Whether you’re learning to drive or have spent decades behind the wheel, purchasing car insurance may seem like a simple precaution that you won’t think about again until renewal time.
Unfortunately accidents can happen to anyone – and so can car theft and vandalism. Having the correct type of car insurance will help make sure that you and other drivers are protected in various circumstances.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of car insurance available and the kind of information you need to provide in the event you have to make a claim.
What is car insurance?
Car insurance is a legal requirement that provides financial protection for drivers if they are involved in an accident or incident which causes damage or injury to another person, animal or vehicle.
The UK government website states: “You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.
Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.” It also does not cover injury to you or any of your passengers.
What are the different types of car insurance?
- Fully Comprehensive – Covers your vehicle for Third Party damage, fire, theft and more.
- Third Party – Covers damage or injury to other drivers and vehicles but not you, your passengers or your own car.
- Third Party, Fire and Theft – Covers the same as Third Party cover, but with the addition of covering repair and replacement costs if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
- Temporary – Short-term cover that’s flexible to your needs. Tempcover’s temporary car insurance offers comprehensive coverage whether you’re borrowing a car, moving home or heading out on a road trip.
How does car insurance work when you get into an accident?
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. A small bump is enough to leave even the most confident driver shaken and a more serious accident can be frightening for everyone involved.
No matter what happens, whether you were at fault or not, it’s important to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible. Your first priority should always be to make sure you and other passengers are safe.
You may have never made a claim and it is possible that you’ll never need to. It’s always best to be prepared and having an idea of what to expect in the event of an accident will help make your claim process as smooth as possible.
Once you know what happened and you’re safely away from traffic, give your insurer a call and they will start processing your claim right away. You’ll be able to find their contact details on your Certificate of Motor Insurance or policy documents.
What if I was driving another vehicle when I had an accident?
You should check your policy documents before driving any car. If you’re involved in an accident while driving another car, you should refer to the clause about ‘driving other vehicles’. This will tell you whether you can legally drive another car and any other restrictions.
It is becoming increasingly rare for you to be able to drive someone else’s car without cover, meaning you need to think about your options. Tempcover’s temporary car insurance could be the perfect solution as it will ensure you are legally covered and protected in the event of an accident while driving someone else’s car.
Young drivers (under 25 years old) are unlikely to be allowed to use other cars as they are considered high risk. Even if your policy has a D.O.C clause, it’s likely to exclude them.
What car insurance details do I give in an accident?
As soon as you contact your insurer after an accident, you will be asked to share several key pieces of information. Having them to hand can save both time and stress.
How to find your car insurance details
You’ll need to provide the following details to your insurer for admin purposes. All should be available on your policy documents:
- Your name
- Policy number
- Vehicle registration
You’ll also need to provide the specific details of your claim. This can include:
- A description of exactly what happened
- Photographs of the damage
- The location of the accident
These details can all help the claim process go as smoothly as possible. Although you may be shaken and upset, you should try and make notes about what happened and when, the exact location, the people involved in the accident and details of any witnesses.
Although it may be difficult, you also may want to take photographs of your car and any other vehicles involved to send to your insurance company.
Do I need to call the police in the event of a car accident?
It’s a good idea to inform the police about what happened, even if it was just a bump. They can give you a crime number if the other person broke the law, including if they didn’t have insurance. You will need to contact them within 24 hours of the incident.
What details do I need from the other driver?
Getting details from any other drivers involved in an accident is important, as this will help the process run as smoothly as possible for everyone. Failing to get their details, if it was their fault, can make it much harder to process your claim.
Before leaving the scene of the incident you should try and get hold of:
- The other driver’s name and address
- The registration plate of their vehicle
- Their phone number
- Car insurance details, including insurance company and policy number
- Copies of any photos they’ve taken of the car
What if I’m not claiming for an accident?
If your vehicle is damaged, vandalised or stolen you will still want to make a claim. It’s important to let your insurance company know as soon as possible. In all three of these situations, you’re less likely to have details of other people involved. You should still make notes and share as much information as you can.
If you’re the victim of one of these crimes, contact the police and obtain a crime reference number. While the police start their investigation, you should feed back the relevant details to your insurance company. Again, you need to inform the police within 24 hours of the event to get your report in the system.
Be as open and honest as possible when talking to your insurer and the police. Anything you withhold or change could be seen as a fraudulent insurance claim. This will invalidate both your existing policy and could lead to further action from the police.
What is voluntary excess on car insurance and will I have to pay it?
Voluntary excess is the amount towards the claim you agreed to cover when you first took out the policy – and, yes, you will have to pay it.
Before your insurance company begins processing your payment, you have to pay the excess. Sometimes, the damage to your vehicle might be less than this. It’s important to make sure you can afford the excess in the event of a claim. Not being able to cover that amount takes away the peace of mind insurance provides.
If you decide to pay for the repairs yourself rather than make a claim, you should still let your insurer know about the incident. Just make it clear you’re only telling them to keep them informed. If you don’t, you could invalidate your insurance further down the line for failing to report an accident or damage.
If you make a claim for repairs worth more than your excess, you could lose any No Claims Discount you’ve accrued, not to mention more paperwork and stress.
What is compulsory excess?
Compulsory excess is a fixed amount you must pay towards the cost of a car insurance claim. This is set by your insurance company and there is no opportunity to change it. The amount is based on factors including age, experience and the model of vehicle.
How will a claim affect my policy?
Making a claim could impact the cost of your insurance in the future, most significantly by resetting your No Claims Discount. It’s worth considering the impact of this before you proceed with your claim, as you may prefer to keep the discount for its long-term benefits.
Claiming helps resolve a situation and cover unforeseen costs, but will make you appear more of a risk to insurance companies in the future. You can still find the right policy to suit your financial situation and build back your No Claims Discount over time with safe driving.
Although each claim is different and different insurers will need different information, on the whole the claims process remains very similar.
How does temporary car insurance work?
Short-term car insurance offers a solution to many everyday situations. It allows you to get a flexible and fully comprehensive policy for periods ranging from 1 hour to 28 days and will cover you for damage caused to yourself, your vehicle, other drivers and their vehicles.
How does Tempcover work?
You can get a quote in under 2 minutes for temporary car insurance from Tempcover.
- Fill in your details
- Get your quote
- Purchase your policy
Tempcover it!
Tempcover’s temporary car insurance won’t affect your No Claims Discount. If you’re looking for short-term car insurance, we have the right option for you – and will provide you with fully comprehensive cover for a time that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does car insurance work when you buy a new car?
It is a legal requirement to have car insurance before buying a new car, so make sure you search around for a good deal and choose a policy that works for you when you do. You have the choice of Comprehensive, Third Party or Third Party Fire and Theft if you’re purchasing an annual policy.
Car insurance is likely to be high for new drivers, especially those under the age of 25. If you’re looking for a short-term option before arranging annual car insurance, Tempcover’s temporary car insurance could be a great option.
How does a No Claims Bonus work?
When you go 12 months without making a car insurance claim, you will get another year added to your No Claims Discount. This will help you save money when it comes to renewing your policy. If you make a claim, you’re likely to lose some or all of your discount but can bring it back up over the years with safe driving. No Claims Bonus is not applicable to temporary car insurance but existing No Claims policies are unaffected by any Tempcover policy.
