Motoring basics
What car insurance cover do I need?
Have a gander at the three levels of cover available here in the UK to see which one suits you best:
Third Party:
This is probably the cover to go for if your trusty steed is a rusty old banger worth a couple of hundred quid. If you suspect that it'll probably cost more to repair your car than it will to write it off and replace it, then there's really no point in shelling out for comprehensive cover. Typically, a one year fully comprehensive premium will cost more than your old motor's worth, so you'll probably prefer just to cover damage to other people's property along with any injuries to other people, including your passengers.
Third party fire and theft (TPFT):
This covers the same as third party insurance plus loss or damage due to fire or theft of your vehicle. Again, if your car's not worth that much then this type of insurance is probably adequate, and it's also pretty popular with young drivers who find fully comp premiums too much of a struggle as well as those drivers who have minimal no-claims bonuses.
Fully comprehensive:
Covers all of the above plus damage to your car, personal accident benefit, medical expenses and loss of or damage to personal effects left in the car. In addition, some insurers may charge extra or include as standard cover options such as legal expenses cover, a courtesy car, windscreen cover and breakdown recovery assistance. This type of insurance is essential if your car is worth more than, say £500.
Where should I go for my car insurance?
Insurance brokers
Sourcing your car insurance through an insurance broker can be useful if your vehicle or circumstances are out of the ordinary, for example because you drive a classic car or have a chequered motoring history including claims or convictions. Brokers will research the market for you and provide a personal service, but the policy may cost a whole lot more due to the commission the broker receives for selling it. You won't necessarily get value for money, but if you are worried about getting the right cover than this option may provide peace of mind.
Direct insurers
There are absolutely tons of insurance companies and you may prefer to buy direct, however be wary of paying too much. Unless you compare quotes from a wide range of insurers you won't know for sure if you're getting value for money. And comparing direct insurers takes a whole lot of time, unless you use a comparison site...
Comparison sites
There are a handful of car insurance comparison sites all vying for your business with promises of 'the cheapest quotes' and the 'lowest prices'. It usually takes just a couple of minutes to compare quotes from around 40-60 insurance companies, however be wary of stripped down policies that provide very few benefits - it could cost you more in the long run. One site that does tackle this problem is gocompare.com - they offer a five star rating system that rates all the car insurance policies listed on their site by price but also by the level of cover, so you can see at a glance which policies suit you best. Cool eh?
And finally, some legal stuff...
If you drive a vehicle, insurance is compulsory. The Road Traffic Act states that all motorists must be insured against their liability for injuring other people (including passengers) and for damage to other people`s property.
Road tax is also compulsory, as is a valid MOT certificate if your vehicle is over 3 years old. You are unable to tax a vehicle without a valid MOT and certificate of insurance, likewise your insurance will be invalid if you do not have a valid MOT. Please get off the road if you don't comply.
Remember to keep your car insurance company up-to-date with any vehicle modifications or motoring convictions. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy and land you in deep trouble.
