The Matthews Guide to Motor Insurance – Insurance Specialists – Buyers GuideBuy The Guide for only £1.99
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Information

• Accident procedure.

• Anomalies.

• Automatic renewals

• Courtesy car.

• Driving other cars.

• Foreign travel.

• Instalments.

• Internet or phone?

• Legal protection.

• Lower rate numbers.

• No claims discount.

• Policy amendment
fees
.

• Policy excess.

• Use of your car.

• Vehicle breakdown.

• Windscreen cover.

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Insurance terminology

Star ratings:

5 Star Rating Top quality prices and cover.
4 Star Ratings Good prices and cover.
3 Star Rating Reasonable prices and cover.
3 Star Rating Not recommended.
1 Star Rating Avoid.


NCD:
No Claims Discount.
APR:
Annual Percentage Ratio.
Green card:
Foreign travel cover.
W/S cover:

Windscreen cover.
Comp:
Comprehensive cover.
TPF&T:
Third Party insurance and cover for Fire and Theft of your car.
TPO:
Third Party cover Only excluding Fire and Theft cover.
X/S:
Means policy excess to be paid either compulsory or voluntary.
DOC:
Driving Other Cars extension. If you are allowed to drive a car on your policy which does not belong to you.

SD&P – Social domestic & pleasure use:
Some companies include commuting on this cover, others do not.
Class 1 business use:
Limited use in connection with your occupation ie. Bank Manager travelling to two or three different banks per day.
Class 2 Business use:
Extensive Business, commercial travelling etc.

Duty of disclosure:
It is vital to know and remember that because an insurance company has not asked you a specific question, does not mean that you do not have to disclose relevant information which could effect your insurance.
We are all obliged to give any information to our insurance company that may be relevant in their decision to insure our car and the price that they will charge for the policy.
Failure to do this can result in claims being refused or claims payment reduced.
It is always better to declare any information 'up-front' to avoid problems later.

Policy:
This is the contract between you and the insurance company. Basically your end of the contract is that you have answered all questions 'honestly' when insuring with your company. Their end is that they will pay all claims under the terms of the policy on that basis.

Policy schedule:
This normall contains the various statements you made when insuring your car. It explains the type of cover you are entitled to within the policy (comprehensive, third party fire and theft or third party only) It will describe who else, if anyone, can drive your car. It will also describe what purposes your car can be used for (ie business use, commuting etc).

Market value:
In the event of a total loss accident, your car will be valued on condition, mileage etc and a offer is made in line with a Glass's guide valuation (in practice it usually pays to refuse the first offer, as the next offer, if they make one, will inevitably be upward).

Partner:
This means your wife, civil partner, person you live with on a permanent basis, it never means your business partner.

Trailer/caravan:
If your policy covers you to tow a trailer/caravan, it has to be properly constructed and roadworthy, within the relevant laws applying to towing.

Certificate of motor insurance:
This is very important, you need to show this to the Police if required as proof of having correct insurance, also it is needed to apply for your 'road tax'. (faxed copies etc are not acceptable).

Special Offers

Motor or Home
legal protection policies...
from £9.99

Guaranteed courtesy car...
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Breakdown cover
including home start...
for only £42.50

Go to offers page.


Best Advice UK
www.bestadviceuk.co.uk

http://www.localmotoring.com
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Legal Cover

Top Tips:

Avoid using high tariff phone numbers such as 0870 by clicking on our lower rate numbers guide opposite.

Never leave your keys in the car at a petrol station, at home etc as your policy will be void.

Never leave your insurance documents in the car.

Never leave valuables within sight of a thief, put them in the glove box etc.

• If you have a garage, put your car in it at night.


Driving Essentials:

Essentials to keep in your car all year round:

• Road atlas.
• Ice Scraper and De-Icer.
• First aid kit.
• Torch with spare batteries.
• Fuel can
• Pen and paper for accident notes etc.
• Cheap camera to take accident photos.
• Cars with your name, blood group and allergies.


Useful Contact No's:

Association of British Insurers
Phone: 0207 600 3333

• DVLA
Phone: 0870 240 0009 (High Tariff)

• Equifax – Vehicle write offs, outstanding finance
Phone: 01722 422 422

• Finance & Leasing Association
Phone: 0207 836 6511

• Financial Services Authority
Phone: 0845 60 555 25

• Insurance Ombudsman
Phone: 0207 7928 7600

• Office of Fair Trading
Phone: 0207 242 2858

• Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders
Phone: 0207 235 7000

• AA
Phone: 0800 60 50 30

• RAC
Phone: 0345 300 400

• Green Flag
Phone: 0870 400 2410

Tel: 01782 838404 • Email: info@matthewsguide.co.uk
The Matthews Guide to Motor Insurance – Independent Insurance Advice