Not all insurance is equal................
At 1 Answer, we believe in personal service first & foremost. In order for you to get an accurate and competitive insurance, there are a few questions we would recommend that you ask everyone from whom you get a quotation.
If your query is not answered here, or we can help further, please call 01323 843311
Q. What is my total excess?
The excess shown or given may not reflect the total policy excess. Ask about compulsory excess (non-negotiable, applied to the policy in all circumstances), voluntary excess (you might be able to load the excess to reduce the premium or the insurer may have loaded this on your behalf to give a cheaper quote) and check any young/inexperienced driver excess if you are under 25, or if you have passed your test within the past 5 years.
Q. Who is my actual insurer?
Not all the companies you contact are direct insurers. You may find yourself speaking to an independent intermediary or broker. These companies scour the insurance market on your behalf and administer the policy, acting as a guide between you and the insurer. It may be that different brokers have different rates available through the same insurers and insurers won’t undercut themselves…
Q. Does my policy include legal cover/uninsured loss recovery?
This optional extra covers you for losses not covered by your policy, court costs and may assist you by getting a courtesy car in a third party claim, helping you to claim from an uninsured driver and fighting your corner for a personal injury claim. This cover will only be to a specified amount, usually £50,000 or £75,000. Be aware that this is the maximum amount they will spend on your behalf, not a maximum claim limit.
Q. Does my policy include vehicle breakdown cover?
Again, an optional extra which could make quite a difference to your premium. Check with whom this cover is held (Europe Assist, Green Flag, AA, RAC, etc) and whether the policy covers the driver or the vehicle. Also ask whether this includes home start and accident recovery.
Q. Does my policy include a green card?
A green card is needed if you wish to take your car into mainland Europe. Included for either 30 or 90 days on most policies, some companies still charge for this. Whilst you have basic cover abroad with your UK insurance, that expensive comprehensive cover will not be extended without this option.
Q. Is my No Claims Bonus protected, or guaranteed?
If you want to protect your No Claims Bonus, it will cost you extra and may increase your excess. Most companies will allow 2 fault claims in either 3 or 5 years before your bonus starts to decrease. Some companies now are starting to guarantee your bonus, meaning that as long as you stay with that insurer, they won’t decrease your bonus no matter how many fault claims you make.
Please note: whilst protection means that your discount remains the same, your insurance premium will most likely still increase following a fault claim.
Q. Do I get a new-for-old vehicle?
If your vehicle is less than 12 months old, in the event of a write-off, some insurers may give you an identical new vehicle, rather than paying out the value of your original.
Q. Is my insurer/claims department based in the UK?
As a cost-saving measure, many insurers have transferred their underwriting departments and claims departments to call centres outside the UK. This may result in a delayed service and unfamiliarity with your day-to-day policy needs. If you want your policy to be administered in the UK, check this.
Q. What is the duration of my policy?
That cheap premium may not reflect a full 12-month policy. Check for either short-term or bonus accelerator policies being offered. Note that if a company is offering a full year’s bonus after 10 months of cover, that bonus may only be acceptable to that insurer and you may find yourself with less discount than you thought.
Q. Does this premium include direct debit charges?
If you want to spread the cost of your cover over the year, chances are you will be charged interest. Check if the premium you’re given is the total that you are likely to pay.
Q. What are the terms, should I wish to cancel my policy?
Should you find your policy surplus to requirements, you are within your rights to cancel at anytime. However, all insurers will have cancellation charges and you should not expect to receive back a pro rata refund. If the policy has run past it’s halfway point, you may get no refund at all. Cancellation charges should be available on your company’s terms and conditions.
Q. What is the difference between No Claims Bonus/No Claims Discount, Mirrored Discount and Introductory Discount?
Insurance companies offer many different discounts in order to get your business. Not all of these are transferable to a new company, should you wish to move at renewal.
No Claims Bonus/Discount: This is the most usual form of discount, you earn 1 year of bonus for every 12 months you are insured without making a claim. This bonus is transferable to new companies should you choose to move, up to a maximum of 5 – 9 years, dependent on the insurer.
Mirrored Discount: You may own two cars. Or a car and a van. Having spent all that time building up a clean driving record and full no claims bonus on your main vehicle, you may be rightly averse to paying a full premium on your secondary vehicle. Always mention when getting quotes that you have full bonus on another vehicle. Please note, this is not available if you are trying to insure a vehicle on behalf of someone else.
Introductory Discount: You may’ve been insured on someone else’s policy for the past few years and just returning to your own insurance, or had a company car/van but can’t get actual bonus proof. If you don’t have any no claims bonus, mention any driving history you can prove, you may get an introductory discount as companies vie for your business.
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