As it is such an infrequent purchase, many people have a lot of questions about car insurance.
We have answered what we think are the five most important car insurance FAQs together to help you get the most out of your car insurance.
1. Does my policy allow me to drive someone else’s car?
Not always. When you take out a policy you are not automatically covered to drive another car. This is especially true for drivers who are under 25 years old as they are seen to be a higher risk.
If you wish to drive another person’s car then this is something that you have to discuss with your insurance provider. They will be able to offer you a quote to be covered for 3rd party driving. However before driving off, just make sure you know what you are covered for as it is sometimes not the cover you would receive for driving your own car.
2. Will I get a refund if I cancel my car insurance?
You will be entitled to a refund most of the time if you are cancelling a policy before the expiry date of the policy. This will all depend on your insurance provider and their cancellation rules.
The details of their refund policy can be found within their terms and conditions. There may also be a cancellation fee to pay for terminating the contract early.
3. Can I make a claim if I have been hit by an uninsured driver?
The numbers of uninsured drivers has increased over the last few years. So what happens if you’re hit by one?
There is an organisation dedicated to giving compensation to drivers who are hit by uninsured drivers called the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). You are even able to get compensation for loss of no-claims and any excess charges from your insurer.
All you have to do is get in touch with them after you have been in the accident and they will help guide you through the process.
4.Can I change the car details of my policy?
The simple answer is yes you can. However there may be a charge to do so.
Your car insurance quote is based on the value of your vehicle, engine size and age etc. so the cost will have to change to accommodate your new vehicle.
5. Is it worth protecting my no claims discount on my car insurance?
Paying to protect your no claims bonus is a bit of a grey area.
If you have been driving for 20 years and had no claims then it is advised that you do pay to protect your no claims bonus. However if you have been driving for only a few years sometimes it isn’t worth it. Additionally it is all dependent on your insurers. Some only allow you to make two claims in three years.
In conclusion, it depends on how long you haven’t made a claim for and the insurer that you chose. One key point to remember is that this is to protect your no claims bonus not the cost. The cost of your insurance can still rise after you have an accident even if the bonus is kept the same.
If you have any other questions about car insurance, or about any of our other policies then please get in touch here.