Cheap car insurance tips


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With vehicle crime accounting for one fifth of all crime in the UK, it is important that you take the right steps to secure your vehicle.  Don’t be disillusioned even if your car is a little well travelled, a thief could still take a shine to it, as nearly 80% of the cars stolen are seven or more years old.

It’s not just your car that thieves are after, it’s your valuables laying around inside them too!  Follow our advice.

Tip 1
If leaving your vehicle unattended, always make sure all the doors and windows are secured, even if you are only popping into the shops.  A thief is an opportunist - don’t give him the chance. If you do not have a factory fitted alarm system consider investing in extra deterrents.

Tip 2
If possible always remove your CD player or cassette radio from the car as this is one of the cheap-car-insurance reasons why vehicles are burgled.

Never leave any important documentation lying around within your vehicle. Thieves may use this to endorse their story when trying to sell your car.

Tip 3
Do not leave your belongings on show inside the car.  A thief may break in to steal money or credit cards.  Also, never leave your mobile phone on display as 45% of car thefts involve mobile phones.  Always take possessions like these with you.

If you are a commercial vehicle driver and you keep your equipment or tools inside the vehicle, always make sure the vehicle is properly secured when left unattended. You made need to take out separate insurance to cover the loss of your “tools of the trade” if it is not included in your vehicle policy.

Tip 4
Whilst you are on the move remember thieves are getting more confident.  Car-jacking is on the increase and some thieves even break into a car at traffic lights or when the vehicle is moving slowly.  When driving in built up areas, it may be a good idea to keep valuables out of sight, your windows shut and even doors locked.

Tip 5
One quarter of car crimes occur in car parks. Always look for good lighting and security cameras when choosing where to park.

 

Taking Your Car on Holiday

If you are thinking of driving to your holiday destination, here are a few useful hints before you start your journey!

  • Insurance
    • Always contact YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT CONTROLLER, if you are planning to travel abroad to ensure you are covered to travel to that country.  You will need to tell us:
      •  When you are leaving
      •  The date you will return to the UK
      •  What country you are travelling to and those that you will travel through to get to your destination
      • If you will be towing a trailer or caravan.

Once you have told us, providing this fits with your insurers conditions you will be able to enjoy the level of cover you have in the UK on your holiday abroad (1).

    • Another important reason to contact us is that you may require a Green Card  (International Motor Insurance Certificate) and possibly a bail bond, depending on the country to which you are travelling.  In most instances these can be issued free of charge and for a limited period of time.  However, this does depend upon the conditions of your insurer (2).

Please note

(1) If you are a commercial vehicle policyholder you may not be able to enjoy the same level of cover you have in the UK as you would abroad.  Most commercial vehicle insurers may only cover your commercial vehicle if you intend to use it for social domestic and pleasure purposes whilst abroad and not if you intend to use it for your business.

Also if you are a private car policyholder and you have the driving other cars extension on your policy you will not be able to use this to drive other cars whilst you are abroad.

(2) Commercial Vehicle Insurers do not provide free Green Cards to their policyholders.

  • Accessories for Travelling

When travelling outside the UK you will need to attach a GB sign to the back of your vehicle if it is a UK registered vehicle, or if you are towing, to the trailer or caravan.

You will also need the following equipment, which is required by law in many countries.

Headlamp beam converters
Spare light bulbs
Warning triangle
Fire Extinguisher
First aid kit
 
 
  • Other useful advice
    • Breakdown Insurance- when travelling abroad with your car it is advisable to take out breakdown insurance.  The last thing you will want on holiday is to find yourself stranded or have to incur large charges to tow your vehicle away. 

At Direct motor we can offer you the choice of two very comprehensive breakdown products.  They both can cover you whilst driving abroad for up to 90 days a year!  Just ask your Personal Account Controller for details.

    • European Motoring- If you do not want to take out a full year of breakdown cover, then you could opt for the travel breakdown insurance we offer which will cover you just for the period you travel.   Just speak to your Personal Account Controller to set this up.
    • Travel Insurance- Always take out personal travel insurance to cover any medical expenses or losses that may occur whilst travelling. To get a comprehensive travel quotation please contact your Personal Account Controller.

Apart from the above, always make sure when you are driving a long journey that you have plenty of breaks and allow yourself lots of time to arrive at your destination.

Above all enjoy your holiday!

To find out more about anything you have read on this page or any of the additional products that are mentioned, you can telephone the Personal Account Controller department on 0870 780 5138

 

At the Scene of an Accident

If you are ever unlucky enough to be involved in a car accident, with all the confusion, shock and panic involved, you will not be thinking straight and you may not act accordingly.  Here are a few guidelines and points to consider so you know exactly what to do.

Breaking the Law

At the scene of an accident you may unwittingly break the law by way of your conduct after the accident. 

 If you have injured another person, or damaged their vehicle, or hit an animal you must do the following:

  1. You must exchange details with the other parties.  You must give them your name and address and the owner of the vehicle if it is not yourself, your insurance details and the registration of the vehicle.

  2. You must recheap-car-insurance at the accident scene for what is seen as a reasonable time.

  3. If you do not exchange details at the scene you must report the incident at a police station in person within 24 hours.

  4. You must also inform your insurer of your accident by calling the 24 hour emergency claims helpline on 01603 420039.

If another person is hurt and if you are asked at the scene to produce a certificate of insurance and you cannot you must:

  1. Report the accident to the police within 24 hours

  2. Produce your certificate within seven days to the police station.

  3. If you have misplaced your insurance certificate, contact your Personal Account Controller by dialling 0870 780 5138. 

Failure to carry out the steps above could result in your prosecution for failing to stop and failing to report an accident, which both carry heavy penalties, such as a maximum fine of £5000 and 5-10 penalty points.  It is also deemed an offence if you refuse to disclose your insurance details without a sufficient reason.

 

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