| So why do you need motor insurance? With so many reckless uninsured drivers on the road we explain why! The purpose of car insurance is to protect motorists against liability in the event of accidents that they cause. Also in the case of a fully comprehensive policy it can provide protection for the motorist’s (policy holder’s) own vehicle. Some people may find the varying different types of cover available a little confusing but to try to sum it up they range from:
Third party only cover
This protects individuals from liability if they were to cause damage to a third party’s property or injure a third party, but does not provide any cover for the individual’s own vehicle or property.
Third party insurance policies in most cases cover:
Liability in the case of damage to other people's property and belongings, liability for injuries to other people, and their passengers, liability of their own passengers for accidents caused by them, liability emerging from the use of a trailer or caravan, while attached or being towed by the insured car.
Third party fire and theft insurance policies are usually the same as third party policies, but with added protection for the cover of losses resulting from a fire or theft of your vehicle.
Fully comprehensive cover
Fully comprehensive cover can offer insurance for the theft of your vehicle, accidental damage to the vehicle, fire damage and also responsibility towards any third parties (see paragraph above).
In most cases comprehensive car insurance policies will cover:
Liability for damage caused to other people's property and belongings, liability of passengers for accidents caused by them, liability for any injuries caused to other people, including passengers involved, liability emerging from the use of a trailer or caravan, while attached or being towed by the insured car. Fire damage and/or theft, accidental damage to your own car, Medical expenses incurred as a direct result- (policies and amounts paid vary). Loss of or damage to personal effects in the car, - (policies and limited amounts vary). Personal accident benefit - (policies and amounts paid vary). In most cases legal expenses insurance will be included in your policy but do check that it is included.
What is a no claims discount?
If your not a new driver then we’re sure you already know all about no claims discounts as they have probably been saving you money annually on your premium for years but for new drivers here is an explanation: Insurance policyholders with a claim free history can usually qualify for a discount off their annual insurance costs. Amounts can vary from motor insurer to motor insurer but a rough guide would be a discount of 20% - 30% after your first claim free year right up to the heady heights of 50% - 65% or even more after five or so years. Its often a good idea to protect your no claims once you have a year or more behind you, for a small addition to the price of your policy a number of claims are allowed in a five year time-span (in most cases around 2 claims). For more information regarding the protection of your no claims discount speak to your insurance agent.
Remember….
Not only is it dangerous, irresponsible and mindless to drive without insurance it is also against the law! It is an offence to drive your car or allow others to drive your car without insurance in any instance. It is a requirement that all motorists are to be insured against their liability for injuries to others, including passengers and for any damage caused to other people's property arising from the use of a vehicle on a public road or any public space in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.
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