If you are looking for
car insurance in the United Kingdom, you know that it can be very
frustrating, because there are so many factors that must be taken into
consideration but by going to a good online price comparison car insurance
website, you can save yourself time and money by finding out quickly and
easily how changing these factors can affect premiums.
As in most places in the world, car insurance in the United Kingdom is required by
law in order to cover any costs of damages or injuries related to
mishaps drivers might encounter. As an example, if you are driving and
you cause an accident, your car insurance should cover not only damages to
someone's vehicle or other property but also possibly medical expenses
and compensation to third parties who are injured in the accident. In order to make sure that motorists in the UK are
insured, The Motor Insurers' Bureau uses its Motor Insurance Database to
help identify drivers who are uninsured by routinely performing spot
checks on drivers. In cases where an untraced or uninsured driver causes
injuries to a third party or causes damages to a third party's property,
the third party should be compensated by the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
This applies technically even though a policyholder may have breached
terms of a policy they have. Should a car be stolen and the
responsible party causes damages or injuries someone, the insurance
company covering the car should cover the expenses involved.
Components Of A Car Insurance Policy
When you purchase online car insurance using a price comparison website
as your guide, you will receive either a cover note, which is temporary
or a full certificate of insurance; sometimes these can be downloaded
immediately so you have proof of cover whilst you wait for the policy
documents to arrive by post when will also receive a policy and
payment schedule, as well as a booklet that explains the details of your
policy. When your insurance packet arrives, make sure you read it
thoroughly to make sure all details are correct. If they are not, you
must contact your insurance company right away. Also, make sure when
purchasing your car insurance that all information regarding your
driving history, prior claims, and other personal information is correct
or you may be denied cover should a need to file a claim arise. This
point cannot be expressed too forcefully; failing to give full
information to an insurer is a material breach of contract and insurers
can, and very often do, use this fact to avoid paying out on claims.
Types of Car Insurance
As you begin your online price comparison car insurance journey, you
should note that there are three basic car insurance policies to choose
from. They are third party or TPO, third party plus fire and theft (TPFT)
or comprehensive, which is the best cover you can purchase.
TP includes cover for liability for injury to a third party, and damages to a
third party's property. It will
not cover you for any accidental damage to your car.
TPFT covers all that TP offers plus fire damages, theft of your car or
any damages to your car should it be stolen.
As noted, comprehensive car insurance is the best, because it covers all
of the above and much more. For example, comprehensive will usually also
cover accidental damage or loss of your car, personal effects,
windscreen cover and any medical expenses incurred.
When you shop for comprehensive car insurance on a price comparison
website, check the options offered as part of the policy closely. You
may find a cheaper policy, but it could possibly be stripped of some of
the amenities that usually come as part of a comprehensive package. For
instance, a stripped down policy may eliminate cover for windscreens or
personal effects. It's very important to check the details!
On the other hand, many policies do impose exclusions, and these should
be highlighted in your documentation. As an example, many insurance
companies will not cover you if you are under 25 years of age and drive
a car other than your own. However, in an emergency, some insurers will
allow drivers to borrow another car should your car need to be towed
and/or repaired. These are the details that must be checked before you
finally decide which policy to buy.
Car Insurance Excess
In car insurance, excess means the amount you are liable for on any
claim filed and this only applies to comprehensive or TPFT policies. Say, for example, you hit a tree and damage your car. The
cost to repair your car is £800 and your excess is £300. The insurance
company pays £500, and you will pay the balance of £300. There is
compulsory excess that is set by the insurance company and is determined
by the details of your policy. If you are a young driver or drive a
luxury vehicle, you may find that your excess is higher. There is also
voluntary excess, which allows you to choose to set a higher excess and
will help reduce the overall price of your car insurance policy. It is
paid in addition to any compulsory excess set by your insurance company.
If you have driven for several years and have never filed a claim, you
may receive a discount from your insurance company for a claim free
record. Basically, this means that if you do file a claim, you could
lose several years' bonus.
The maximum no claims discount levels set by insurance companies is most
often between four or five years, and once you reach the maximum, the
insurance company will usually allow you to protect your bonus. This
means that should you have to make a claim, you will not forfeit the bonus and still be eligible for the maximum discount allowed on
your policy. Again, price comparison websites are a great way to check
several insurance company's policies on discounts for claim free driving
history.
Always Report Any Changes To Your Car Insurance Policy!
Anytime you want to make a change or have made a change that could
affect your car insurance policy, let your company know so that the
changes can be permanently made on your policy documentation. Any
changes may affect your current premiums. For example if you move from a
suburb to a city, your risk of a mishap increases, and your premiums may
rise a bit; however failure to inform your insurer could mean that your
policy was voided so it is vital to let the insurer know. If you decide to add on
some expensive new alloy wheels or a new sound system to your policy, and the add on is
not covered under your current policy, you may face an increase in
premiums as well. Many price comparison car insurance websites will
direct you to the proper location to make changes directly online to the
insurance company you have chosen.
Should you decide to cancel your policy before it due to be renewed, you
may also be charged a cancellation fee.
If you are involved in an accident or if your car is stolen, call your
insurer immediately, even if you decide not to make a claim.
Since all car insurance companies offer different packages, it is
extremely important to go over their policy documentation very carefully
to see what is standard and what optional add ons are available. Extras
can include legal protection if you need it, assistance for uninsured
losses, solicitors assistance to follow a claim should you be injured,
and recovery of medical losses, earnings and excess on policy. Breakdown
cover is generally offered at different levels and is sometimes a
standard inclusion and sometimes an optional extra and may include relay and recovery should your
car have to be
taken to a distant repair shop, home start for home or near home breakdowns
and breakdown protection for European driving.
Basic comprehensive cover usually includes a courtesy car while your car
is being repaired, but you usually have to take the car to an approved
repairer. Basic cover should also provide a minimum payment to your or
passengers for death, loss of eye sight and loss of or loss of use of a
limb. Windscreen repairs and replacements are also usually included in
comprehensive cover.
Shop Wisely On Price Comparison Car Insurance Websites
Now that you know a bit about car insurance, before you spend
unnecessary hours searching insurance specialized websites, or waste
time talking on the phone to insurance companies, it's time to go to a
reputable price comparison car insurance website and gather quotes and
information about what is included in various policies. You could find
the cover you are looking for at the best price possible from some of
the United Kingdom's leading insurers.
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