Insurance - Are You Covered

6 months ago 16th May 14:34

Insurance Cover - Know Your Policy

According to a recent report, thousands of motorists are at risk of losing out on insurance payouts because they don’t read the small print. We look at what to check when reading the details of your car insurance, and how to make sure you’re fully covered.

It’s vitally important to check the details of your insurance. According to a recent study by Swiftcover, 29 per cent of motorists wrongly assume they would be insured for other cars through their own insurance.

A quarter of motorists were unaware stating an incorrect annual mileage could invalidate your policy. And actions such as causing an accident while eating behind the wheel could result in a drastically reduced payout, as the driver could be accused of negligence.

Tina Shortle from swiftcover.com says, "It’s important to know what exactly what is and what isn’t covered. Drivers make a lot of assumptions about their policies".

So what should you look out for? We’ve come up with a list of things you may have thought you were covered for - but may not be.

Car insurance exceptions

Always read the small print. Some insurance companies won’t cover you if:

* Your car is stolen after you’ve left it unlocked
* Your car is stolen after you left the keys inside or on the car itself
* You put the wrong fuel in the car
* The government or local authority legally takes or destroys your car
* Your car fails to start or breaks down due to wear and tear
* Your car is damaged following a mechanical, electrical or computer breakdown
* Your tyres are damaged by braking, punctures, cuts or bursts
* Your car loses value, or depreciates, following a repair
* You’re involved in an accident while eating or smoking behind the wheel - even if the accident wasn’t your fault
* Damage is made to a caravan, trailer or other vehicle while being towed by your car
* Your car is damaged by pressure waves from aircraft travelling at, or above, the speed of sound

Search for more than 300 insurance quotes in less than four minutes - visit Auto Trader’s Car Insurance Centre or call 0800 316 8181.

Items inside your car

Not everything inside your car will be replaced if damaged or broken during an accident - but the following will be:

* Child car seats
* Items such as CD players which you stated as ‘extras’ in your initial quote (some policies will only pay for broken electrical goods if they were locked in your glove box or boot at the time of the accident)
* Car furnishings, for example door handles and your dashboard

Items not covered

* Goods, tools of trade, containers or other samples connected with your work or any other trade
* Alarms or other security devices
* Hazardous goods such as fireworks
* Money, credit or debit cards
* Stamps and tickets
* Documents and securities (such as premium-bond certificates)

More about Insurance - Are You Covered on page 2