*Disclosure – This is a collaborative post.
Everyone that owns a car knows that you legally need car insurance. With premiums at an all-time high and many drivers paying into the thousands of pounds for cover, it is easy to ring round or use comparison websites to find a great cheap car insurance deal. The only problem with this is that you may not be getting the best deal for your money. There are many things that some insurers include as part of your policy, whereas others charge extra. If you are looking at buying car insurance, take a look at our pointers to make sure that your best quote is as good as it sounds.
Protected No Claims Bonus
Your no claims bonus can make a dramatic reduction to your quote. By opting for protected no claims bonus, if you happen to make an insurance claim that is either found to be either partly or your fault, you still get your no claims entitlement. This means that you can still get the reduction benefit on your next premium.
Windscreen Cover
Most insurance policies offer windscreen cover. If you are unlucky enough to need a new windscreen, you can have a new one fitted on your insurance. What differs dramatically between policies is the excess. Some insurers will pay for repairs at no cost to you. Some policies have an excess of a couple of hundred pounds, which is often more than the replacement windscreen! Some policies even take your no claims discount away if you claim for a windscreen.
Breakdown Cover
Many insurers offer breakdown cover. Check how much the policy alters if you remove this option. You should also check if you have breakdown cover with either a bank account or credit card. Many people have multiple breakdown policies that they were not aware of. If you pay for recovery separately, you may be better cancelling it and opting for breakdown cover with your insurance policy.
Entitlement To Drive Another Vehicle
Many policies cover the policyholder to drive any other vehicle. This can be particularly useful if you have a number of cars in your household and you need to borrow one every now and again. It is worth noting though that you are only usually insured third party so if you need a better standard of cover, you should look into being placed on the policy as a named driver.
Discount For Payments In Full
Most policies have an option to pay by instalments. It is worth noting though just how much interest the insurers are charging you though. It may be cheaper to pay the renewal in full using a credit card and then paying the card off as quickly as you can.
Gap Insurance
Most policies do not offer gap insurance as part of your road policy. It is a great idea to look into though if you have a car on finance. The gap insurance comes into play if you have a total loss claim on your insurance. If your car is stolen and never found or damaged beyond repair. The insurance company will pay you the market value of the car. Sometimes though, you may owe more than the car is worth. Leaving you paying finance on a car that you no longer have. Gap insurance covers that eventuality, allowing you to move on and purchase your new car.
*Disclosure – This is a collaborative post.
I protect my no claims bonus every year as it makes such a difference