The wacky world of car insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, and indeed most of the world, and yet there are some drivers who don't believe it's necessary. Now the law allowing police to seize any uninsured car has come into force, the number of uninsured drivers on British roads has fallen.

Traditionally, cars are insured against fire, theft, vandalism, and other damage from a third party. It's not so well known, however, that cars are also insured against Third Potato and Act of Cow…

No, you didn't read that wrong! In recent years, car insurance claims have actually been filed for more unorthodox reasons such as potatoes making a bid for freedom and getting lodged behind brake pedals, and cows deciding that a car looked like a tasty snack and having a lick, damaging the paintwork in the process.

And these are just the more believable motor insurance claims. Pity the driver who had a claim made against them because their car door opened by itself when they drove round a bend, launching a frozen kebab at a passing car and causing untold damage. Or the driver who suddenly found himself with a frozen squirrel as a passenger – the chilly rodent had fallen out of a tree and crashed through the unfortunate person's windscreen.

So when you're shopping around for that cheap car insurance policy, don't forget to ask if you're covered for Potatoes, Kebabs and Bovine Damage too…