"carbon-neutral car insurance"

[bindeweede]

Is "carbon-neutral" the next "quantum" in misleading terms? I've just seen an ad for "100% carbon-neutral car insurance". So does my current insurance policy emit CO2? And if it's neutral, can it be lass than 100%?

Or am I taking ads too seriously.......:cheesy:

[Cuddles]

I've been struggling to work out what they're talking about. The only thing I can think of is that a policy based on how much you drive could then plant trees or something to offset the emissions. The only problem being that all the crap about planting trees to offset emissions is, in fact, crap.

[brettdbass]

I've been struggling to work out what they're talking about. The only thing I can think of is that a policy based on how much you drive could then plant trees or something to offset the emissions. The only problem being that all the crap about planting trees to offset emissions is, in fact, crap.
That is exactly what it is, in both cases.

[bruno.j]

maybe they are hoping that the punters brains are in "neutral " and they will all want to help save the planet ;)- a clear case of "yea right " if i ever saw one :ponder:

bruno.j

[scedwar]

Hmmm, we've been looking at the whole carbon neutral thing and getting some very mixed views on this. We've just launched our website Charity Rallies (we're a UK charity called Go Help) and looking to minimise the environmental impact of our silly events for charity. Would love someone to explain what this really means!

Thanks,

http://www.charityrallies.org

[Admin]

I had a quick look into this as I couldn't see how insurance could be carbon neutral.

It seems that when you take out insurance for your car they calculate (using averages I suppose) how much CO2 your car gives out in a year and then works out how much it would cost to offset this.

You get a quote like: £255 insurance + £12.50 carbon offsetting.

The offsetting is given to a company who, well, offset carbon dioxide! (Although I haven't checked this out).

Of course, you might get a far better deal on car insurance elsewhere and if you're really concerned about CO2 emissions donate to the 'carbon neutral company' (or similar of course) yourself with the money you saved!

So it's a bit gimmicky (IMO) but I suppose there's something to it (even if it just eases your conscience) but there's nothing stopping you from getting the best insurance deal possible and donating towards offsetting yourself.

[bindeweede]

Well my little car (you might call it a "pensioner-magnet") is already in just about the lowest bracket for emissions for petrol vehicles. So they can stick it.>:-)