Media Centre

Yesterday's torrential rain left many motorists stranded andneeding to
call for assistance, said motoring organisation RAC.

At its peak, calls into RAC's Breakdown Assistance Centresdoubled* with
motorists in the Birmingham area generating the most breakdowncalls and
motorists in the Edinburgh area coming in a close second.

The most common breakdown faults were non-starts due to flatbatteries and damp engines but RAC patrols were also attending ahigh number of calls from motorists whose vehicles neededrecovering after becoming stranded in the flood conditions.

"Modern vehicles are full of electrical and electronic systemswhich are
adversely affected by flood water," said RAC rescue director ofoperations
Nigel Paget. "For many vehicles, the torrential rain and floodconditions
were just too much to cope with.

"Flood water damage can lead to expensive repair costs andfuture
unexpected failure. We would advise motorists affected by theflood
conditions to get their vehicle professionally checked as soonas
possible."

-ends-

* compared with previous Wednesdays in Autumn

For more information contact:
Tamsin Johnston
RAC Rescue PR Manager
Tel: 01922 727434
Mob: 07860 414007

Tessa Richardson
RAC Media Relations Executive
Tel: 020 8917 2742
Mob: 07860 633 656

Notes to editors:

About Norwich Union Insurance

• Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer with a market shareof around 14 per cent
• With a focus on insurance for individuals and smallbusinesses, Norwich Union insures:
  - One in five households
  - One in seven motor vehicles
  - Around 800,000 businesses
• Norwich Union products are available through a variety ofdistribution channels including brokers, corporate partners suchas banks and building societies and Norwich Union Direct.
• Aviva, Norwich Union's parent company, recently announced itsacquisition of the RAC.  The acquisition brings together theRAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise andleading position in motor insurance of Norwich UnionInsurance