What Does Comprehensive Motor Insurance Cover

All UK drivers know that the minimum legal insurance they must carry is third party cover, but comprehensive motor insurance cover will give far greater peace of mind. Comprehensive motor insurance cover is added onto the mandatory bare minimum that drivers have to purchase, and it covers a multitude of options.

Extra Cover

If a car is damaged as a result of flooding or storms, drivers covered with comprehensive insurance will be able to claim on it to get the car mended. Weather conditions such as lightning are also covered. If the car is vandalized or damaged accidentally by the covered driver, they can still claim for repairs. On top of that, it covers replacement windows and windshields.

Replacement Car

If a car is less than a year old, some policies will also offer a 'new for old' replacement car if the vehicle is damaged up to and beyond 60% of the value of the vehicle. A replacement car is also lent out by the insurance company while the driver's own car is being repaired. If the car is repaired on the premises of an approved bodyshop, the repairs are guaranteed for a minimum of three years.

Theft

If a vehicle is stolen or burglarized, the comprehensively covered driver can claim for damages to their vehicle and any personal items that were stolen as a result of a burglary. If the car is taken by the owner to another European Union country, they are also covered against car theft and burglary along with accidents and other damage caused overseas.

Home and Abroad

If the driver causes death or injury to other parties during an accident, their cover is unlimited. If they cause damage to the property of another party by accident, they receive cover up to the amount of £20 million. The comprehensively covered driver is also covered to drive other vehicles, but most companies will have certain terms and conditions attached to that. Taking the car abroad is covered on a 'per trip' basis, but the trip can be no longer than 60 days in any one visit. Drivers can also be covered for any special or personal accessories that they have fitted to the vehicle.

Excess

Excess is the part of the policy that the driver has to pay on top of the policy premium in the event of a claim. The excess amount can usually be set by the policy holder to bring down the initial price of the policy. If a driver chooses to pay a higher excess, which they can do if they feel confident that they won't be claiming, the policy price can be reduced by up to half.

Terms and Conditions

We are all too familiar with this phrase. Basically it refers to the small print that most policy holders rarely bother to read. It's the part of the policy that we sign without actually having any real knowledge of it. However, drivers really should take time to familiarize themselves with it because it can actually be the small print that determines whether a claim will be successful or not. Always read the small print before putting your signature on any contract or insurance policy.