London, UK - The ultimate supercar is the Aston Martin DB9 with 45% of British luxury car owners voting it as the best of the best according to a new report. But once bitten by the supercar bug, owning ‘just one’ supercar simply isn’t enough according to ‘The Hiscox Report’ which quizzed 250 supercar owners on their opinions of the luxury car market.
The Ultimate Collection of Supercars
The report, by specialist insurers Hiscox, shows that if they could ignore the £2 million price tag and secure the world’s best curator, luxury car owners want a fantasy garage of five incredible vehicles at their disposal made up of the following five supercars:
1. Aston Martin DB9
2. Aston Martin Vantage
3. Bugatti Veyron
4. Porsche 911
5. Ferrari Enzo
Steve Langan, Managing Director of Hiscox UK said, “This is a discerning group of customers who appreciate rare and expensive brands. It’s good to see an icon of British luxury in positions one and two.”
The Aston Benz 911 Ferrari
Failing that, luxury car owners are waiting for the definitive supercar to be manufactured - the ‘Aston Benz 911 Ferrari’ - an awe inspiring montage of some of the world’s most iconic modern supercars. The ‘Aston Benz 911 Ferrari’ would boast:
1. The aggressive front of the Aston Martin DB9
2. The elegant sides and rear of the Aston Martin Vantage
3. The deep front vents of the Mercedes – Benz SL or Audi R8
4. The headlamps of the Porsche 911
5. The dual bonnet scoops of the Ferrari 599
Steve Langan added, “People who are passionate about luxury cars demand excellence. We knew our customers found the sound of the engine and the ‘tick, tick’ of the indicator strangely seductive but our research showed that this group have very developed fantasies when it comes to cars.”
The Hiscox Report was commissioned by Hiscox to gain a fuller understanding of the luxury car market including the ultimate car fantasies of high-net-income luxury car owners, the factors that affect their car purchasing decisions and the concerns and risks that come with owning a supercar.
What’s So Appealing About Owning A Supercar?
88% of luxury car owners voted engine power and performance as one of the best things about owning a luxury car and a ‘must have’ to be considered the perfect specimen.
1. Engine power and performance (88%)
2. In-car technology and gadgets (80%)
3. Attractive bodywork (76%)
4. Peace and quiet inside (55%)
5. Smell of interior (49%)
What Are The Risks With Owning One?
Although having a powerful engine comes first and foremost for luxury car buyers, at the same time almost half (46%) warn that owning a performance vehicle puts you at risk of getting a speeding ban and losing your license.
The report also shows that just over a quarter (26%) of high net worth individuals who own performance vehicles are worried about being victims of road rage attacks and a further one in ten (9%) think that owning a luxury car meant they were more likely to get a parking ticket.
Steve Langan commented, “People who own supercars are often thought to be bullish, arrogant, speed demons but, contrary to popular belief, most are careful, conscientious drivers. They are keenly aware of the power under their bonnets and, according to our research, rank looking out for speeding regulations as the number one factor for consideration when making a journey.”
Mr Langan added, “More than half (51%) of those polled dreamed of owning a supercar from a young age so it’s no surprise they feel slightly self-conscious when driving them. They worry that other road users are envious and feel they are unjustly singled out and punished as a result. Whether this view is heightened in the current climate, remains to be seen.”
Kidnap (6%), fraudulent claims (4%) and car jacking with a gun (3%) also featured on the list of the top risks associated with owning a supercar.
Mr Langan concluded, “There are risks associated with driving any car – performance or otherwise. The most important thing is to drive safely, make sure you are insured and just enjoy the ride. Our Premium insurance package will take care of everything else.”
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For further information
Resonate PR:
Abbie Cohen – Acohen@resonate.uk.com or 020 7861 3815
Kim Power – Kpower@resonate.uk.com or 020 7861 2430
Sarah Street – Sstreet@resonate.uk.com or 020 7861 3970
Hiscox Group Communications
Kylie O’Connor – Kylie.oconnor@hiscox.com or 020 7448 6656
Notes to Editors
On behalf of specialist insurers Hiscox, The Future Laboratory carried out a survey of 250 luxury car owning high-net-income individuals (HNIIs). Aged between 35-55 the respondents had an average household income of nearly £250,000. The aim was to gain a fuller understanding of the luxury car market; identify the key factors influencing the purchase of a luxury car; and highlight particular characteristics and concerns of high-net-income luxury car buyers.
About Hiscox
Hiscox, headquartered in Bermuda, is a specialist insurance group listed on the London Stock Exchange. There are three main underwriting parts of the Group – Hiscox Global Markets, Hiscox UK and Europe, and Hiscox International. Hiscox Global Markets underwrites mainly internationally traded business in the London Market – generally large or complex business which needs to be shared with other insurers or needs the international licences of Lloyd’s. Hiscox UK and Hiscox Europe offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers, as well as high net worth individuals. Hiscox International includes operations in Bermuda, Guernsey and USA. Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd, Hiscox Underwriting Ltd, Hiscox ASM Ltd and Hiscox Syndicates Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
For further information, visit www.hiscox.com