Car insurance is a legal requirement and something that all drivers have to ensure is taken care of. In this situation we are all shopping around to find the best deal possible in terms of the price and the amount of protection that it offers. Along the way however, there are certain situations that will often arise where it is important to know the specific ins and outs in order to avoid potential difficulties.

Third-party claims

Third-party claims, or ones made on the insurance of another driver, can be relatively uncomplicated but if in the event of an accident there is some disagreement over which driver caused it then this can make it less straightforward. You may believe that you were not the cause of the accident or misdemeanour and in this case you should take photographic evidence of the scene as well as contact details for the other driver and any witnesses. This can go some way to safeguarding you when the insurance company look into what caused the accident, if indeed you were genuinely not at fault.

Courtesy cars

Most insurers include a courtesy car as standard for the times when your car has become unavailable due to an accident. The objective is to keep you on the road without disruption to your everyday life while your car is repaired. It is doubly important in this instance to check over the specific terms outlined in your policy because you may find that an obligation attached the courtesy car is that you must have your vehicle repaired at a garage specified by the insurance company. If you choose to have the car repaired in a different location then this can sometimes lead to the insurance company deciding not to issue you with a courtesy car.

Sufficient cover

It is perhaps one of the more obvious aspects when it comes to car insurance pitfalls but you should always make sure that you are backed up sufficiently against loss or damage. There will naturally be a number of options where you can pay less but as expected this will equate to a decreased amount of cover against certain occurrences. One such example is valuables, so look around to see if there is a policy that protects you in the situation where your belongings are stolen from your vehicle. In an accident your insurance may stipulate that you are not fully covered against the likes of medical bills so make absolutely clear what your company offers with regard to this.

Article written by Steve Regan, a driver for over 20 years who specializes in sourcing and dispensing the latest advice for the times when you are looking to go and compare your car insurance.

Print This Page / Download PDF / Email This Page