Cheap Motor Car Insurance FAQs
Do I need to complete a claim form?
To speed up the process of claims, most auto insurance companies will complete a claim form on your behalf over the telephone. This saves time for the policyholder and insurers, enabling the claim to be processed more quickly and efficiently. The auto insurance company will then send you a copy of the details taken, for you to check and sign. Please note that even if you do not intend to claim you must report the claim for information purposes only.
Date - 03/10/2006
What is an excess?
An excess is the first amount of any claim that you are required to pay. For example if your policy carries a £100 excess you will need to pay this amount and your auto insurance company will pay anything above this amount.pay anything above this amount.
Date - 03/10/2006
When do I have to pay my policy excess?
If you hold a comprehensive policy and are involved in an accident or your vehicle is stolen you are required at all times to pay your policy excess either to the repairing garage, or if your vehicle is beyond economical repair the amount will be deducted from the settlement cheque. If the accident is not your fault this amount can be claimed back from the responsible party.
If you hold a Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT) or Third Party Only (TPO) policy and are involved in an accident you will not be required to pay your excess. Your excess only applies when you claim under the fire of theft aspect of your policy.
Certain polices hold an "All sections excess" this means that you are required to pay your excess regardless of the type of claim.
Date - 03/10/2006
Can I claim back my excess?
You may only claim your excess back if you are involved in an accident that was the responsibility of another party. The claim must be submitted to the insurers of the responsible party, where subject to liability being agreed they will reimburse your excess.
Date - 03/10/2006
What is an uninsured loss claim?
Uninsured losses are costs that are not covered by your insurers. This includes your policy excess, Loss of earnings, personal injury, vehicle damage if you hold a TPFT or TPO policy, storage charges and many more. Our advisors will be able to confirm any uninsured losses for you.
Due to these costs not being covered by your auto insurance company, they are only recoverable if you are involved in an accident that is the responsibility of another party. If you are involved in a fault accident you are unable to claim for any of the costs mentioned.
Date - 03/10/2006
How long will it take to reclaim my uninsured losses?
As all uninsured losses are reclaimed from the other party's insurers we are unable to specify a timescale. If there is a liability dispute or the other party have not completed a claim form. All of these are factors that could contribute to a time delay. However on all occasions we will endeavor to reclaim your losses as quickly as possible.
Date - 03/10/2006
What are storage charges?
If your vehicle is taken to a place of chargeable storage, either by you, police or a road recovery service, please be aware that you are responsible for these charges. If the accident was not your fault, then these costs may be submitted to the third party insurance company as an uninsured loss. Everyone that wishes to claim against another party is under a duty to mitigate their losses. This means that all losses and expenses resulting from the accident must be kept to a minimum. You should treat your losses and expenses as though they were coming out of your own pocket with no guarantee of recovery. Our advice would be to move the vehicle to somewhere of free storage as soon as possible.
Date - 03/10/2006
How do I get my repairs to my vehicle completed?
If you hold a comprehensive policy your auto insurance company will arrange for your vehicle to be taken to one of their approved garages' where the repairs will be undertaken. This is the quickest option as no estimate is required and most garages have authority to commence work immediately. If you would prefer to take your vehicle to a garage of your choice you must obtain 2 estimates and submit them to your insurers. Your insurers will then send an engineer to inspect your vehicle and authorize the repairs.
If you hold a TPFT or TPO policy and have been involved in a non fault accident you will need to arrange 2 estimates and submit them to the company pursuing your uninsured losses. They will then forward your claim to the responsible party.
If you are claiming for a theft please follow the procedure regarding comprehensive repairs.
Date - 03/10/2006
What happens if my vehicle is a write off?
Once an independent assessor, instructed by your insurer has inspected your vehicle and confirmed it is not repairable, he will submit the report to your insurers confirming this. You will then be asked to submit all vehicle documents relating to the car (Listed below) this will assist your insurers to value the vehicle. Upon receipt of the documents and the engineers report the valuation should take approximately 7-10 days subject to any queries they may have. You will then be required to accept the offer in writing upon which your insurers will issue the cheque.
- Vehicle Registration Document (V5)
- Certificate of Insurance
- MOT Certificate (If applicable)
- Service History
- Purchase receipt
- Photograph of vehicle (If available)
Date - 03/10/2006
What if I am not happy with the valuation?
The valuation on your vehicle is determined from market value and the documentation you have submitted. For example if you have a vehicle you feel is in A1 condition you must have a full service history to support this. Without this the valuation will decrease.
To assess the value of your vehicle we advise you to obtain cuttings from local auto magazines, showing vehicles the same as yours selling for more. The vehicle must be the same make, model year and a similar mileage. Cuttings of a vehicle with a lower mileage than yours will be clearly worth more; the same applies to a new model vehicle. This type of information will not be sufficient.
Date - 03/10/2006
What information will you need to get a quote?
1) Name.
2) Address.
3) Email Address.
4) Contact Telephone Numbers.
5) Driving Licence Details.
6) Driving Experience.
7) Occupation Details.
8) Accident or Claims or Convictions details from the last 5 years.
9) Car details - Make, Model, Engine size, Registration number.
10) Details of No Claims Bonus.
Date - 03/10/2006