Motor insurance protects you from financial loss in the event of an accident that damage to your car causes. However, there are several unknown motor insurance benefits that many people don’t realize they have.
Here are things that even seasoned drivers may not know about motor insurance. Stick with me till the end of this post to find out those benefits that suit you.
Breakdown cover
If you’re hiring a car, you may want to take out the breakdown cover. With this, your insurance company will cover you if anything happens to your car. A breakdown cover is handy if you’re planning on driving through remote areas where there aren’t many other cars around.
Just make sure that your policy covers foreign countries. Ensure that it includes off-road recovery (which will tow you to safety if your car breaks down in rugged terrain). The AA and RAC are both popular breakdown cover providers in the UK.
No excess on claims
If you’re a careful driver, you could save money with policies that don’t charge an excess. If you damage your car in an accident, you won’t have to pay a set amount. Also, if it turns out your policy doesn’t include excess-free cover, then it’s time to shop around for another insurer.
What to look out for
- Award-winning customer service: When comparing motor insurance providers, it pays to check how they handle claims and customer service. Some companies are known for being responsive and helpful when dealing with queries, while others can leave customers feeling frustrated. Make sure you choose a provider that puts its customers first.
- Cover for new cars: Your insurance will automatically cover any vehicle you register in your name. Nevertheless, if you plan on buying a new car soon, make sure it’s on coverage before taking delivery.
Personal Accident Cover
If you have personal accident cover on your motor insurance policy, you could receive money. However, it could be three times your salary (or £25,000). That may not sound like much now, but it can prove helpful if you suffer later injury or loss.
Bear in mind that insurers only payout for accidents that occur within 30 days of taking out your policy. Therefore, always be sure to check with them before signing up.
Many policies come with ‘third party liability cover as a standard which protects you against damages your vehicle causes. This could be property damage and injuries sustained by other road users—up to a certain limit.
Cheap Policies for Young Drivers
It can be hard to find a motor insurance policy that’s affordable and suitable for young drivers. The minimum age to purchase a car in England is 17, while in Wales and Scotland, it’s 18. It can be tricky to choose a policy that suits your needs with these limits, especially as an inexperienced driver.
This is where third-party liability coverage comes into play. It covers you if you are responsible for an accident in which someone was hurt or their property damaged. However, it will not cover any damage done to your vehicle.
That’s why having additional cover like comprehensive insurance is so important. Comprehensive policies provide cover for accidents caused by factors such as fire or theft. They also cover accidental damage to your vehicle.
Comprehensive policies tend to be more expensive than third-party liability ones. However, they are well worth considering because they provide peace of mind when driving around Britain’s roads.
Free legal advice on personal injury claims
You will be entitled to claim compensation if you injure in a car accident caused by another driver. If you need to make a personal injury claim, talk to an experienced solicitor first. A solicitor will be able to give you advice and help with your claim.
The Law Society can put you in touch with solicitors who can offer free legal advice on personal injury claims. This is another benefit of buying motor insurance – you get to know all these for free.
Fire & Theft Cover
Many people think car insurance is all about third-party cover, but you also get fire and theft cover. If your car burns, the last thing you want is to realize your insurer doesn’t pay out in those circumstances. You will be in a much better position if anything happens to your vehicle by getting adequate fire and theft coverage.
Hence, check what your policy covers and get extra protection if necessary. For example, if you drive an expensive car, additional theft coverage may be worth it for peace of mind.
Handy 24/7 emergency assistance service
In case of breakdown, flat tire, or traffic accident, motor insurance offers 24/7 roadside assistance to get you out. Call your provider and wait for an efficient team of professionals to tow your car and help. Remember what we said earlier about an efficient customer service team so ensure your provider has one to enjoy this.
The best part of roadside assistance is that it’s included in most auto insurance plans. This means you don’t have to pay extra for emergency services.
Just remember that not all companies offer comprehensive packages. Therefore if you want protection against theft, vandalism, and liability protection, you should look into getting additional add-ons.
Easier life when abroad with car breakdown cover
As earlier said, it offers car breakdown services within your region. What if you’re outside your region? Breakdowns happen when you least expect them and can be very stressful, especially if you’re abroad.
On the other hand, if you have a breakdown cover, you won’t have to worry about fixing your car yourself. With a roadside assistance plan as part of your breakdown cover policy, help will be just around the corner. The good thing about it is that there’s no price to this as long as you have a good provider.
Conclusion
Motor insurance has much more to offer a driver like you than just protecting your car. Indeed, many don’t know about these additional benefits, and hopefully, this post has guided you through. Now, you can enjoy more benefits from your motor insurance than you ever imagined you could.
