How to Avoid Disputes On Your Car Insurance
You may think that your car insurance offers automatic protection against accidents, legal claims and theft – but have you really read the small print? By taking the time to understand what your policy covers before signing on the dotted line, you could save plenty of financial and emotional stress in the future.
Shop around – Few people take out car insurance nowadays before comparing different policy prices – but it’s just as important to look at the cover offered by competing insurers. A low price might mean policy exclusions, large hidden excesses and a poor claims service, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the fine details of the cover before you buy. Comparison sites will find you the best prices, but to compare policy details you will generally need to visit the websites of the insurers themselves.
Pay Attention to the Proposal Form – When you arrange your car insurance, you will generally sign a written proposal form or complete a form verbally over the telephone. The questions that you answer at this stage will form the basis of the insurance contract and can render the policy null and void if answered incorrectly. For example, if you fail to disclose any modifications that have been made to your car then your insurer can fail to pay out when you make a claim. They may even charge you a penalty for failing to disclose important information.
Read your Policy – Your car insurance policy will generally arrive with your certificate, and both should be examined carefully. Make sure that it faithfully catalogues the answers you gave in the proposal form, and that there are no exclusions that you were unaware of. If you spot a mistake then inform your insurer immediately – some companies will refuse to alter changes that were not noticed within a few days of your receiving the policy copy.
Value your Car Correctly – Undervaluing your car can lead to disputes and disappointments in the event of your making a claim. You should also be aware that the value you put on your car at the time you take out the policy is not necessarily the amount you will receive should your car be written off. Some insurers will offer you the current value of your car, while others will attempt to find a vehicle of a similar age and model to replace it directly.
To get a policy you understand; it’s advisable that you browse a variety of sites that can provide you with full, clear policies. To compare and contrast, look at Beat That Quote’s website for car insurance comparison. Likewise, a site like Co-operative Insurance offers competitive car insurance quotes to help organise your purchase
December 30th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
[...] Toolbox dispenses some tips on avoiding disputes with your auto insurance company. As with any insurance product, it pays to read the fine print, shop around, and be truthful on [...]
January 13th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
[...] Toolbox presents How to Avoid Disputes on Your Car Insurance posted at Insurance [...]
October 20th, 2009 at 11:15 am
“Nice article. I thought to let you know that ur website looks a bit messed up in the Camino 2 browser.”