private motor
07 February 2012
Many British motorists are not fully aware of the level of coverage they have on their comprehensive car insurance policy, according to MoneySupermarket.com.
Their research suggests that many motorists simply concentrate on shopping around for the best deal, rather than considering what cover they need.
It is important to be aware of the level of protection your comprehensive car insurance policy provides as you may need more, or less, cover than you’re currently provided with. It also pays to check each policy carefully, to understand the features that are included by your insurer.
Comprehensive car insurance coverage can vary
Looking at individual features on a comprehensive car insurance policy is an important process to go through every time you renew your cover. The level of coverage provided by comprehensive car insurance policies can vary considerably, which can be quite confusing.
Ensuring you have access to a courtesy car if your car is involved in an accident and needs to be repaired may be an important feature if you rely upon your car to make essential journeys
Our data shows that 92% of policies provide a courtesy car as standard, while 5% offer it as an optional extra, which will mean paying an additional cost.
You can further narrow down the kind of courtesy car offered by your insurer, which is easier to do if you understand the features and benefits of your comprehensive car insurance policy.
Some comprehensive car insurance policies specify what kind of courtesy car you are entitled to. Our data shows that 54% provide a small hatchback, similar to a Ford Ka or a Vauxhall Corsa, while only a few policies offer a medium sized hatchback or larger.
Depending on your situation, a small hatchback car may not be suitable for your needs. If you are a parent and need to have room for car seats and boot space for a pushchair then a small hatchback probably won’t be adequate for your needs.
However, if you just needed to run around town or commute to and from work then a small hatchback is likely to be sufficient until your car is fixed.
If you do choose a policy with a small courtesy car and you require a bigger vehicle, then some policies provide an enhanced courtesy car as an optional extra. Do bear in mind though that this will involve an added cost to your premium.
Ensuring you select a policy with the right level of cover for you is vital, because choosing a policy that doesn’t have sufficient coverage could result in a nasty surprise if you ever need to make a claim.
Choose your policy carefully by picking features that best meet your needs and circumstances. Read our guide to car insurance to find out about more features to review when looking for cover, or alternatively use our Star Ratings tool to find the Star Rating of your product and compare it against other comprehensive car insurance policies on the market.
02 February 2012
Owning multiple cars can be useful in terms of convenience for you and your family, as there are no restrictions on when and where any of you can travel.
However, owning multiple cars can have its disadvantages too, such as having to organise and pay for multiple MOTs, road taxes and of course, car insurance policies.
As a result, some car insurers have taken steps to help soften the pain of organising multiple car insurance policies by introducing multicar policy schemes.
The main advantage of a multicar policy is very simple - one insurer will insure all your cars together and you will receive a discount for doing so without sacrificing the no claims bonus of any driver on the policy.
These policies effectively allow each person insured to earn their own no claims bonus individually. If someone was to make a claim, it only affects the person involved.
Multicar insurance –cover levels provided
Analysis of every multicar insurance policy on the market shows that only 28% of comprehensive car insurance policies have a multicar scheme available.
However, it’s important to ensure that any multicar policy you choose offers the level of cover and features and benefits which you need in addition to the unique benefits identified above.
A majority (88%) of multicar insurance policies will provide a courtesy car as standard, while the other 12% offer one as an optional extra.
Another feature you may consider when taking out a comprehensive car insurance policy is whether your insurer provides transportation from the scene of a road accident for you and your passengers back to your home or your final destination.
This feature is useful for every person on your multicar policy to have, and our data shows that 70% of multicar insurance policies will provide transport from the scene of an accident.
Legal cover and advice is often overlooked on most people’s car insurance policies.
Access to a legal cover helpline may not seem like much of a benefit, but it does mean the insurers’ legal team will advise on the best action to take if you need any legal advice on what to do or where you stand
Our data shows that only 37% provide this legal helpline as standard, while 55% offer this feature as an optional extra.
Legal costs is another feature to consider, as your insurer would pay your legal costs if you were in court charged for an offence against the Road Traffic Act or for damage caused to a third party’s property.
Our data shows that 48% of multicar insurance policies provide legal costs up to the amount you agree with your insurer, while the rest give a set amount of £5,000,000 to cover your legal fees.
These are just a few of the features that motorists expect to see on their car insurance policy and as highlighted, many multicar insurance policies provide the same level of coverage as standard policies, despite the discount and convenience you receive.
If you are still considering your options, why not read our guide to car insurance? Alternatively, use our Star Ratings tool to see the level of cover and benefits provided by your current policy and compare it to others on the market.
02 February 2012
22% of drivers are worried about driving at night and being in an accident, according to research from Santander.
With an average of just 8 hours of sunlight a day and temperatures rarely exceeding 8 degrees centigrade during the first few months of the year, conditions on the roads can often be treacherous.
However, if you are unlucky enough to be injured in a car crash then there are a few features that can be found on a car insurance policy that could provide financial compensation if you are unfortunate enough to be seriously injured.
Injuries suffered in car crashes are covered under car insurance policies
Your insurer will pay out if you are injured in a serious car accident while in any private vehicle, including if you were to lose a limb or go blind. If you were to be killed in a fatal car crash, the money would go to your next of kin.
Our data shows that 81% of car insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while 10% offer cover as an optional extra.
If you were to be disabled from an injury sustained from a car crash then you could be entitled to a sum of money, depending on the level of cover you have. However, it is important to remember the amount can vary from policy to policy.
Our data shows that 43% of car insurance policies will pay out up to £5,000, while 10% will only offer £2,000 compensation.
If you are worried about driving at night during the winter months and potentially being involved in an accident, then your car insurance policy can offer a range of other features to give you peace of mind.
17 January 2012
People in Yorkshire, the East Midlands and London fear car crime more than those in other parts of the UK, despite the percentage of car thefts dropping, according to the Admiral Survey of British Motorists.
The survey shows that almost double the amount of people in Yorkshire are frequently concerned about their vehicle being targeted for car crime, compared against the national average, which stands at 9%.
Admiral’s findings also highlight the vehicles most likely to be stolen. These are the BMW X6 and the hi-performance Audi RS6, while the Nissan Figaro and Citroen C8 are most frequently broken into.
If you do fear that your vehicle could be a target for car crime, ensuring you have the right level of cover on your motor insurance policy will be essential for giving you some peace of mind.
Protecting yourself against the cost of car crime
If you are considering switching car insurance providers, we have highlighted some features that can help if your car is stolen or broken into.
If you are an owner of a new car it is important to ensure your policy will provide you with a replacement vehicle if your car is stolen and not recovered. Our data shows that 95% of motor insurance policies will replace your stolen car with the same make, model and specification, providing it is still available in the UK.
Another area of your policy worth considering is protection for your personal belongings. Our data shows that 93% of motor insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while 4% of policies offer this feature as an optional extra.
Insurers set a maximum limit for the amount of cover they provide for your personal possessions in your car, so choose carefully as these can vary from policy to policy. However, in order to make a valid claim, you must keep your items hidden and locked away in either the glove box or in the car boot.
Our data shows that 42% of policies provide only £100 to cover your personal belongings, while 23% offer more than £250.
Another feature that could be of use if you are a victim of car crime, is the cover for the theft of your car keys, which means your insurer will pay out for new keys and locks for your car if they were stolen. This includes programming a new key fob to operate the central locking system on your car.
Our data shows that 84% of motor insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while 9% offer this feature as an optional extra.
Out of those policies, 30% provide up to £500 to have the locks and keys replaced, while 10% of policies provide between £200 and £250. It is important to choose the level of cover you have for loss of your car keys carefully, as the cost of replacing your door locks and keys varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We have highlighted a couple of features that are readily available on car insurance policies that could allay your fears of you being a victim of car crime.
It may also be worth reading our guide to car insurance, which suggests some other features that may be beneficial for you. Alternatively, why not find the Star rating of your current car insurance policy and compare it against others on the market to see how it stacks up.
06 January 2012
More than 1.6 million motorists in the UK are at risk of their driving licence expiring and that figure is expected to affect 13 million drivers over the next 5 years, according to Sainsbury’s Finance.
Their research suggests that more than 40% of motorists do not know the true consequences of not updating their driving licence, as the police can enforce an £1,000 on the spot fine for an expired driving licence.
This may seem a steep fine, but checking your driving licence is up to date could be the opportune moment to ensure the rest of your driving documents are too, including your motor insurance policy.
The penalty for having no car insurance on your vehicle could bring a disqualification, points on your driving licence or your car being impounded.
Reviewing your car insurance will keep you road legal
Having car insurance is important to keep yourself road legal, but it is also very important to keep your details up to date too, otherwise it may affect any claim that you need to make.
If you do need to make some administrative changes to your motor insurance policy, you may incur a small administration charge to adjust it when you inform your insurer about the change in your situation. Whether it is to simply change address, vehicle details or extending the level of cover you need.
This can be in addition to possible increases in the cost of cover arising from a house move, addition of a new driver to the policy or the replacement of the insured vehicle.
Our data shows that 69% of car insurance policies charge an administration fee ranging between £10 and £50.
Reviewing your car insurance cover
While you’re updating your details, it may be a good moment to also review your car insurance policy to ensure that you continue to have the right level of cover provided.
Medical expenses is a feature that can be of real benefit on your car insurance policy to you and your passengers, as your insurer will contribute towards the cost of your medical treatment if you need it, following an accident.
Our data shows that 91% of car insurance policies that provide cover include medical expenses as standard.
29% of those policies offering protection for medical expenses after a car crash will provide £100 per person travelling in your car to help pay the medical expenses, while 21% of policies provide up to £500 per person to cover hospital costs.
Another feature worth reviewing on your motor insurance policy is personal accident cover. Your insurer will cover you against injury or death that occurs in a serious or fatal car crash while in any private vehicle. The insurer will pay out if you lose a limb or go blind because of a road accident or killed in a fatal car crash.
Our data shows that 88% of car insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while 10% offer cover as an optional extra.
If you are one of the many people who needs to update their driving licence, it will also be a good opportunity to review your car insurance policy to ensure it is up to scratch. Read our guide to car insurance to find out about some other features worth reviewing or adding to your policy.
22 December 2011
If you’re planning on driving home for Christmas, you may want to take note of the warnings recently issued by car insurers, who are urging motorists to be careful as this time of year sees a rise in the number of car accidents.
According to Axa, the 23 and 24 December are considered to be the worst days for driving as they predict up to 50,000 motorists could be involved in accidents over the coming days.
As the Christmas rush intensifies, the roads will be extremely busy, making the likelihood of having a car accident greater.
It may be a good time to review your comprehensive car insurance policy, so you are aware of the level of cover your policy provides.
Common sense and car insurance can resolve a car accident
If you are planning on driving home for Christmas you may wish to review the features we have highlighted to ensure you have peace of mind if you are involved in a car accident during the festive season.
Every comprehensive car insurance policy provides cover for accidental damage. However, it is worth being aware of the excess that you will have to pay in the event of a claim. It is important to know this figure so that when you get a quote on the cost of the repairs, you can weigh up whether it is worth making a claim on your insurance or whether you should just to pay for the repairs yourself.
Our data shows that 40% of comprehensive car insurance policies require you to pay a £100 excess for accidental damage, while 17% of policies request an excess payment of between £150 and £200.
If you bought a brand new car this year and you are driving home for Christmas, you may need to check the level of cover your insurance policy provides for your new vehicle.
Our data shows that 83% of comprehensive car insurance policies will pay up to a maximum of 60% of the car’s original value to repair any damage, if the car is not written off.
However, if your new car needs replacing then our data shows that 95% of comprehensive car insurance policies will replace your new car with one of the same model and specification. This is providing the car is still available in the UK and that you are still within the new car replacement period of your policy.
A majority (95%) of comprehensive car insurance policies have a new car replacement period of 12 months, where the features above will apply.
Another feature to consider that will ensure you can still continue driving home for Christmas despite being involved in a car accident is a courtesy car.
Our data shows that 92% of comprehensive car insurance policies provide a courtesy car as standard, while 5% of policies give you the option to include one.
96% of comprehensive car insurance policies will also provide a courtesy car for the duration of the repair after a car accident.
Only 41% of policies guarantee a courtesy car when you send it away for repair, while 50% of products only guarantee a courtesy car if there is one available for you to use.
These are just a few of features worth reviewing before driving home for Christmas, as it is important to know what level of cover you have, to give you peace of mind in the event of a road accident. Why not use our Star Ratings tool to see what level of coverage your comprehensive car insurance product provides?
09 December 2011
More than 8,000 pubs and bars across the UK are set to reward designated drivers this Christmas by offering free soft drinks, as a part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign.
In order to allow people to continue with their Christmas celebrations, the Department of Transport have teamed up with Coca Cola to provide a designated driver scheme and smart phone application, which will allow designated drivers to find which pubs and bars are participating nearby.
If you are a designated driver this Christmas then driving safely will be at the forefront of your mind particularly as we are seeing the snow and gales beginning arrive.
One area you may need to review is your car insurance policy to ensure you have an enough cover for you and your passengers should something go wrong during your Christmas celebrations.
Car insurance can ensure your Christmas celebrations still go ahead
One feature worth reviewing on your comprehensive car insurance policy is the amount of medical expenses cover your insurer has provided you with.
91% of standard comprehensive car insurance policies provide medical expenses cover as standard.
Our data shows that 32% of comprehensive car insurance policies provide £100 worth of cover for each person in the car to cover the medical costs, while 23% of policies will provide up to £200.
If you are looking for a higher level of cover for medical expenses, 23% of policies will provide up to £500 per person to cover the medical expenses.
Another feature to consider as a designated driver during your Christmas celebrations is whether your insurer will organise recovery of your car if it is not driveable after being involved in an accident.
Our data shows that 49% of insurers will arrange for your car to be taken from the scene of an accident, while 46% will only offer the cost to cover any arrangements you make.
Our data also shows that 62% of comprehensive car insurance policies will cover the costs of taking your car from the scene of the accident to the nearest recommended repairer.
If you are involved in a car crash during your Christmas celebrations, you will want to check whether your insurance policy provides a courtesy car while your car is being repaired.
Our data highlights that 92% of policies provide a courtesy car as standard, while 5% of policies offer this feature as an optional extra.
We have highlighted a few features worth reviewing on your car insurance policy as the designated driver to ensure you and your passengers are protected this Christmas. Why not compare your current car insurance policy with those offered by other insurers to see at a glance how your policy compares against others on the market?
09 December 2011
Almost a quarter (24%) of people believe that the average older driver should give up driving before they are 70.
According to a study carried out by RIAS, 63% of people believe that there should be some measures in place to force elderly drivers to retake their driving test at some point in later life. Many people fear that older drivers may not be confident or safe enough to drive on the roads and cause unnecessary accidents.
However, there are some concerns that such measures will infringe on older drivers’ freedom as they will have little choice but to rely on public transport. The research shows that a majority of older people find public transport an unreasonable option due to the unreliability of services or inaccessibility.
If you are an elderly driver who relies on your car then we have highlighted some features available on a comprehensive car insurance policy that can give you an added level of cover.
Features that elderly drivers find important on car insurance
Our research into the features available on car insurance policies that motorists deem as important, shows that older drivers value protection from uninsured loss, road rage and carjacking more than younger drivers. However, not all car insurance policies provide this cover.
Our data shows that only 7% of policies provide road rage coverage as standard, with 25% of these offering £500 to the victim of the road rage attack, while 31% provide up to £5,000 to cover the costs of being on the receiving end of road rage.
There are fewer policies providing cover for carjacking, with only 6% providing any level of cover, with 33% of those policies providing £500, while 33% of policies offer up to £7,500.
Another key area for many older drivers is having the right level of legal cover available. Our data shows that a third of comprehensive car insurance policies provide a legal advice line as a standard feature, while 33% offer it as an optional extra.
A feature that older people deem more important to have on their car insurance policy than other age groups is legal aid when recovering uninsured loss from another driver.
This is where your insurer will pay legal costs (up to a limit) to help you recover any losses from the other driver involved.
Our data shows that only 21% of car insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while another 57% of policies offer this feature as an optional extra.
The limit that your insurer will offer to help you recover any uninsured losses is £100,000 for 63% of policies, while a third of car insurance policies provide up to £50,000.
However, you could encounter a cost from your insurer to add this feature to your policy, which varies from £19.99 up to £35.
As an older driver, the features highlighted above could provide you with extra cover and peace of mind. If you are looking to include these features on your policy, why not use our Star Ratings tool to find suitable products or to compare your current car insurance policy against others on the market?
24 November 2011
Bereaved young people are calling on all young drivers to take more care on the road, in an attempt to lower the number of fatal car crashes.
The call for action by loved ones of young drivers seriously injured or killed in car crashes is being supported by Road Safety Week.
In the run up to Road Safety Week, QBE Insurance conducted research into the number of young drivers involved in a car crash. Their findings show that on average a young person is killed on the roads every 18 hours. 24% of deaths or serious injuries on the roads involve young drivers and passengers aged between 17 and 24.
Road Safety Week focuses on reducing the number of young drivers involved in car crashes, but what level of cover can comprehensive car insurance offer, if you are involved in a road accident?
Medical expenses can be covered on young drivers car insurance
Our data shows that 91% of car insurance policies that provide cover for young drivers include medical expenses as standard, which means that your insurer will contribute towards to the cost of your medical treatment if you need it.
33% of those policies offering protection for medical expenses after a car crash will provide £100 per person travelling in your car to help pay medical expenses incurred, while 22% of policies provide up to £500 per person to cover hospital costs.
Another feature that could prove useful if you are involved in a car crash is personal accident cover. Your insurer will cover you against injury or death that occurs in a serious or fatal car crash while in any private vehicle. The insurer will pay out if you lose a limb or go blind because of a road accident or if you are killed in a fatal car crash the money will go to your next of kin.
Our data shows that 88% of car insurance policies provide this feature as standard, while 10% offer cover as an optional extra.
Young drivers excess
As a young driver between the ages of 17 and 24, making sure you have the right level of cover for your car is important and the two features above could help if you are involved in a car crash or a fatal accident.
However, another area you would need to aware of as a young driver is the excess you will have to the insurer when you make a claim.
Our research shows that young drivers value a low excess highly, with those surveyed thinking it is twice as important not to pay an excess for being a young driver as it is to ensure their car is taken to the nearest garage after an accident.
Our data shows that 45% of young drivers between 21 and 24 will have to pay an excess of £200 for each claim they make, while 63% of those under 21 have to pay an excess of between £300 and £400 for each claim.
If you are a young driver considering getting on the road or looking to renew your car insurance, bear in mind the features mentioned as they can help cover the medical costs if you are involved in a car crash.
It is also worth considering the excess on your car insurance policy before making a claim, as it can be quite high. I may mean that, in some cases, it will not be worth making a claim as the cost of the excess will outweigh the cost to rectify the damage.
Why not use our Star Ratings tool to find car insurance policies and compare them against others on the market to help you find the policy that has the right level of cover to meet your needs?
15 November 2011
There was a 5% decrease in the number of people taking their driving test between April and August this year, according to Confused.com.
Their research also indicates that 20% of people can’t afford to pay for a driving test, while 13% say they can’t afford the price of car insurance.
As the cost of car insurance remains high, the number of people who feel that they can’t afford car insurance is set to rise too, potentially leading to more uninsured drivers on our roads.
Can I protect myself after being hit by an uninsured driver?
Our data shows that only 19% of comprehensive motor insurance policies provide an uninsured driver benefit.
This means your insurer will protect your no claims bonus and no excess will be applied if you are hit by an uninsured driver.
Unfortunately, as our data demonstrates, protection from being hit by an uninsured driver is only provided by a small number of insurers. Even if you do choose a policy that includes an uninsured driver benefit, there are a couple of exclusions to be aware of.
Our data shows that a majority of those motor insurance policies which do provide cover against being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver require you to give the registration, make, and model of the car, plus details of the uninsured driver’s name and address before making a claim. This can be difficult in practice, so it’s worth checking the small print.
Car insurance options
If you believe that car insurance is too expensive, it is worth considering the different types of cover available, since a basic level of cover may be suitable for your needs, and come at a more affordable price.
However, regardless of what you think you can afford, you should always ensure that you have the right level of cover available – the most basic policies may not provide you with enough cover.
There are three types of car insurance policies on the market:
- third party
- third party, fire and theft
- fully comprehensive
Third party car insurance is the minimum level of cover to drive on UK roads. This type of car insurance will insure you for any damage caused to a third party, their vehicle and property, but not for any damage sustained to you or your car. These policies will be cheaper than the equivalent comprehensive car insurance products.
Third party, fire and theft policies have the same basic level of cover as third party motor insurance, but with more benefits. Again, they will be cheaper than equivalent comprehensive cover. This type of car insurance protects against any loss or damage caused to your vehicle by theft or fire. You would be able to claim if someone broke into your car and damaged the bodywork or if the car was to catch fire.
Fully comprehensive car insurance policies provide the same level of cover as third party, fire and theft but with protection against accidental damage. This type of car insurance can provide you with extra benefits such as a courtesy car or roadside assistance, which will affect the price of the policy.
If you are looking for car insurance then there are policies available that offer just the basic level of coverage. However, it is important to think about what level of cover you need, as a basic car insurance policy may be not be sufficient for your needs.
If you are a driver worried about uninsured drivers then all comprehensive car insurance policies provide cover for a claim, but only a handful will protect your no claims bonus in the event you are crashed into by an uninsured driver.
Why not take a look at our guide to car insurance to help you decide what level of cover you think you will need?
