car insurance is a legal requirement in the uk, but it’s important to consider what level of protection is right for you.
With over 30 million 1 cars on our roads, bumps and potholes are bound to happen. according to figures from our aviva uk claims report, in 2017 there were 350,000 claims 2 and over 99% 2 settled. The most common? personal injury of third parties (44%) 2.
what are the differences between car cover options?
Like your cars, not all drivers are created equal. most vendors will offer different products to meet the needs of their customers.
Reading: What car insurance do i need
Third Party, Third Party Fire & Theft, and Comprehensive are the three standard options generally available in the industry. but whatever you choose, make sure you have the right coverage for your needs.
If you’re involved in an incident, you don’t want additional worries in what could already be a difficult time.
third
Third is the minimum amount of auto insurance required by law. covers your liability for any injury or damage caused to others or to your property, but not the cost of repairs to your vehicle.
Although prices vary by insurer, these policies are not necessarily cheaper.
third parties, fire and theft
You are protected against third party costs and repairs or replacement of your vehicle due to fire, theft or attempted theft. These policies give you extra protection, but still won’t pay for accidental damage if you’re at fault.
wholesale
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Comprehensive auto insurance is the highest level of protection available and covers third-party costs and damage to your vehicle, even if you caused the incident.
In one year, we repaired nearly 120,000 vehicles, enough to fill nearly every lane of the m25 if you laid them end to end 2.
third-party vs fully comprehensive
Do you drive a new or expensive car? then a third party policy may not be for you. If you are involved in a collision that is your fault, you could be facing a hefty bill if your own vehicle is damaged. and you won’t be covered if your car is stolen.
On the other hand, if you can pay for, or perform, any repairs yourself, or purchase a new vehicle, third-party coverage might be an option worth considering.
For many people, it’s worth paying a higher premium for a full compensation policy to have the peace of mind that comes with greater protection.
However, don’t assume that comprehensive policies are more expensive than third-party policies, as prices will depend on your car and your carrier. it’s worth reviewing all your options before deciding.
optional extras to meet your needs
aviva customers can choose from a variety of optional extras to enhance their auto coverage. if you opt for our basic insurance, you will be restricted in what you can add. For example, you can only add named drivers to your policy if they are 25 years of age or older.
uk breakdown cover
This provides extra protection for your car, regardless of who’s driving it, if it breaks down. there are four levels of cover, but this optional extra is not available with our basic insurance.
protect your discount without claim
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Your price will not increase as a direct result of making a claim. again, this is not available with our basic coverage.
courtesy car
You can continue driving if your car is damaged, written off or stolen. this is available as an option for basic customers, but is included in our regular and premium coverage.
protection against motor injuries plus
This offers financial peace of mind if you, your partner or a designated driver are injured in an accident while in the insured car. not available with basic coverage.
foreign usage
complete coverage for when you drive abroad. it cannot be added to our basic insurance, but it is an option for regular clients and is included in our premium policies.
motor legal services
Expert legal support for you and your designated drivers. if you have an accident, we also support the passengers who were in the car at the time. this is included with our premium coverage and can be added to our basic and regular options.
Not all insurers offer the same coverage
Even if you’re comparing the same level of coverage from different insurers, check out what each one offers. not all offer the same standard items, such as uninsured motorist protection, replacement locks, and child seat covers.
Also, don’t assume the most expensive policy is the best or the cheapest is the worst. You’ll find a variety of different prices for insurance policies, so check to see what’s covered as standard and what optional extras you may want to add.
comparison sites
We’ve chosen not to appear on comparison sites, so if you use them to shop for policies, be sure to also see what auto insurance we offer.
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