 Look out Joy! It's Sunday!: YouGov conducted a poll in August 2008 putting much-maligned "left-handers" ahead in the stakes when it comes to passing their driving test at the first attempt, 57% did so. Not bad, when you think they learnt in a vehicle ergonomically designed to accommodate right-handed people.
Growing up in a world where "right is might", left-handed people have to learn to adapt to uncomfortable gadgetry - in theory quickly developing a higher level of mathematical calculation and manual dexterity. Studies carried out by the St Lawrence University in New York showed that a greater number of left-handed people possessed IQs over 140 than right-handed people. Indeed left-handers stand on the shoulders of giants: Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Charlie Chaplin, Robert De Niro (even Kermit the Frog) were/are all left-handed.
In fact, of the last 5 US Presidents only George W Bush was right handed ... ;)
With regards to insurance, when every medical and physical condition is taken into account when calculating premiums - should left handed people qualify for an automatic discount?
Well, lets look at some of the statistics that are being thrown around:
In 2005 Churchill advised that women called "Joy" were the victims of more break-ins, accidents and water leaks than any other name, followed closely by Diana and Tracey. Men called Sean are also more likely to be burgled, to be involved in accidents and to make other household claims.
The survey also said that people living in the North East or in an end of terrace house are more likely to submit claims than anybody else.
Armed with these facts, is it worth changing your name to Susan to save on insurance premiums? Of course not, because insurers do not take most of this so-called "research" in to consideration when calculating premiums. They are curiosities for press releases.
Just as every left-hander is unlikely to be a better driver, women called Joy are not disabled as a result of the name their parents gave them. But even the more sensible stories being thrown at us have no real use. For example:
Nearly a third of all accidents in the home happen at the weekend. Rather than being a day of rest, Sunday tops the list with 16 per cent of total claims.
However, given that Sunday is the day when the majority of household members stay at home and is also the day for the traditional family meal, it comes as no surprise that there is a higher percentage of accidents. If you factor in Britain's obsession with DIY, Sunday football fixtures (with a couple of beers thrown in for good measure), reluctant stints in the garden and of course the kids, Sunday really is an accident waiting to happen.
Makes sense - nothing you or insurers can do about it. Information for information's sake. Although, at least all these have something to do with insurance ... unlike all Swiftcover's press releases which tend to revolve around sex and half-naked old men. †
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NCD News: Look out Joy! It's Sunday! - 26.01.10
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