General Insurance Article - Crash claims rise 8% after clocks go back

Crash claims rose by almost 8% in the fortnight after the clocks went back last year, according to new analysis from The AA's Accident Assist team.

Data from AA Accident Assist shows that the number of AA members making a claim increased from 2,949 in the two weeks before the October 2025 clock change to 3,178 in the fortnight afterwards, a rise of 7.8%*.

With the clocks going back this Sunday (25 October), The AA is urging drivers to adapt their driving as darker evening journeys return and autumn conditions make visibility more challenging.

Previous AA research of more than 10,500 drivers found half (50%**) of drivers claim they find it difficult to see pedestrians and cyclists when driving in certain conditions throughout autumn, while more than half (52%) said other drivers are not using their lights properly.

Two fifths (40%) say they dislike driving during darker mornings and evenings, while the same claim they regularly see other vehicles with defective lights.

However, darkness is not the only visibility challenge drivers face at this time of year. The biggest autumn driving bugbear was dazzle from low-lying sun, cited by almost three quarters of drivers (73%).

The AA says the clock change should act as a reminder for drivers to adjust their driving style accordingly, particularly as journeys that were being made in daylight only a few weeks earlier increasingly take place in darkness.

Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “An 8% increase in claims after the clocks went back last year is a timely reminder that drivers need to adapt as autumn takes hold.

“The clocks changing can mean a sudden difference to our regular journeys. A commute home that was made in daylight just a few weeks ago can suddenly be made in darkness, while autumn can also bring low sun, rain, slippery roads and poor visibility.

“Drivers need to adapt to what they can see. If visibility is poor, slow down and give yourself more time and space to react. Take extra care around pedestrians and cyclists, particularly at junctions, crossings and on residential roads, where they may be harder to spot in darker conditions.

“Our research shows just how challenging visibility can be at this time of year. Simple changes can make a difference such as ensuring your lights are working and keeping your windscreen clean inside and out. Reducing your speed and leaving more space between yourself and others can also make a big difference.

“If a collision does happen, safety comes first. Stop, switch off your engine, use your hazard lights and check for injuries. Exchange the necessary details with anyone else involved and, when it is safe to do so, take photographs of the vehicles and scene to help provide a record of what happened.”

AA Accident Assist’s five tips for darker autumn journeys