Getting Started with Car Insurance - FAQs

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• Do I have to have insurance?
  
  
• What if I can't get a decent quote for my car insurance?
  
  
• What is the minimum level of insurance cover I must have?
  
  
• Do I need to get my motorbike / scooter / cycle insured?
  
  
• How does the type of car I drive affect my insurance policy?
  
  
• What is the insurance excess, and how does it affect my premiums?
  
  

Do I have to have insurance?

Yes, it is an offence in the UK, and most other European countries, to drive a car without valid insurance. It is not essential, however, to insure your car for "all risks" - i.e. to get fully comprehensive cover. You only need to insure yourself for the liability you will incur if you damage someone else's vehicle or property, or if you cause injury or death due to an accident. This liability is known as "third party" - you are the "first party", and the other person is the "second party".

What if I can't get a decent quote for my car insurance?

This depends on your circumstances. In some cases, it may be worth simply shopping around a little more to find a better deal, whereas in others, it may, unfortunately, be a case of accepting that some insurance premiums in the UK are extremely high. [more] Some of the more popular specialist insurance types include:

• Female drivers' car insurance
• Commercial vehicle / van
• Fleet
• Classic car
• Motorbike
• Young drivers

What is the minimum level of insurance cover I must have?

You must have "third party" cover, which covers you for liability in an accident.

Do I need to get my motorbike / scooter / cycle insured?

It is essential to have insurance cover for motorbikes and scooters, although not for pedal cycles. If you have a valuable bike which is not covered under your household contents policy, you may wish to consider separate cover for it.

Find competitive motorbike insurance quotes.

How does the type of car I drive affect my insurance policy?

This can affect your insurance policy in a number of different ways, primarily due to the value of the car. Also, certain types of car are particularly attractive to thieves, vandals and joy-riders. These are not necessarily the high performance coupes, as these tend to have high levels of security features. Older cars with turbo engines (e.g. GTIs) are particularly at risk from joy-riders.

What is the insurance excess, and how does it affect my premiums?

This is the amount you will have to pay out of any insurance claim. Insurance companies use the excess to deter people from making claims for low value incidents, which would be very expensive to administer. Some insurers may reduce your premium if you are prepared to accept a higher level of excess.