Brignall Archer

There is no need to ring around many car insurance companies trying to find the best quote.  For those who enjoy speaking directly to a real person this of course is still an option.  However, for those who know exactly what they want from their policy, they can now arrange their car insurance online.  There are several price comparison sites for those who are looking for the best deal available to suit their needs.  These are often a good starting point for the potential policy holder to get an idea of just how much it is going to cost to insure their vehicle for the year.

Once a good deal has been found the insurance company will then require information regarding no claims bonuses, medical history and where the vehicle will be kept overnight.  These and several other factors will affect the policy premiums.  Paperwork will be sent to the policyholder to be checked, signed, and returned back to the insurance company, who will send a certificate to show the vehicle is covered by an insurance policy.

There are three types of cover for car insurance and the choice of which to take out will depend on various factors. For the majority of young drivers, the cost of their insurance cover will be a major consideration. Motorists looking for all round protection will probably choose comprehensive insurance, but third party and third part fire and theft are available.

Third Party

Third party insurance is the minimum legal requirement for a motorist to have. It provides a driver with a level of insurance that covers anyone who is injured in an accident caused by the driver, whether they are the driver or the passengers of another car, individuals not in a vehicle who may be hurt, or passengers in the driver’s vehicle. The insurance will provide compensation to all these individuals but it will not cover the costs that a driver will incur due to the accident. When considering taking out this level of insurance, a motorist must weigh up the pros and cons before deciding if it is the right form of protection for their needs.

Third Party Fire and Theft

This insurance provides the same coverage as third party cover but offers the additional benefit of cover in the event that a vehicle is stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire. The technological developments in car security over the years has made it more difficult for newer cars to be stolen, although it is advisable for all motorists to ensure that their vehicle is locked when unattended and the steering lock engaged. Older cars are easier to break into and steal and so this cover is useful for owners of older vehicles. Insurers may also ask about the location in which a car is to be kept as this can influence the cost of insurance premiums.

Comprehensive

A comprehensive policy covers for any eventuality, even if an accident or incident is the fault of the vehicle driver. As well as the benefits of third party and third party fire and theft cover, the policy covers the costs incurred through accident damage.

Anyone who owns a car in the United Kingdom is legally required to have it insured. Usually, a car’s owner will be the main driver of the vehicle, but even if another person is the main driver, the owner must still ensure that the car is insured. The insurance will protect the owner and, depending on the type of insurance cover taken out, will protect other drivers as well.

It is a criminal offence to not have a vehicle insured and to drive while uninsured. Car insurance is necessary to protect the driver and passengers, other motorists, the vehicle and anyone else who might be involved if an accident occurs. It gives the driver protection against liability for an accident and provides compensation to anyone who receives an injury or has their property damaged following an accident. It may be tempting for some motorists to consider that they are good drivers and so do not require insurance, but this fails to take into account the fact that they may have an unexpected mishap due to their own driving or  may become involved in accident caused by another motorist. In any case, being uninsured when driving a vehicle is against the law and ought not to be considered under any circumstance.

As a criminal offence, a motorist can be fined for breaching the law on insurance and at the most serious end of the scale, when a driver is convicted and still refuses to insure the car, the car may be impounded or destroyed. Fixed penalty fines of £100 can be imposed and in the event that a prosecution goes to court and the motorist loses the case, fines of up to £1,000 can be imposed.

Car insurers will ask a range of questions when an application for cover is made.  An insurer needs to understand how likely it is that a driver will make a claim, and then the cover is priced accordingly.  Some drivers are considered to be at higher risk of accidents than others, and this usually depends on age, type of vehicle driven, distance travelled per year and a number of other factors that may vary.

Common Insurance Questions

Before starting to give details, a motorist must understand that all questions should be answered honestly and answers should give the full details.  If any information is found to be incorrect then the cover given may be invalid when a claim is made.

Insurers will want to know the details of your vehicle.  Cars are put into insurance brackets and thus a brand new sports car, for example, will attract a higher premium than a small runabout.  If the vehicle is used only for leisure purposes and commuting, costs are likely to be lower than if the car is used for business purposes as well.  Sometimes a motorist’s profession or job can increase a premium.  Keeping a car in a locked garage rather than on a driveway or parked on the road will reduce costs, and insurers will also ask about this.

A driver’s age will be taken into account, as will any convictions or licence penalty points for driving offences.  Having a no-claims bonus will help to reduce the cost, but insurers will also want to know how long a motorist has been driving for and if there have been any recent insurance claims.

With dozens of companies offering car insurance in the United Kingdom, there are many opportunities to take advice about finding the right insurance policy.  Insurance brokers deal with a range of companies and can offer advice about which products offer the most suitable policies for a motorist’s particular needs and circumstances.  A broker will talk to a customer face to face or on the phone and be able to shop around with the motorist’s specific requirements and budget in mind.

Alternatively, many insurance companies can be contacted directly, either face to face or over the phone, and will discuss the particular requirements for a policy.  Most of these companies also have an internet presence, and research can be done online before final choices are made.  There are also a number of price comparison sites that offer the opportunity to get an initial costing, though not all insurance companies are represented on these.

Another option for getting a car insurance quote is by asking a suitable source when engaged in an unrelated activity.  Many banks and supermarkets offer insurance products and it may suit some people to take advantage of those possibilities.

The car insurance business is very competitive, and providers are keen to offer potential customers good products at low prices.  However, it is important for motorists to remember that they need a policy that suits them and their situation, and so making sure that a policy will provide the right cover is essential.

Buying a classic car can often be quite a large investment, which can get even more expensive with possible restoration costs and upkeep. If you own such a vehicle, or are planning to purchase one, you will probably want to make sure that it is adequately insured in case of accidents, damage or theft.  

It is often a good idea to get an insurance policy that is specifically geared towards vintage cars, or at the very least to get an agreed valuation before you sign anything.  Insurers who are not used to dealing with these kinds of vehicles may not always have a good idea of their true value, which could result in you losing money.

For a lot of collectors the vehicle in question will not be their main form of transport, and is not likely to spend an enormous amount of time on the road.  It is also probable that it will be stored in a safe and secure place such as a garage due to its value.  Make sure that the insurance company is aware of these facts, as they will often mean that you can get a more generous quote.

Lastly, it is usually worthwhile to review your insurance agreement frequently, to make sure that it still covers the value of your car.  Some rare models can increase in value fairly rapidly and restoring a classic vehicle can also raise its worth, so be sure to keep your policy up to date.

Finding a good car insurance deal will enable you to be provided with sufficient cover at an affordable price. There are now a wide variety of comparison websites that enable you to easily find the best car insurance deals available. Taking the time to see what deals are on offer will enable you to save money on your car insurance policy.

Comparison websites allow you to save quotes and retrieve them later on, providing you with plenty of convenience. Not only is this quick and easy, it also increases your chances of finding a good car insurance deal that suits your requirements. By comparing policies and quotes, you can seek out car insurance that is sure to keep you fully protected.

Comparison websites offer hundreds of car insurance companies for you to compare. Most comparison websites require you to set up an account, which is quick, free and easy. Once you have signed up, you can begin making the most of the comparison services on offer. Some comparison websites even offer detailed guides to help you learn everything you need to know about car insurance and advice on how to keep your costs down.

Using comparison websites not only enables you to save money, but also to find a car insurance policy that suits your specific requirements. You can receive a quote based on the details that you enter and you can even receive help and tips on how to upgrade your policy so that any special requirements you have will be covered, such as if you need personal injury cover or breakdown cover.

Modified car insurance can often be an expensive proposition when it comes to arranging deals online. Take the time to look for specialist insurers who will examine a reasonable sample size of drivers with modified cars in order to bring the price down. A standard insurance company may see the modified car driver at greater risk due to the expense of buying and fitting modified or non-OEM parts. A specialist company, however, may review supporting data and determine that drivers of modified vehicles are protective of their cars and therefore less likely to crash. The same theory applies for classic car insurance.

When you apprise your insurance company of what is happening with your vehicle and what state of tune it may be in, there is normally a BHP or kW increase threshold before the serious loading applies. Titanium through exhaust with an accompanying rejet might increase the power at the crank by, say, 10%, but exhaust and ECU modification can be as much as 20%.

Be truthful when it comes to modified vehicles and insurance. If you are in an accident, you do not want to become responsible for the other driver’s expenses because your insurance company has declined indemnity. This can be a difficult and frightening scenario. Try to look for an agreed value policy similar to a classic car policy to get the most out of your car insurance. Also, look for extended warranties, as exotic parts tend to run much closer to the limit of performance than OEM parts.

To be able to drive on the road, you must hold valid and up-to-date car insurance.  Depending on the type of insurance you choose, the policy may protect you, your vehicle and any other drivers against the cost of damage to vehicles or property in the event of an accident.  It also may provide compensation for physical injuries to drivers, passengers or pedestrians.

Third Party

This level of cover is the minimum legal requirement to drive a car in the UK.  It is the cheapest form of insurance but only covers harm to your passengers and any other driver or vehicle involved should you be the cause of an accident.  It does not cover any of the costs entailed for yourself or your own car.

Third Party Fire and Theft

One step up from the basic insurance, third party fire and theft gives the same basic benefits as third party cover.  This type of policy also gives compensation should your car be damaged by fire or stolen.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance provides a much greater degree of cover than either of the other two policies and this is reflected in its cost.  As well as protecting passengers and other drivers, comprehensive insurance also pays for injury or damage to you and your car, even if you are the cause of the accident.  Depending on the insurer, you may also receive additional benefits such as payment of legal expenses or a courtesy car while your own is being repaired.

If you are involved in an accident where damage or harm is caused to a person, vehicle or property, both drivers must supply the other person or people involved with their own name and address as well as their car’s registration number.  If the person driving is not the owner of the car, then they must also provide the owner’s personal details.  You may also want to take contact information from any witnesses should you need to provide evidence.  You must inform your insurance company of the accident, regardless of whether you intend to make a claim or not.

Uninsured Drivers

Any accident which involves an uninsured driver should be reported directly to the police, who will provide you with an accident report number.  As in other accidents, you should take the details of the driver and any witnesses as well as photographs of the damage.  Your insurer will be able to advise you about making a claim, but the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) typically provides compensation for victims of uninsured or hit and run drivers.

Accidents Abroad

UK drivers who find themselves in a car accident while driving overseas should follow the same steps as when in an accident at home, including the exchange of information.  If the damage caused by the accident is relatively small, you may wait until you return home to make a claim.  However, if the accident results in serious harm or injury, you should immediately call your insurance company’s emergency claims number.