The latest developments in the field of in-cab technology signals mean Northern Ireland van insurance customers have the chance to trim the cost of their annual premiums.

According to the wireless communication experts responsible for the "all-seeing" Driver DNA Box, White Van Man has the potential to transform himself into King of the Road with the introduction of the device.

Not only does it offer the potential to reduce the price of Northern Ireland van insurance by recording where a vehicle is travelling and how it is being driven, the device helps to reduce carbon emissions by spotting van faults so they can be tackled in good time.

Trimble's Andrew Yeoman explains that the DNA Box sends diagnostic information it records in a vehicle back to business managers, so they can monitor bad driving habits and how well the vehicle is running. This, he says, will save firms money by running teams more effectively, as well as offering the potential for cheaper van insurance premiums.

"Improving road safety is paramount to us and our fleet customers," he concludes. "If we can help drivers realise what they need to change and help prevent accidents then we are proud and pleased to do so."

More than two thirds of car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are in favour of government plans to make it an offence to keep a vehicle that isn't covered.

However, research by AA Insurance – unveiled at a motor conference held by the Association of British Insurers this week – shows that younger drivers are less likely to be in favour of the legislation. Just a quarter of car insurance customers aged between 18 and 24 "strongly agree" with the new rules.

Female car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and beyond proved to be more enthusiastic, with three quarters in favour compared to 64 per cent of men polled.

Out of nearly 14,000 AA members questioned, a total of 69 per cent expressed agreement with the proposed measures to tackle uninsured driving.

"Police already do have and do use powers to confiscate uninsured vehicles on the public highway," commented Paul Watters, head of public affairs at the AA. "Under new legislation, they will also have the power to issue penalties for offending vehicles that are on private land."

Northern Ireland motorists without car insurance face being fined £100 or having their vehicle seized and destroyed.

Around a fifth of motorists across Northern Ireland and the wider UK believe car insurance policies are deliberately designed to cause confusion.

New research also shows that a lot of Northern Ireland car insurance customers are unsure as to what exactly their policy does and doesn't cover them for.

One in five motorists polled by swiftcover.com are convinced car insurance providers set out to confuse them, while 42 per cent have trouble understanding the terms used in their policy.

"Car insurance is very complex, so this means that the wording used in policy terms and conditions can be fairly complicated," acknowledged Tina Shortle, marketing director at the car insurance site. "Some drivers struggle with the terms used in their insurance, but it's vital that they read and understand their insurance policies so they know exactly what they are covered for."

The car insurance study also revealed that 17 per cent of motorists believe a "fully comprehensive" policy permits them to drive any car. Nine per cent think it means anyone can drive their car.

Another 17 per cent of car insurance customers admitted they don't actually read through their policies in the first place.

Car insurance customers in Northern Ireland are being urged to view vehicle cover as a necessity, not a luxury, despite any financial difficulties imposed by the recession.

Acknowledging that a lot of Northern Ireland car insurance customers have had to cut back on household spending, broker Colin McEvoy nonetheless points out that all insurers now have to provide policy details to the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

"Data from the MID [are] then used by police to help combat uninsured driving," he tells the Belfast Telegraph. "If your details haven’t been entered on the MID, you may be stopped by the police with a risk that your vehicle could be seized if the correct details haven’t been registered."

Furthermore, McEvoy notes, getting caught without adequate car insurance is likely to lead to a fine – in addition to making it more difficult to acquire premiums in the future.

According to the Northern Ireland car insurance broker, policy costs are no longer more expensive in the region than in other areas of the UK, as was often the case in the past.

Further cost-cutting tips he provides include ensuring cars are garaged at night and paying more voluntary excess.

Car, van and motorbike insurance customers in Northern Ireland have again been reminded to take extra care behind the wheel ahead of hazardous winter weather conditions setting in.

According to data from comparison site Money Supermarket, nearly 4,500 motor accidents across Northern Ireland and the wider UK last year happened in snowy and icy conditions, while a third of them took place in the dark.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at the site, suggests that comprehensive motor breakdown cover is "a must" for drivers who are keen to avoid getting stranded in the cold.

"With comprehensive cover available for such competitive prices, it really is a price well worth paying for the peace of mind that you will be rescued if your car does grind to a halt," he observes. "While there is no good time to suffer a vehicle breakdown, it is especially worrying at this time of year with nights drawing in earlier and temperatures dropping."

Car insurance customers in Northern Ireland are further advised to make regular checks to their vehicles and carry a spare tyre, torch, reflective triangle sign, high-visibility jacket, first aid kit and jump leads in their vehicles.

Northern Ireland car insurance customers who turn to friends and relatives or attempt "DIY repair" after a motorway breakdown could end up victims of a fatal false economy.

That's the warning from car insurance experts at esure, who highlight a rise of a fifth in the number of deaths and injuries caused by accidents on motorway hard shoulders.

Research by the firm suggests more than two thirds of car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK would either call a friend or relative to rescue them or attempt a dangerous DIY repair on the motorway hard shoulder.

Its car insurance and breakdown cover specialists note that anyone who comes to help a motorist faces pulling over to the hard shoulder and attempting to fix the problem – inches from cars travelling at 70mph – without the aid of specialist hazard lighting, high-visibility clothing or professional equipment.

"Anyone who calls friends and relatives to rescue them on a motorway is potentially putting three or four people's lives into terrible danger. The motorway is not the place for DIY," says Mike Pickard, esure's head of risk and underwriting, who concludes that buying breakdown cover with car insurance can cost-effectively ensure motoring confidence.

Too many young car insurance customers in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are still driving recklessly and illegally, despite being aware of the dangers to themselves and others.

Research conducted by road safety charity Brake and the Co-operative Insurance shows 30 per cent of motorists under 25 admit flouting the law and driving dangerously. A quarter of the 3,548 drivers polled said they've taken to the road without car insurance, a valid MOT certificate or a licence.

Breaking the speed limit in built-up areas, racing friends, driving while using a mobile phone and going without a seatbelt were also found to be all-too-common practices.

Cathy Keeler from Brake maintains more needs to be done to make young motorists aware of the "deadly consequences" of irresponsible driving.

"Brake urges all young people to take the responsibility of driving seriously, making sure they're fully insured and driving legally, and never taking risks such as texting their friends while driving or overtaking on a blind bend," she states.

Figures indicate that, out of the 2,538 people killed on Britain's roads in 2008, almost one in three were individuals under the age of 25.

As heavy rain and floods batter the UK, Northern Ireland car insurance customers are being reminded that more than their homes are at risk of extreme weather.

To ward off the possibility of having to make an expensive car insurance claim, motoring experts at esure are advising drivers in Northern Ireland and the wider UK to avoid going near fords or puddles if they can't be sure they're a safe depth. They note that water damage to a car over the age of five "could easily make it a write-off".

According to the car insurance provider, more than £35 million was paid out by insurers after the 2007 floods that hit Northern Ireland, England and beyond. Most cars had either been caught in flood waters or abandoned by drivers who had tried to cross flooded roads or fords.

Mike Pickard, esure's head of risk and underwriting, further points out that water damage can take months to show up as corrosion causes mechanical parts to fail.

"Many motorists actually drive their cars into trouble by trying to cross water and misjudge its depth – when they should've just turned off the engine and waited for help," he concludes.

More than half of female car insurance customers across Northern Ireland and the wider UK feel intimidated taking their vehicle to a garage, new research suggests.

The poll of over 4,000 women by car insurance provider Diamond uncovered a desire among many for female-only garages. Fifty-two per cent of those questioned admitted feeling daunted by visiting a garage, while 31 per cent said they'd prefer women-only services.

A third revealed that, if given the choice, they would opt to buy a car from a female, while 60 per cent claimed they find car salespeople "patronising".

Sian Lewis, managing director of Diamond, pointed out that female motorists aged between 19 and 25 appear to be least confident when taking a vehicle to the garage, while over-55s are the most self-assured about doing so.

"Today's generation of female motorists are knowledgeable about cars and many do basic servicing themselves," she remarked. "According to our research, over 70 per cent of women know how to check the oil, water and tyre pressure on their car."

However, she concluded, female-only garages could eliminate the intimidating quality of what are often considered "men's domain".

As Christmas approaches, Northern Ireland car insurance customers have been warned that getting behind the wheel after a "festive tipple" just isn't worth it – not only could they be responsible for a serious accident, but they could be left uninsurable.

Car insurance experts at Money Supermarket point out that, although some providers will offer cover to convicted drink drivers, premiums will go up from an annual average of £300 to £578.

However, car insurance providers dealing with enquiries from customers in Northern Ireland and beyond will often not even return a quote if they are dealing with convicted motorists. Other car insurance firms refuse to insure drivers who have been banned in the last five years.

Steve Sweeney, the comparison site's head of motor insurance, says anyone planning on driving over Christmas should "stick to the soft drinks".

"A conviction could lead to a £1,000 fine, a 12-month driving ban on their licence, and even a possible prison sentence," he notes. "It is simply not worth taking the risk – the results of doing so can be costly and very damaging."

Home Office figures suggest one in eight motorists has driven after drinking over the limit.