Motor Insurance


What is Motor Insurance?

Motor Insurance covers all kinds of motor vehicles including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars and commercial lorries against events such as accidental damage, theft, and third-party liability. You’re required by law to have motor Insurance if you drive in a public place in the UK.

There are three types of motor insurance:

  • Third party – covers you against costs resulting from injuries you cause to other people and damage to their vehicles
  • Third party, fire and theft – the same as third party cover but with added protection if your vehicle is damaged, stolen or destroyed in a fire
  • Comprehensive – the highest level of cover and protects you against the costs of injuries to other people and damage to their vehicles; your vehicle being damaged, stolen or destroyed in a fire; medical expenses and accidental damage; and damage or theft of your vehicle's contents

Why do I need it?

Motor Insurance helps you to get back on the road as quickly and safely as possible. Depending on the level of cover, it can provide you with financial protection, cover for damage costs and give you the confidence of complete protection whilst you’re behind the wheel.

Aside from being a legal requirement, there are plenty of risks you face as a motorist, from an accident with an uninsured driver to suddenly breaking down mid-journey.

Breakdown cover is not included as standard but can be added. Having the right cover in place if things go wrong could save you both time and hassle. 

For example, you might rely on your car to commute to work and for school pick-ups or drive a lorry to carry out your job. If something happens to your vehicle, it could disrupt your day-to-day activities and cause you unnecessary problems.

What does it cover?

The majority of motorists choose comprehensive cover because it offers the widest range of benefits to protect them while driving. But before deciding on the level of cover, you need to think about what you use your vehicle for.

For example, if you use your car as part of your job, you’ll need to make sure that you’re covered for ‘business use’. If you carry passengers who are charged a fare, you’ll need to have the right level of ‘hire and reward’ Insurance. If you’re unsure about this, an expert broker can help you find the right policy for your vehicle with the right level of cover.

Depending on your provider, motor insurance policies can offer a range of covers including:

  • Accident management
  • A courtesy vehicle
  • Windscreen cover
  • Cover whilst using your vehicle abroad

Other types of cover

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover protects you if your vehicle breaks down. For example, if your vehicle gets a flat battery, a punctured tyre or a more serious fault, having Breakdown cover means you won’t be stranded on the roadside.

GAP Insurance

If you buy a brand-new car, its value can drop pretty quickly. If your car is written off or stolen, your insurer will pay out what it's worth at the time, which will most likely be less than what you paid when you bought it. If you're getting a replacement car, this creates a 'gap' between the amount your insurer pays and the amount you originally paid. Guaranteed Asset Protection, or GAP Insurance, covers this gap. It’s usually sold by dealerships when you buy a new car.

FAQs

Is comprehensive better than third party cover?

It depends on what you want. The levels of cover described above give you different levels of protection. Policy benefits will depend on your insurer, but comprehensive cover can offer a lot more protection than the other Insurance levels. Some drivers may choose a lower level of protection to keep costs down, but it is important to think about what you aren’t protected against if things go wrong. An expert broker can discuss your needs and help you get the right cover in place.

What’s not covered?

Motor Insurance policies generally exclude acts of war, terrorism or nature; injury or damage caused by competition and performance driving; injury or damage caused while under the influence of drugs and alcohol; uninsured drivers using your vehicle and cover outside of the UK.

Find a motor insurance broker

Find a Broker

Key cover benefits

  • A wide range of add-ons to tailor cover to your motoring needs
  • Protection against expensive claims for injury or damage
  • Backed by connected expertise and thinking
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