Apart from the basic legal requirement for a motorist to be insured when driving a car, insurance companies offer a range of additional options that can be taken out with the basic insurance. Although these add to the overall cost of the insurance, they can prove useful and save money in the long term in the event that a claim has to be made.

No Claims Bonus

If a driver does not claim on an insurance policy for a year they may be entitled to a discount, known as a “no claims discount” on their premium for the following year. This can lower the cost of insurance premiums. Each additional year without a claim may add to the discount received for up to four years. After this time, the bonus can be protected through making an additional payment when renewing the insurance. The protection will usually allow up to two claims in a period of three years before the entitlement is lost.

Cover for Legal Expenses

Legal expenses after an accident can add up very quickly and insurers can offer cover for those expenses. There is an additional charge for this but cover of this kind can provide peace of mind in the event that an unfortunate legal situation arises. Motorists who decide to take out this additional legal cover should read the small print of the policy to be certain that the cover they desire is appropriate for their needs.

Breakdown Cover

Many motorists may already have breakdown cover, either by buying it directly from a specialist provider or through a package that may be offered, for example, as an incentive from a bank for taking out a particular financial product. Many insurance companies will offer breakdown cover and if a motorist does not have this, it is worth looking into. It may be worth adding the cover to a policy at a later date, especially if it proves to be less expensive than that from a specialist provider.

No-claim Discount

A no-claim discount, which is also called a no-claim bonus, reduces the premium that a motorist pays.  It is applied to an insurance policy, usually over four or five years, where a claim on the policy has not been made, and thus is an incentive for motorists to drive safely.  The discount, which can help to reduce insurance costs by up to 75 per cent, can usually be transferred to another insurer without any penalty.

If a motorist does make a claim and the insurer cannot recover costs from someone else, then part or all of the discount may be lost.  However, many insurance companies will permit a motorist to pay an additional fee for the no-claim discount to be protected, or they may slightly reduce the scale of the discount.  It is up to the motorist to decide how valuable that additional protection is likely to be.  By paying an additional fee it is possible to keep a no-claim discount but insurance companies have different practices in regard to this and it is important to check the exact terms of the policy.

Policy Excess

A motorist may choose to pay an additional amount if a claim is made, and this will be agreed with the insurer at the outset of the policy.  The amount varies and can be negotiated, but the higher the excess amount agreed the lower the overall premium will be.  Inexperienced drivers will usually have to pay a compulsory excess.

Gone are the days when purchasing car insurance meant filling out lengthy forms by hand and waiting days for the post service to deliver them – buying online is both quicker and more practical and, unsurprisingly, it is becoming rapidly more popular with all sorts of drivers. 

The convenience of this method is by no means its only advantage, as it is often possible to get a better deal on the internet than you would be able to otherwise.  Many insurance companies offer web-based promotions and special deals on online quotes from time to time, and it is well worth checking if any of these apply to you as you could save a considerable amount of money.

There are also a number of insurance providers that are entirely web-based, and making an application offline would be likely to cut these out of your options.  It is always a good idea to shop around different providers to get the best price before making a decision, and buying online is likely to give you the most choice.

Finally, if you choose to purchase on the internet then you will have a wide range of useful tools at your disposal to help you make your decision.  Price comparison websites and online reviews can provide very helpful information, so you are much more likely to end up with the best quote for your needs.

Obtaining and comparing car insurance quotes will enable you to find the best car insurance deals available. With so many comparison websites available, you can easily find affordable car insurance that suits your requirements. Instead of contacting companies directly, you can now save time and quickly obtain a quote based on the information that you provide via comparison websites.

If you have any special requirements, then using a comparison website will enable you to see how much your car insurance will cost based on your current circumstances. You can easily find the best deals available and avoid spending too much on your car insurance. Some comparison websites will even offer detailed guides to help you make the right decision when it comes to selecting a car insurance policy.

Once you have obtained a quote, you can then begin comparing it with other quotes. Comparison websites allow you to save quotes and retrieve them at a later date, making it easy to compare different policies. Not only does this save time, it also helps you to seek out a car insurance policy that will provide you with cover to suit your requirements at an affordable price.

When comparing quotes, it is vital that you read through policies carefully to see what you will and will not be covered for. Each policy may differ, so you will need to find car insurance that matches your specific requirements. Comparison websites usually provide a form for you to enter any special requirements. This information is submitted instantly and will enable you to see how much your car insurance policy will cost based on your requirements.

Regular car insurance is bound by a 12-month contract. This means that you must pay direct debit charges if you do not pay the entire insurance premium off in time. In some instances, it can make more sense to take out one of the many different types of short-term insurance policies instead of an annual policy.

Temporary insurance cover for motor vehicles can be applied on most standard annual motor policies for circumstances such as test driving vehicles (when they require comprehensive insurance), or for short-term operation of a different vehicle. While the vast majority of insurance policies offer an extension for driving other vehicles, it is not necessary to provide more cover than “third party only” coverage does. Borrowing a friend’s sports car for fun will probably not be protected by third party insurance cover.

Temporary cover normally does not take a long time to sort out, and you can be on the road quickly, often within minutes. Documents can also be e-mailed to you directly, providing you with backup if an ANPR scanner identifies you as currently uninsured.

Other vehicles such as vans can be insured on temporary policies. In cases such as these, it is often more cost-effective to borrow a vehicle from a friend and obtain a temporary insurance policy than to rent a van for moving house, for instance. Short-term insurance can be beneficial for a number of reasons and is easier to obtain than most people think. Monthly policies are also available online. They provide a solution for those looking to keep a vehicle for a month or two before selling it.

When buying car insurance, it is always a good idea to shop around for the best deal on the market.  This doesn’t just mean finding the lowest price but also the most comprehensive protection for you and your vehicle.  Most insurers have their own website and you will also find specialty comparison websites which will help you to root out the most suitable policy.

Choose the Right Cover

If your car is not worth a lot of money, then it may be advisable to get a policy with less coverage.  After all, the cost of any damages resulting from an accident may be more than the car is worth.  Alternatively, if you drive an expensive car you should consider a comprehensive policy that will protect you in all events.

Use Different Websites

To make sure you are getting the best deal, check several insurers.  Price comparison websites are a useful way to check multiple quotes at once to find out who is offering the best option.  However, these sites will not show quotes from all possible providers so it is advisable to spend a little more time looking into insurers who are not listed on comparison sites.

Read the Small Print

Two policies that look the same may have hidden differences.  Always read the small print and look out for additional costs, such as a higher compulsory excess or no windscreen cover.  You may also want to make sure your provider offers services such as a 24-hour claim line or the option to pay your premium in monthly instalments.

When you buy car insurance you will be sent the details of the policy through the post.  These documents must be kept in a safe place as you will need them if you wish to make a claim or renew your policy.  You will be sent three main documents, the certificate, the policy and the schedule.

The Certificate

The certificate documents information about the vehicle which you have insured.  Additionally, it will say the driver or drivers who are named to drive the vehicle, what the vehicle is used for, and the dates between which the vehicle is insured.  This document is the proof that your vehicle is insured.  Additionally, this document is required should an accident occur.  Additionally it’s required when you are buying your vehicle.

The Policy

The policy sets out the full terms and conditions of the insurance. 

The Schedule

The schedule gives specific details about your policy.  For example, it will say what the excess is that you must pay when you make a claim.  It was also say what no-claims bonus you’re entitled to, and which parts of the policy apply in your case.  For example, if you have fully comprehensive then it will all apply.  However, if you have only bought third party car insurance then only certain parts of it will apply.

Car insurance documents are very important, and must be kept safely.  Additionally, if any information on any of the documents is incorrect then you must have it amended as soon as possible.

The basic insurance policy for your car does not usually cover the contents.  This means that if you leave expensive items in your car, such as a laptop or satellite navigation system, and someone steals them, they will not be covered.  However, some insurance companies offer contents insurance at an additional price.  This article offers more information regarding insuring the contents of your car.

When is Additional Cover Needed?

Most car insurance policies will enable you to make a claim if the stolen content was fitted by the manufacturer, for example audio equipment.  You must however have a policy which covers you against theft.  If you have added to the audio equipment, for example if you’ve added new speakers, then the insurer might cover part of the cost, up to a certain amount.  If you leave items in the car, unless you have additional cover, insurers won’t pay out.  Additionally, insurers will only pay out for content theft if your car was locked and someone actually broke into it.  If you accidently left it unlocked then the claim will not be met.

Free Additional Cover?

Sometimes it’s possible to get free contents insurance when you purchase your standard car insurance.  The trick is to shop around.  Many car insurance companies offer free contents insurance as a method of attracting new customers.  Additionally, you should check your house insurance policy, because sometimes it will cover for items that you have taken outside the house which have been stolen, for example a mobile phone or laptop computer.

Remember never to leave valuable items in your car thereby avoiding damage to the vehicle when a thief forces an entry.

Car insurance providers often see women drivers as a safe bet and there are a number of reasons for this.  The level of any insurance premium is based on an assessment of risk and historically, reports used by insurance companies to calculate the potential risk have shown that women are involved in fewer car accidents than men.  Many theories have been put forward to explain why this is the case, but essentially it seems that women are more cautious than men when it comes to driving and are prepared to take fewer risks.  This clearly makes women more attractive as potential policyholders to insurance companies.

Not only are women involved in fewer accidents, but statistics also show that when they do have accidents they are usually less serious than those involving male drivers.  Experts attribute this to the fact that women are less likely to be speeding when they have an accident.  As a result, the likelihood of serious injury or extensive vehicle damage is reduced.  All of this means that pay outs by insurance companies for accidents involving women drivers are lower than those involving men, which has a direct effect on the premium women drivers pay for car insurance.

When looking for an insurance quote for a female driver it is sensible to research the market thoroughly.  You should look for companies that offer tailor made policies for women drivers to ensure that the most suitable policy is obtained.

Many people who do not own a car may still wish to drive someone else’s, from time to time.  It may be a parent’s car that is used once a week for shopping or a partner’s car that is used more frequently.  In these circumstances the person who does not own the car should ensure that they are named on the owner’s insurance policy.  This can be done quite easily and cheaply, however, failure to ensure that the so-called ‘named driver’ option is activated on a particular policy could result in an insurance provider refusing to meet a claim if an accident occurs.

Named drivers may also be car owners with their own separate insurance on a different vehicle.  However, someone with their own insurance policy should not assume that they are automatically covered to drive cars owned by other people.  Even if you have comprehensive insurance cover, all drivers should ensure that they can legitimately get behind the wheel of another vehicle.  With most policies there will be an option known as ‘drive other cars’.  Before driving another vehicle this option must be in place and the terms of the policy checked to check the level of cover that is applied.

Not all insurance companies provide this useful addition to the standard policy.  In addition, not all drivers will be eligible to take advantage of a ‘drive other cars’ clause, because many companies only offer the option to drivers who fulfil certain criteria, for example that they are over 25 years of age.