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Posts Tagged ‘Car’

Car Insurance Guide

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Our guide to car insurance contains all you need to know about finding the right type of motor insurance policy, how to lower the cost of your premium and what to do in the event of a claim.

If you want to go directly to another section of our guide to car insurance, you can click on one of the links below:

Car insurance is almost certainly the financial product most commonly held by consumers in the UK, with the possible exception of a bank or savings account. This is hardly surprising: if you drive a vehicle, insurance is compulsory.

In theory, this ought to make everyone a car insurance expert, able to get the best deal on their motor cover.

Yet too many of us tend to stick with the same insurer for too long and end up paying hundreds of pounds more a year than we need to. We only change policies when premiums become very noticeably too dear.

Conversely, we pat ourselves on the back because we have found ultra-cheap car insurance - only to discover that when we make a claim, certain items were never covered under the terms of that policy.

Shopping around is the starting point for anyone who wants the best car insurance deal. Our car insurance comparison tool allows you to search for and compare quotes from more than 60 top insurers and brokers in the UK.

But knowing how motor and car insurance works can help you get an even better deal - not just on price but in terms of the service you may need from your insurer. This guide is designed to help you achieve that.

It tries to answer some of the most typical concerns of motorists: everything from explaining how your quote is set and tips on how to cut the cost of your cover, to the various steps involved in making a claim.

Tags: Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Car Insurance Policy, Insurance Cover Types
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Insurance Claims, Car Insurance Cover Types, Cheap Car Insurance | 2 Comments »

Young Driver Car Insurance Guide

Friday, June 5th, 2009

If you’re a young driver and/or inexperienced, looking for car insurance can be a rather frustrating experience. Some insurers will quote very high premiums; others may not even insure you on a particular vehicle, it can sometimes feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall.

What can you do?

Motor Quote Direct has put together some helpful tips on how you can lower your insurance premiums if you’re any of the following:

A new driver.
A young driver.
A driver in their early 20’s.

Why are premiums so high for new drivers?

Firstly it’s important to understand why insurance companies are quoting you high premiums.

New or younger drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.
Around 30% of deaths on UK roads are caused by young drivers in the 17 – 25 age bracket.
Young drivers are likelier to have their cars broken into or to be victims of vandalism.

How can younger drivers get cheaper car insurance?

Your insurance premium is based on your risk. So if you are less likely to be involved in an accident, be the victim of theft or vandalism then you’ll find your insurance premiums will naturally be lower. As a new young driver there’s nothing you can do about being in the risky age bracket nor can you do anything about being less experienced.

The only bits you can focus on to reduce your premiums are things like:

Pass plus scheme. Some insurers offer discounts to young or new drivers that have achieved the pass plus certificate.
The type of car you drive. Cars with large size engine, turbo charged or sports cars, modified cars are all going to make your premiums go through the roof. It’s important to think conservative, 1.1 litre 3 door hatchbacks with no modifications, that’s more like it!
Where you park your car. If you park your car on the street it’s more likely to be broken into than a car parked in a drive or a locked garage.
When you use your car. Think about when you need to use your car, some insurers offer lower premiums to young drivers who agree to use their cars during the day and not between the hours of say 8pm and 5am.
How you drive. Remember to drive carefully and try not to get any points on your license as this will cause your premiums to increase whatever your age.
Getting insured under your own policy - In the long run it’s best to get your car insurance in your own name rather than be added to your parent’s. This means you will start to build up your own no claims bonus and in the future your premiums should be a lot cheaper.

Tags: Budgeting, Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Car Insurance Quote, Young Drivers
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Cheap Car Insurance, Savings, Young Drivers Car Insurance | No Comments »

Where to Get your Car Insurance?

Friday, June 5th, 2009

You are already at our website so you are probably aware that shopping around is a great idea when looking for car insurance. There are many ways to obtain car insurance quotes, the pros and cons of each of the major routes are explained below.

Go to an Insurance Broker
A Broker is an intermediary who searches a panel of insurers in order to get a quote for your insurance. They make their money directly from the insurers as they are paid a commission for each policy they sell.

The advantage with using a broker is that they do all of the searching for you, and in the event of a claim will act on your behalf. However, it is worth noting that a broker may not necessarily be able to offer you the cheapest policy.

Go Direct to the Insurance Companies
You can, of course, opt to go directly to an insurance company. However, if you do decide that you want to shop around, it can be time consuming, visiting several websites and obtaining quotes from each one.

Comparison Services
With a comparison service, you enter your details once, and the comparison software searches all of it’s partners (i.e. insurance companies and brokers who are signed up) to find the cheapest quote. You then purchase your policy direct from the insurer or broker.

The advantage is that it is quick and easy to get quotes from a variety of insurers. However, some insurers do not sell via comparison services, so you will not be searching the whole of the market.

Tags: Auto, Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application
Posted in Car Insurance, Cheap Car Insurance | No Comments »

What is my Car Insurance Quote Based On?

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Your car insurance quote is based on the following:

Personal Circumstances
External Factors
The level of cover you require

Personal Circumstances

The Insurance Group of your Car - Each make and model of vehicle is assigned an insurance category, based on various factors including the car’s value, performance and cost to repair.

Click here for more information on Car Insurance Groups.

Age and Experience as a driver - If you are under 25 or have only been driving for a short while, then your car insurance will be more expensive because statistics show that the younger and more inexperienced you are the more likely you are to have an accident. More experienced drivers can expect a lower premium.

If you have a teenage son or daughter it is usually cheaper to insure them on your own car on your policy for a short while, rather than have them get their own policy on a car. Another tip to reduce your premium is to take an advanced driving course, which are run by most driving instructors.

Insurance History - No Claims Discounts - Drivers who do not claim on their insurance get ‘no claims’ discounts. Typically the discount can range from 30% - 65% depending on how long it’s been since you last claimed.

Your Address - The cost of your premium may be affected by where you live. The installation of additional security e.g. locks, alarms, immobilisers etc can help reduce costs.

Your Occupation - What you do for a living may also affect the cost of your car insurance, as some occupations are considered more high risk than others.

Excess - Your excess is the amount which you are willing pay towards the cost of any repairs. For example, if your excess is £200, and the repairs to your vehicle cost £1800, then you will pay £200 and your insurance company will pay £1600.

You can decide how much your excess is - the more your willing to pay out, the lower your premium.

External Factors

Uninsured Drivers - Surprisingly, official statistics state that 1 in 20 drivers are uninsured and other statistics have previously stated then this number could actually be nearer to 1 in 10 drivers. Insurance premiums are affected by this and it is said that around £30 of your insurance premium is to cover the fact that you may be in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Litigation - Personal injury claims following car accidents are on the rise as our society is becoming increasingly litigious. As it is the insurance companies who foot the bill for any financial compensation awarded by the courts this has caused premiums to rise.

Medical Expenses - The accident and emergency part of the NHS can now claim back the cost of treatment (and ambulance) from insurance companies. As medical expenses increase, again the costs of policies rise.

Stock Markets - Insurance premiums are becoming higher because the money which is paid for insurance is often invested by insurance companies until a payout is necessary. This means that whilst the state of the stock market remains unstable, premiums are likely to increase.

Tags: Auto, Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Quote, Motor, Quote
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Insurance Cover Types | No Comments »

BMW

Friday, May 29th, 2009

BMW

BMW is an independent German car manufacturer and was founded in 1913. BMW is one of the world’s leading manufacturers specialising in high-performance and luxury vehicles. They also produce motorcycles and are the parent company of MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands.
The current BMW cars are all set out in “series” such as the M series and the 3 Series etc.

Many people choose to purchase a BMW brand car because of the quality and style that is associated with them. BMW’s are beautiful cars and will continue to improve as each new “series” is unveiled. BMW are always a highly respected brand and people eagerly await the unveiling of their new models at car shows across the world.

BMW bought the British Rover Group in 1994 but because of the huge losses that Rover was making BMW decided to sell them and Rover then became MG Rover and Land Rover was taken by Ford. However, BMW kept the rights to build the new MINI which was launched in 2001 and was a huge success.

BMW Car Insurance Models

1 Series	3 Series	5 Series	6 Series	7 Series	8 Series	Alpine CSA	M Coupe	M Roadster	M3	M5	M6
X3	X5	Z1	Z3	Z4	Z8

Image credit: Luciano Meirelles

Tags: BMW, Car, Car Insurance
Posted in BMW, Car Insurance | No Comments »

Alfa Romeo

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Since 1986 Alfa Romeo - the Italian car manufacturer - has been a part of the Fiat Group and has always been involved in motor racing. In the 1920’s and 30’s Alfa Romeo scored wins at many of the most famous and prestigious races and events such as Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and Le Mans. They continue to have great success with their cars to this day with their Formula 1, Prototypes, Touring and Fast Touring.

Today they have current models such as the 147 which is a small family car that has been produced by Alfa Romeo since 2000. Alfa Romeo has many cars available at the moment and many choose their designs because of the comfort and high quality craftsmanship. Alfa Romeo is one of the leading car manufacturers and is extremely popular today as they continue to bring out new, innovative and chic designs.

Image credit: k3anan

Tags: Alfa Romeo, Car, Car Insurance
Posted in Alfa Romeo | No Comments »

What happens if my car insurance claim is rejected?

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Occasionally, insurance companies refuse to pay claims and can sometimes reduce the amount they are going to pay you. Usually, this is because of one or more reasons.

Clauses - You are not covered by a clause in the insurance policy and it would be better dealt with by another insurance policy i.e. home insurance.
In the event of a write-off - Your claim can also be reduced if your car has been written off and the value of the car is much less than what it would cost to restore it.
Supporting Information - If you do not have receipts for aspects of your claim for example theft of a laptop or iPod from your car then you are unable to make a claim.
Theft - Sometimes if an insurance company believes you were at fault for the theft of your vehicle or belongings inside your vehicle then you will not be able to make a claim.
Untruthful Information - If you have given inaccurate or untruthful information in relation to your claim then you are not able to make a claim.

What can you do?

Keep a record of all the conversations and correspondence in relation to your claim. This can really help with the success rate.
You don’t have to accept their offer. You can sometimes negotiate a better deal with your insurer in cases where you believe the sum they are willing to pay out is wrong. This can sometimes work well and you will get what you are owed.

If you are stuck and don’t know how to deal with something and you feel you are being treated unfairly by your insurance company then you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service who are there to help.

You can either call the FOS on 0845 080 1800 or write to:

The Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza
183 Marsh Wall

Or visit the website at: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

Tags: Accidents, Car, Car Damage, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Claims, Insurance Cover Types
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Car Insurance Claims, Car Insurance Cover Types | No Comments »

A Guide To Women’s Car Insurance

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Until about 10 years ago, cheap car insurance for women drivers was not a priority for most insurers’. Today, women can get some excellent deals on their motor insurance, but as with most things, you have to shop around to find the best prices.

Below is a short guide to help women find the cheapest car insurance deals.
Car insurance prices seem to be considerably lower for women than they are for men and this is especially noticed up to the age of 45. When drivers hit this age the price of their car insurance begins to level itself out.

The Facts about Car Insurance for Women
Statistics in the UK show that women are safer drivers than men and insurance premiums are partly based on these statistics. Below are some of these figures:

Government figures show that over 92% of driving convictions in the UK are for men.
Male drivers are responsible for 98% of all dangerous driving convictions.
It is proven that women tend to drive more slowly, carefully and shorter distances than men.
Even though women have the same amount of accidents a year as men, the accident is less likely to be as severe. This means that women drivers overall claims experience are a lot better than that of male drivers.

Cheaper Car Insurance for Female Drivers
All the advice given in our main car insurance guide applies as equally to women as it does men; however here are a few more tips and tricks on how to get the best and cheapest car insurance deal if you are a female driver:

Purchase a car that has a small engine or is in a lower insurance group. To see what insurance group your car is in click here.
If you are a new driver you should definitely consider taking out your own policy rather than being a named driver on someone else’s. Yes it will be a bit more expensive, however in the long run your insurance will be cheaper because you can build up your no claims bonus. A 1 year no claims bonus will give you a 30% discount on your premium.
Try to avoid modifying your car. These modifications include alloy wheels, body kits, sport exhausts, engine modifications, etc. These modifications, even if really small, can increase your premium drastically.
Adding additional security features to your car can lower your premium. Security features such as immobilisers, central locking, car alarms, etc can really help save you money.
If you only use your car for short journeys then try and estimate what your annual mileage is because putting a cap on your mileage can get you a further discount on your premium.
Some insurers specialise in offering car insurance for female drivers so look out for these insurers to save even more on your car insurance.
Older drivers should avoid putting young drivers on their policy as named drivers as this will increase your premium drastically.

Tags: Budgeting, Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Car Insurance Claims, Cheap
Posted in Car Insurance, Women's Car Insurance | No Comments »

How to get cheap car insurance.

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Obviously one of the best ways to save money is to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal. But the factors below can make a big difference in the premium you pay:

Mileage

Yearly mileage is usually a key factor in deciding the cost of your insurance premium. If you travel a lot then you will pay more. Keep your insurer up to date on your annual mileage.

Learner Drivers

Pass Plus is a great way to lower your insurance premiums. Insurers want to see you are a competent driver so passing your test can be added to by taking extra advances lessons. Your premium can be cut by up to 35% if you have an advanced driving certificate.

Alarms and Immobilisers

If you have alarm systems and / or an immobilizer fitted then you are less likely to have your car stolen which reduces your premium. There are some alarms and immobilisers which cut your premium more than others so check with your insurer before you have one installed.

Car Modifications

Modifying your car can add costs to your premiums.

Paying Monthly

If you pay monthly, you will be paying more because you will be using a credit service to pay for your insurance. Some companies charge fees of up to 29% APR for this service so consider paying your premium annually.

Main Drivers

Who you have as the main driver will affect your policy. If you share a car with someone and they have a cleaner driving license then put them as the main driver to save yourself money.

With insurance you get what you pay for, so make sure you’re not paying for ‘benefits’ that you don’t really need:

Courtesy Cars

You will be paying for this privilege (via your premium) so consider whether or not you really need it.

Legal Protection

It is a good idea to be covered in the event that you have an accident which wasn’t your fault and want the chance to claim back any uninsured losses. However, remember legal support is only granted if you have a good enough case.

Roadside assistance and breakdown cover

Do you need this? You may find that you can get cheaper breakdown cover from elsewhere.

Policy Excess

If you are willing to pay a larger excess then your insurance premium will be lower. Voluntary excess is different to compulsory excess to make sure you read the fine print.

Personal Injury / Belongings

Does your cover include personal injury claims and claims on personal belongings? If so, you may need to consider the costs.

Legal Advice

Does your insurance offer legal advice and medical counselling telephone lines? This may also cost a little more.

No Claims Bonuses

You will need to find out if your no claims bonus will be affected if the accident wasn’t your fault. You can also look into whether you can transfer a no claims bonus which was built up while driving on somebody else’s insurance.

You may also want to look into the no claims bonus scheme and how many claims you are allowed before your no claims bonus is affected.

Tags: Budgeting, Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Car Insurance Claims, Cheap, Cheap Car Insurance, Comparison, Cost Management, Quote
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Insurance Application, Cheap Car Insurance, Savings | No Comments »

Car insurance terminology.

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

ABI Group - Based on the level of risk involved with your car make and model, your car will be given a ranking.
Approved Repairer - Your car insurers will have a list of pre-approved repairers; it’s best to use an approved repairer as some insurance companies will refuse to pay out on claims if the repairs are not undertaken by someone from their list.
DOC Cover - This is Driving Other Cars cover and is sometimes listed in a policy.
Fault/No Fault Claims - A no fault claim is where the insurer can recover the costs from someone else and a fault claim is where the insurer cannot do this.
IPT - A government tax which is charged as a percentage of car insurance premiums.
Loss Adjuster - This investigates the legitimacy of a claim.
Material Fact - Failure to show proof or to disclose material could invalidate a policy.
S, D & P - Social, Domestic and Pleasure is a type of descriptive use of a car.
Settlement - This is when an insurer pays a claim.
TPO - Third Party Only
Under-insurance - This is, for example, where you insure a car which is worth £12,000 at a value of £10,000.
ULR Cover - Uninsured loss recovery is better known as legal expenses cover, which you can add on to your motor insurance policy.
Uninsured losses - Elements not covered by your policy such as hire charges.
Underwriter - This is the person who decides whether to accept a risk and calculates the premium.

Tags: Car, Car Insurance, Car Insurance Glossary, Car Insurance Terminology, Vocabulary
Posted in Car Insurance, Glossary | No Comments »

Posts Tagged ‘Car’

Car Insurance Guide

Young Driver Car Insurance Guide

Where to Get your Car Insurance?

What is my Car Insurance Quote Based On?

BMW

BMW Car Insurance Models

Alfa Romeo

What happens if my car insurance claim is rejected?

A Guide To Women’s Car Insurance

How to get cheap car insurance.

Car insurance terminology.

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