[Household Burden of Car Insurance Premium Hikes] 90% Fear Summer Heat Troubles, and 40% Fall into the Blind Spot of 'Car Overheating'

Element Inc. (Headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Tsutomu Kondo) conducted a "Survey on Summer Car Maintenance and Car Insurance Awareness" targeting 500 male and female drivers aged 24-69 nationwide who drive their private cars at least once a month, ahead of the peak travel season, through its car insurance comparison site "Jidosha Hoken STATION" (https://car-h.info/).

This summer, many drivers are planning long-distance drives. However, the "rising cost of living," including successive increases in car insurance premiums and soaring gasoline prices, is directly impacting household finances, with 84% actually feeling the burden of maintaining their cars. This trend of "neglecting maintenance" due to a focus on saving money has highlighted the increased risk of engine trouble (overheating) caused by recent extreme heat.

In particular, a significant number of people are at risk because they do not know the exact role of the "oil filter," a critical component often called the "kidneys" of a car, or have neglected its replacement for over a year.

This release will provide a detailed explanation, along with survey data, on the risks of poor maintenance brought about by economic trends and how to utilize car insurance to protect household finances in case of trouble.

Survey Overview

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Target Audience:

Screening: Males and females aged 22-69 nationwide

Main Survey: Males and females aged 24-69 nationwide who own a private car (including mini vehicles) and drive it at least once a month.

Survey Date: June 2026

Valid Responses: Screening 1,000 samples / Main Survey 500 samples

Survey Organizer: Element Inc.

Survey Agency: Freeasy (Ibridge Inc.)

Survey Results Summary

- 84% are affected by rising prices on car maintenance costs. - 92% are concerned about "battery failure or engine trouble" during summer drives. - 43.2% "do not know" the exact role of the oil filter or its commemorative day.

Related Column Here

Summer Drive Demand and "Sense of Crisis Regarding Extreme Heat"

45% Plan "Long-Distance Drives of 1 Hour or More One Way" for This Summer Vacation/Obon Holidays

Regarding plans for long-distance drives using private cars this summer, 17.4% stated "specific plans are already in place," and 27.6% said "no specific plans, but considering it."

Combined, 45% of drivers intend to travel long distances during the holiday season, indicating high demand for car usage during summer vacation.

The Most Common Concern During Summer Extreme Heat Drives is "Battery Failure (50.8%)", Followed by "Engine Trouble"

The most frequently cited concern for car trouble during drives in extreme heat (maximum 3 choices) was "battery failure" at 50.8%.

This was followed by "engine trouble/overheating" at 41.2%, "tire puncture/burst" at 41%, and "air conditioner failure" at 34.6%, indicating high concern about vehicle malfunctions due to heat.

"Neglecting Maintenance" Due to Rising Prices

84% Are Affected by Rising Prices in the Last 1-2 Years on Car Maintenance and Repair Budgets

A survey on the impact of recent price increases (gasoline, parts, labor, insurance premiums, etc.) on car maintenance costs revealed that "considerably affected" was 35.6% and "somewhat affected" was 48.4%.

Combined, 84% of drivers are experiencing increased burdens and are trying to save money.

The Frequency of Regular Maintenance (Excluding Vehicle Inspections) is "Once Every Six Months or More" for 36.6%, the Highest Result

Regarding the frequency of voluntary inspections and oil changes other than vehicle inspections, 36.6% responded "once every six months or more," and 30.8% responded "about once a year," totaling 67.4% who perform regular maintenance.

On the other hand, approximately 20%, or 19.6%, answered, "I hardly do any voluntary maintenance except during vehicle inspections."

"Filter Crisis" Revealed Ahead of July 10th

43.2% "Do Not Know" the Exact Role of the Oil Filter or its Commemorative Day of July 10th

Regarding awareness of the oil filter (element), the combined percentage of those who "have heard the name but do not know its role, etc." (29.4%) and "do not know the part itself" (13.8%) reached 43.2%.

Furthermore, only 5.6% fully knew both the "commemorative day" of July 10th and its "role."

65% of People Perform Regular Replacement of the Oil Filter "Within 1 Year"

Regarding the most recent oil filter replacement period, 27% responded "within six months," and 38% responded "within six months to one year," totaling 65% who replaced it within one year.

However, there was a combined 35% who answered "have not replaced it for over a year" (18.8%) or "have never replaced it" (16.2%).

Driver Usage Patterns

"Car Dealerships" are the Most Common Place for Car Maintenance, Such as Inspections and Consumable Replacements, at 53.61%

When asked about where they typically get their cars inspected or have consumables replaced, "car dealerships" accounted for 53.61%, exceeding half of the responses.

This was followed by "local repair shops" (16.72%) and "car accessory specialty stores" (11.97%), indicating that relying on specialized shops is the mainstream.

"Agency-Based" Insurance Contracts Account for 47.13%, and "Direct-Based" for 42.99%

In a survey targeting drivers enrolled in voluntary insurance, "agency-based" contracts, applied for through dealerships or agents, were the most common at 47.13%.

On the other hand, "direct-based" contracts, applied for directly online, also reached 42.99%, revealing a usage pattern where the shares of both are nearly equal.

Awareness of Car Insurance Roadside Assistance

46.8% Know That Roadside Assistance Services from Their Car Insurance Can Be Used in Case of Trouble

Regarding awareness of whether roadside assistance services from their voluntary insurance can be used in case of an unexpected breakdown, 46.8% answered, "I know well and will call the insurance company's service first in case of trouble."

On the other hand, 32.2% stated, "I vaguely know but don't have the contact information," and 21% were unaware.

Car maintenance to get through the summer heat and how to utilize car insurance in case of vehicle trouble are important issues for drivers.

Further details of this survey and how to control proper maintenance costs are explained in the following column.

Column Based on the Survey Here

Regarding the Use of Survey Results in Articles, etc.

When quoting the content of this press release, please take the following actions:

- Indicate that the source is a "Survey by Element Inc. and Jidosha Hoken STATION." - Include a link to Jidosha Hoken STATION (https://car-h.info/).

Prohibited Actions: Use for purposes that violate laws or public order and morals, or for purposes that damage the honor or credibility of our company or third parties, is strictly prohibited.

About Car Insurance

https://car-h.info/

Element Inc. supports users in choosing insurance through the planning and operation of car insurance comparison sites. With a track record of over 16,000 car and motorcycle insurance contracts, we provide a system that allows for easy comparison of products from multiple non-life insurance companies at a glance.

As a company strong in car insurance, we continuously produce insurance comparison content, conduct data analysis, and improve site operations, disseminating insurance information from a user's perspective.

About Element Inc.

https://element-gr.jp/

Element Inc. is a company that advocates "Digital Insurance x IT." We are involved in the planning and operation of insurance comparison sites and insurance media, as well as digital insurance business, focusing on pet insurance, legal insurance, and car insurance.

We consistently handle everything from planning and operating insurance comparison sites to customer acquisition, content creation, data analysis, and operational improvements, promoting an environment where users can easily compare and consider insurance products. We are building a digital insurance platform that supports insurance selection through specialized comparison media for each insurance product.

To date, we have surpassed 80,000 pet insurance contracts and 16,000 car and motorcycle insurance contracts. We have formed alliances with 11 non-life insurance companies and 11 short-term insurance companies, growing to approximately 1.6 billion yen in annual handled insurance premiums.

Furthermore, we leverage the digital marketing expertise gained from operating insurance comparison sites to engage in user behavior analysis and content optimization.

We aim to make insurance, which is often difficult to understand, easier to grasp, create new customer experiences in the digital insurance domain, and promote DX in the insurance industry.

Company Overview

Company Name: Element Inc.

Location: 1-15 Furuichi, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 212-0052 (Head Office)

3F, Modo Marche Shibuya Sakuragaoka Building, 10-4 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0031

Established: March 3, 2004

Representative: Tsutomu Kondo, President

Business Activities: Digital Insurance Business / Digital Marketing Business / Income Property Business

URL: https://element-gr.jp/

List of Operated Services

Pet Insurance Comparison Site "Pet Insurance STATION" (https://www.pets-station.info/)

Legal Insurance Comparison and Information Media "Bengoshi Hoken STATION" (https://bengoshi-h.info/)

Car Insurance Comparison and Quote Site "Jidosha Hoken STATION" (https://car-h.info/)

Motorcycle Insurance Comparison Site "Bike Hoken STATION" (https://bike-h.info/)

Fire Insurance, Contents Insurance, Earthquake Insurance Comparison Site "Kasai Hoken STATION" (https://kasai-h.info/)

Maternity Insurance Comparison Site "Ninshin Hoken STATION" (https://ninshin-h.info/)

Diabetes Insurance Comparison Site "Tonyobyo Hoken STATION" (https://tonyobyo-h.info/)

Digital Insurance Comprehensive Platform "Element Insurance" (https://element-insurance.info/)