The car insurance that's right for you: Part 1
By: Jay Tillotson | Posted: 18th January 2008
With so many different options for car insurance around, it can be confusing finding the one you need. Often, drivers will go with the same company that their family or friends go with, simply because they don't want to brave the spaghetti junction of car insurance policies.
But finding your ideal policy needn't be an uphill struggle. There are insurance firms out there to suit every type of driver and any budget.
The first thing to keep in mind is the age of the driver will affect the policy. Drivers under the age of 25 are statistically more at risk than those over, so their premiums tend to be higher. There are certain schemes in effect however, that help young drivers cut their premium costs. These include the Pass Plus series of driving lessons, covering motorway and night driving, which can secure a discount of up to 30% on premiums with certain insurers. Pay as you Drive is another such scheme, also offering an approximate discount of 30%, which involves a 'black box' device fitted to the car which records when and how far a driver travels. The driver then receives a monthly bill, which includes a fixed premium to cover damage and theft.
Conversely, older drivers can also suffer from higher car insurance premiums. After around 70 years old, a driver is seen to be a higher risk as memory, eyesight and reaction times start to deteriorate. Obviously, this won't apply to all elderly drivers, and there are firms that will insure past this age, but generally speaking the premiums will be higher.
It's not just your age that can affect which premium you get. Your gender, location, driving experience and type of car, to name but a few, all have to be taken into account when shopping around for a policy. Getting more than one car insurance quote is the best way to find a good deal. Never take the first offer unless you are sure you won't get it cheaper elsewhere.
The type of cover is important. There are three main types: Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Fully Comprehensive.
Third Party is the legal minimum in this country and indeed, most of Europe, and will cover damages to another vehicle should your driving cause a collision. It will not cover damage to your own if you are at fault.
Third Party Fire and Theft does what it says on the tin. It covers damages to another vehicle, and also pays out if your car is stolen and/or set on fire. If you need cheap car insurance a Third Party policy may be your best option.
Fully Comprehensive is the one most favoured by other drivers as it covers everything a Third Party policy will, plus 'Accidental Damage', which is damage to your car in the event of an accident. Fully Comprehensive policies will vary as to what extras they include, but they can range from medical expense cover to driving other cars in emergencies.
About the Author
J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in Energy and Efficiency
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