subject: How to Choose the Right Car Insurance for your Family [print this page] How to Choose the Right Car Insurance for your Family
Insurance is vital if you have an accident and in the UK, driving without adequate car insurance is in fact against the law. You may never have an accident, in which case you're lucky. But imagine if you did even a minor one without the appropriate car insurance you may be paying off debt for a very long time.
There are two main types of insurance for vehicles: comprehensive insurance and third-party insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers the cost of repairs, no matter whose fault it was. Third-party insurance is a cheaper option. It pays for the repairs of another person's car if the accident was your fault. If you have an accident and crash into another person's car, your policy will pay out for that person's car repair, but not for your own car repair. If the accident wasn't your fault, then you can claim for repairs from the other driver's insurance company, or take the case to the court.
It is a good idea to add any family members who have a driver's licence to your policy, so that they, too, are covered under your insurance if they ever drive your car. Look for a family insurance policy that will cover everyone in your household.
Always compare car insurance policies prior to making a decision (you can do this online). For example, if you have damage to your windshield, generally only comprehensive insurance covers this in its policy (third-party insurance usually will not cover the cost of a windshield replacement).
Also make sure you are covered for car theft and fire damage. This is generally included in comprehensive car insurance but not in third-party insurance. Some insurance companies offer a mid-way insurance known as Third-Party Fire and Theft, which could suit you if you are on a lower budget and can't afford comprehensive insurance.
Young people may find it difficult to get comprehensive insurance and often insurance companies will require them to start with third-party insurance and work their way up to comprehensive. If they are still living at home with their parents, they should be able to be included as a driver on a family insurance policy.
You can reduce your premium by taking voluntary excesses (where you agree to pay part of a claim), or by agreeing to limitations on who can drive your car. No claims bonuses can also reduce the cost of your insurance premium. This is when your insurance company rewards you if you don't claim for one or more years.
It pays to be aware of what you're not covered for under your car insurance. This includes mechanical breakdown, wear and tear, depreciation and normal damage to tyres. Also be aware that natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes and war, are not covered by comprehensive insurance.
You can see that there are several different types of policies available to insure your car. Make sure you and your family are protected by purchasing insurance and by making sure all family members who are able to drive are covered by the same policy. You can then drive away feeling confident knowing that you are insured for whatever may happen.
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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