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Motor Insurance Facts
  • You are legally required to be covered by motor insurance under the Road Traffic Act.
  • Motor insurance at its most basic level will protect you for liability for injuries to other people and damage to other people's property.
  • If you use your vehicle to commute to work then you will need specialised cover to protect you for this. Furthermore, if you use your vehicle in order to visit clients in connection with your business then you will need a commercial car insurance policy.
  • Motorists convicted for drink driving offences will experience premium increases of at least 100%.
  • If you do not look after your vehicle appropriately, keeping it in a roadworthy condition, then your insurer is within their rights to withhold a payment for a claim.
  • If you carry passengers who give you money to help you with your motoring costs then your car insurance will not be affected. If, however, you make a profit from carrying passengers or if transporting people is your business then you will need an insurance policy to cover you for commercial purposes.
  • For an added fee, most car insurance companies will allow you to protect your valuable no claims bonus. This way you can have a limited number of claims and still leave your NCB intact.
  • If you lie on your car insurance application form, withhold information or fail to keep your insurance company up to date with any changes to your situation or details then you risk invalidating your policy and any claims you might make will not be met.
  • All UK car insurance policies will cover drivers abroad in EU countries for the minimum level required. You might, however, require an extended level of cover, so be sure to contact your insurers well before your trip to discuss your needs.
  • You must contact your insurer if you are ever involved in accident, even if do not intend to make a claim. Your policy agreement obliges you to do so.

Please note that information contained on The Insurance Page web site does not constitute regulated financial advice, which recommends a course of action based upon the specifics of your personal circumstances. The web site is intended to provide general personal financial information. We urge you to consult an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) before making any important decisions about your finances.

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Motor Insurance
Motor Insurance Tips

When you choose car insurance, you need to be sure your policy offers the right cover and is tailored to your specific needs. Below are a few suggestions which you could ask when selecting your insurer:

  • What is the policy excess and what is the maximum the company will pay out? Are there any mandatory excesses for accidental or malicious damage?
  • What level of no claim discount can I receive?
  • How will additional security on my car affect the premium?
  • How many claims does my protected bonus allow me?
  • Do I get a courtesy car for any claims, and if so for how long and under what circumstances? Do I have to pay extra to insure it?
  • Do windscreen claims affect my no claims discount?
  • Can I drive abroad with my standard policy?
  • Can I use my preferred garage for repairs in the case of a claim?
  • Will I have to fill in lots of claim forms when claiming?
  • Will I get a discount if I have been driving with no claims for several years but have not had a policy in my own name?
  • Is motor legal protection included?
  • Does the policy offer roadside breakdown assistance?
  • Does cover include personal injury, personal belongings or replacement locks?
  • Will your no-claims bonus be affected if the accident wasn't your fault or the cost can't be recovered?
  • Can you transfer your no-claims bonus built up while driving on somebody else's insurance?
  • Can you transfer your no-claims bonus on to a second car?
  • When you make a claim, do you speak to the broker who sold you the policy or the insurer?