Insurance Guide
Level of cover
One of the first decisions you need to make is what level of cover you require. The minimum required by law is Third Party, which covers damage to other cars but will not pay for your car to be repaired if you are to blame in an accident.
The next level is Third Party Fire and Theft which also covers you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, but doe not cover you for other types of malicious damage. These are fine if you run around in a cheap car but are not suitable if you have paid thousands of pounds for your pride and joy. Most people with cars costing more than £2,000 to £3,000 opt for Comprehensive cover which means that the insurer will pay to repair any damage to your car, whether the accident was your fault or not.The cheapest quote, however, is not necessarily the best. Always read the small print and double check the excesses (both voluntary and compulsory) that are attached to the policy. There are other factors to consider when deciding on a quote: whether you need legal or breakdown cover; whether you need a courtesy or hire car if yours is off the road as a result of an accident; whether you want to protect your No Claims Discount; and how often you want to take your car abroad. Some companies are so keen to get your business that they offer a discount if you insure more than one vehicle with them or if you take out a household insurance policy as well. (For multi-car or multi-anything combined policies, try brokers: www.primoplc.com.)