computerised databases are a worrying impingement of the supposed ideals of personal freedom and respectful privacy which Western democracy pretends to uphold. Yet despite these aberrations, there are some elements of taxation and numeration which we would do best to comply with.

Chiefly amongst these is the matter of insurance. Alongside the obvious category of home insurance, car insurance is another task which we might not jump for joy at, but which really can end up paying dividends. Even if you are the safest driver in the world, it does not make you protected from the recklessness of other drivers, the inclemency of dangerous weather, or an unexpected breakdown of your vehicle. The best you can hope for is a substantial no claims discount if you change insurers or a no claims bonus on your existing policy if you have been with the same provider for several years.

One stone you should not leave unturned when it comes to car insurance is the Co-operative. The company is not unknown in the finance sector – its bank is one of the few lenders to commit to ethical and socialist roots – but not necessarily as an insurer. However, with the yourmoney.com 2008 award for best online car insurance provider, all that might be set to change. Whilst we can carry on bemoaning the government’s suspect surveillance of its citizens and visitors, spare car insurance the musical lament.

 
 

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