LV= Reveals Drivers Lost GBP58.5 Million From 'Unfair' Parking Tickets

BOURNEMOUTH, England, March 18, 2011 - LV=, the car insurer, has revealed that drivers lost GBP58.5m last year
by failing to appeal against parking tickets issued in 'unfair'
circumstances.

In 2010, one in twenty (5%) motorists in the UK received a parking ticket
where they had grounds to appeal. Despite this, only one in five (22%)
drivers bother to contest a ticket once issued; but of those who do, nearly
nine in ten (88%) claimants are successful.

When questioned, over half of UK drivers (53%) who do pay when issued
with a ticket in unfair circumstances do so because they assume they will not
win an appeal. Many drivers say they are confused about the procedure for
appeals, with one in twelve (8%) not knowing how to initiate a claim.

The majority of 'unfair' parking fines are issued in areas where parking
signage is unclear. Other reasons include misleading road markings, being
issued with a fine while walking to a machine to buy a parking ticket and
being fined when the car was broken down. A small but significant number of
drivers report parking attendants actually fabricating evidence to support
issuing the ticket (2%).

Most (49%) of tickets issued unfairly are given out on public roads but
surprisingly one in ten (10%) are received in car parks of public buildings
managed by local authorities, such as libraries, hospitals and GP surgeries.
A similar number (9%) are given out in commercially operated car parks.

The cost of a parking fine varies widely across the UK but the research
found that the average cost paid by motorists given a ticket in unfair
circumstances is GBP42. The majority of this money is pocketed by local
authorities, who issue nearly three quarters (74%) of tickets in unfair
circumstances. London councils make the most money per parking penalty
issued, with Camden, the neighbourhood of celebrities such as Amy Winehouse
and Kate Moss generating an average of GBP78 per ticket. Outside of the
capital, Poole Council pockets nearly GBP30 per ticket, while Tendring
Council in Essex makes just GBP16 per ticket and South Gloucestershire takes
the least money at just GBP10 per ticket issued.

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= car insurance, said: "It's
shocking to see motorists paying out millions every year in unfair parking
tickets, particularly at a time when soaring fuel costs are already putting a
huge strain on drivers. It is vital that the appeals process is communicated
clearly in all tickets, penalty notices and subsequent documentation to
ensure drivers are aware of their right to contest a fine they feel is
unjustified. Although the appeals process may sometimes seem time consuming,
motorists should be encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of appeals
are successful, and we'd urge them to take action against any unwarranted
fines."

About Liverpool Victoria:

All research unless otherwise specified was conducted by ICM. ICM
interviewed a random sample of 2,003 adults in Great Britain aged 18+ from
its online panel between 25 and 27 February 2011. 1,728 of those surveyed
were drivers. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have
been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British
Polling Council and abides by its rules.

LV= is a registered trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society
Limited (LVFS) and a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group of
companies.

As the UK's largest friendly society LV= is here to help customers make
the best choices when it comes to their money. The company offers a range of
car insurance (www.lv.com/insurance/car_insurance/), home insurance
(www.lv.com/insurance/home_insurance/) and travel insurance
(www.lv.com/insurance/travel_insurance/) products that are both good
value and award-winning.

    PR Contact:
    Sally Silver
    LV=
    County Gates
    Bournemouth
    BH1 2NF
    +44(0)208-256-6896
    www.lv.com

PR Contact: Sally Silver, LV=, County Gates, Bournemouth, BH1 2NF, +44(0)208-256-6896