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How to get the right car insurance policy for you

Provided by Zurich Connect

Got a new motor? Looking for great car insurance online? The sheer volume of motor insurance policies and products now on the market can make finding the right policy a baffling experience.

With many of the nation's supermarket chains, as well as the established specialist insurance providers, now also offering insurance policies, the options are legion. The good news is that price- wise, it's never been easier to track down the best deals. Price comparison sites, that present the latest offers in one click, are quite simply a gift to consumers. Trouble is, many motorists while understandably driven by financial imperatives, risk missing out on the right policy for their specific needs.

Everyone wants the best car insurance quote, but it pays to ensure you've worked out exactly what your policy needs to cover before you compare prices and sign on the dotted line. Find car insurance that fits the bill for you with the help of our handy car insurance guide...

How much cover do you really need?

In adherence with The Road Traffic Act, all UK motorists are legally required to take out Third Party motor insurance. This is the mandatory minimum insurance policy provision. It covers the costs of repairs to other people's property and for any injury or death, f an accident is your fault.

It is the cheapest type of insurance on the market and covers your basic liability to other people. However, it is vital to consider the additional cover that you may need, and specifically cover to meet the costs of repairs to your own vehicle in the event of an accident. Being underinsured could incur a hefty bill for you to pay if you are involved in a serious accident, your car is vandalised or a total write off.

Carefully consider the eventualities for which you could comfortably cover the costs and the amount of assistance you require from your motor insurance provider.

Essential checklist

Most insurance companies offer a range of optional extras for an additional premium. Some you might well be able to do without, others could prove essential. Ask yourself the following key questions and make a decision about each of them. They all influence the kind of cover you will need and the cost of your policy.

1. Value wise: Do you own a model listed by police as being at high risk of theft? Check out the Home Office vehicle crime prevention department's Car Theft Index - and make sure you get theft cover if your car is listed. Look for a policy that also offers replacement vehicle locks following loss or theft of keys so you don't have to foot the bill as Zurich Connect does.

2.  

   Wheels dependent?: Do you drive long distances and rely on your car for getting to work and visiting friends and family? Factor in any potential loss of income and inconvenience as well as repair costs if -you're involved in an accident and your car is off the road. LLook for policies that provide you with a courtesy car as standard while yours is being repaired following an accident.

    

3.  

   Driving habits: Do you frequently drive in remote or rural areas? Local emergency garages might be thin on the ground and will inevitably charge exorbitant roadside repairs and towing fees. Adding breakdown cover to your policy could save you substantial amounts of money and give you valuable peace of mind when you're out on the road.

    

4.  

   Foreign roads: Do you frequently take your car abroad for either business or pleasure? Consider both the costs and how you would cope in the event of an accident or breakdown when driving in the EU. Look for a policy that offers you insurance and breakdown cover in the EU. Zurich Connect provides 60 days cover for driving in the EU and you can add European breakdown and recovery cover as well.

    

5.  

   People wise: Do you wish to allow other people - your partner or family members under the age of 24 to drive your vehicle? Consider the levels of risk and driving histories of all drivers you intend to name on your policy...

    

Zurich Connect offers one of the most comprehensive and competitively priced UK car insurance policies on the market. Its Standard Cover gives you Third Party liability plus cover for damage to your vehicle (sustained in an accident, by malicious damage, fire, theft or attempted theft).

Zurich Connect also offers breakdown and home call services - from as little as 60p per week.

Zurich Insurance plc is authorised by the Irish Financial Regulator and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Services Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Services Authority are available from us on request. Cover not available in the Channel Islands.