Loading your car safely

There are a number of things to think about when packing your car full of items. Is there a right way and a wrong way to do it? And could you be putting any potential car insurance claim at risk by not loading properly?

Your journey may be for a house move, a trip to university, or a large shopping trip, but the rules are the same. Make sure everything is secure and in place, ensure that you can see well, and make sure your passengers are safe. Consider that any car will handle differently when fully laden.

Heavy duty
Inside the car, you need to first make sure everything's secure, starting with the heavy items. Keep the larger and heavier things low down or at the back of the boot. This will make packing easier, because it will give you better access to the smaller things and stop them from getting squashed. It also helps to keep the centre of gravity lower in the car to help with car handling.

Another reason to keep heavy items in the back of the boot (such as cases of wine or DIY materials), is to lower the risk of them bursting through in a crash. According to experts, pushing heavy items as far forwards (over the back wheels) as possible gives better weight distribution.

Slippery customer
It is advisable to pack smaller items securely to prevent them from sliding around or tipping over whenever you brake or turn. This will lower the risk of you getting distracted, and make the contents of the boxes safer. You can use empty boxes or plastic crates to stop smaller loads sliding around.

You should aim to keep your back (parcel) shelf clear, because any loose items left on this shelf will become dangerous projectiles in a crash, flying forwards and potentially causing serious injury to the people in the car.

Similarly, keep the front foot-well clear because loose items rolling on the floor can distract you and can be very dangerous if they get caught under the driver's feet or the pedals.

Staying on top
Consider using a roof rack or roof box for lighter or bulkier items, so you can have more room inside, particularly to see through the rear window. This could mean duvets and blankets go up top.

The rules for roof racks and boxes are:

1. Check the car handbook to make sure the load and the weight don't exceed the permitted roof load.

2. Ensure that loads are securely attached - fixings will work loose on a long journey so stop, check and re-secure regularly.

3. Don't forget the extra height, when, for example, entering restricted height car parks.

4. Pack bulkier but lighter items on the roof and heavier items low down in the car.

Keep a clear view
Make sure you can see as well as possible by not cramming things above the line of the seat backs. Remember that anything packed higher than this is at risk of flying forwards in a crash anyway. In addition, check your mirrors are properly angled to enable you to see well behind and to the sides.

It is well worth getting it right when it comes to packing the car safely. Doing it responsibly is down to you, and could help you in the event of a claim.

On the other hand, if an accident was caused because of your imbalanced or poorly-tied load, you could be putting any potential car insurance claim at risk. The best thing is to load up carefully and drive safely.

Why not get a quote on your car insurance from us today?