Motor Car Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Motor Insurance In Dubai - Who is there to arrange insurance & registration renewal of my car?
   Insurance & Car registration in Dubai -Sharjah.
   Do you know any firm who can provide motor insurance & car registration renewal in Dubai and Sharjah?

   • ANSWER:
     Insurance arrangements (for Cars) & Car registration renewal in Dubai & Sharjah is being arranged by CarCare Services Dubai.

     Our Contact Address:

     Telephone - 04-2957888 or Mobile 050 7868446.
     E-mail- helpline@carcareuae.com or carcaredubai@gmail.com
     Website www.carcareuae.com

2. QUESTION:
   Standing the cost of a car crash vs motor insurance claim?
   My son recently had a motor accident, we intend to stand the cost of a replacement car (insurance premium would rise a further £2000 for the following year).

   Do we have to inform the insurance company of the accident and if we do will this have an impact on his insurance considering the we stood the cost and didn't claim?

   The current insurance company seem unwilling to answer the question fully and an independant insurance broker was of little help too. Please help!

   • ANSWER:
     ALWAYS inform the insurance company. They get very tetchy if they find out you haven't. My daughter had a total loss. They paid for recovery (it was burned out) but we didn't claim on our insurance and we didn't loose any no claims

3. QUESTION:
   Motor Car Insurance inquiry?
   I have a fully comprehensive motor Insurance. My Grandson, who is 17yrs old has just started a course of lessons with a recognised Driving School. My query is, that I would like him to use my little Micra car to gain experience on the road, will the Insurance company allow me to do it, or will they charge extra?

   • ANSWER:
     If he is still on his L Plate then it should be okay... you should be covered. I am a registered driving instructor who has in past and present taught students in there own family car..... but in saying that we have never had an accident. Some insurers will do anything to get out of paying a claim. But while his still learning your premium should not be affected....it would just be your excess that's affected....
     but it would be worth a phone call . It's when they get on there P'plates is when the premium goes sky high.

4. QUESTION:
   Why is my car on Motor Insurance Database (MID) while I haven't bought insurance yet?
   I've just bought a used car for my son, received the new log book; however, I haven't bought insurance yet, as I intend to keep the car off road at the moment.

   But when I checked my car on the Motor Insurance Database (MID), it recognized my car. Apparently it is ok to drive this car, although I haven't bought insurance for it.

   Do you think this is ok, or will I be stopped by the police driving this car?

   • ANSWER:
     Hi, The MID only shows if they have a record of car insurance on it.
     It may be that it hasn't been updated yet since the previous owner sold it, or the previous owner hasn't bought their new car yet so hasn't transferred the insurance to another vehicle, however, even if the previous owner still has an insurance policy on that vehicle, unless you are covered by their policy (which is very unlikely) you will not be insured.

     If you are stopped and found to be driving without insurance the police will impound you car. you will also be convicted of driving without insurance which can include a large fine and 6 points on your licence (if the driver has passed their test in the last 2 years they will lose their full licence and have to re-take their test).

     Of course even more serious would be if you were involved in an accident, you would not be covered, the other driver would not be able to claim and you could end up being sued plus if someone is injured or God forbid killed, the fact you had no insurance would have an effect on you sentence (yes prison). So all in all I really would advise you not to drive with no insurance. it is just not worth the risk to you or others.

     If you need to move the car or take it for an m.o.t. etc before you are ready to insure it, there are short term policies available on-line (from 24 hours cover upwards). I paid around £20 to insure a car I was buying for 24 hours to drive it home.

     Hope that helps

     Danny

5. QUESTION:
   How do you know if your car is on the Motor Insurance Database?
   I just insured my car 2day... i want tax tomorrow but i need the insurance papers (which I dont have YET however the car is insured) or my car needs to be on the motor insurance database... when is your insurance placed on this database?!?! Wb xXx
   Sorry i forget to say... i live in northern ireland!

   • ANSWER:
     Dunno if it works for NI, but this site will tell you.
     http://www.askmid.com/

6. QUESTION:
   Why does CAR INSURANCE cost more when a CAR/ motor vehicle is PAINTED RED?
   Why does the color red coast more to insure ?

   • ANSWER:
     Because it is scientifically proven that seeing the color red increases your heart rate and metabolism. So cops will be more likely to pull over a red car going 10 over than a blue car or yellow car. Same reason why all the fast food places are the color red. Increasing your metabolism helps you digest and makes you more hungry than you'd normally be, helping the company sell more of its product to you.

7. QUESTION:
   Motor Car Insurance (England) Category Area bandings? D now H? Defintions/map please!?
   I have moved from Hampshire to Berkshire and my insurance has gone up 50% I was in category D area and now cat H.

   Where are the boundaries and areas? I think it is H due to amount of claims, what defines it? Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     I live in Hampshire but my insurance isn't too bad.

     Maybe its because your moving closer to London?

     They class it on amounts of claims in the area. Chances of it being stolen, burnt or vandalized etc. So they look at the area it is being kept.

     Its another thing that effects you depending on your postcode.

8. QUESTION:
   will Insurance goes up when I change my car motor?
   i am trying to buy a car.
   but some cars are cheap when they changed out their motors.
   how much will the insurance go up if the motor is changed.
   and how much will the insurance go up if the car is modified?

   • ANSWER:
     the insurance company only goes by the cars serial numbers as that gives them all the information they need about the car, when you install a larger motor they don't know that.

9. QUESTION:
   Can the motor insurance be purchased under another person rather than the car owner?
   I made 2 claims to my motor insurance last year, now the insurance company do not offer policy renewal to me, thinking about to let my wife to pickup a fresh new policy on the car under my name, she has a clean track record. I wander if this is legal in Singapore.

   • ANSWER:
     She can do this.. but your name will still be put on the policy as a driver, so not going to help. Now for you thumb downer who say I am wrong... I have a policy on a car that I have never owned, but my name is on the policy as well as the owner and have done this for years.

10. QUESTION:
    Does uninsured motor insurance cover damage to a car in North Dakota?
    My car was hit in a parking lot, and the person who hit me cannot be found. I want to know if my uninsured/underinsured coverages covers body damage. I only have liability insurance. Is it worth reporting a claim, will my insurance cover getting my car fixed?

    • ANSWER:
      Who do you have insurance with? Contact your local agent and just say "I was wondering if my car gets hit in a hit and run, if my current insurance would cover that?" If they say yes, it would cover, then tell them "Okay, then I have a claim." If they say "No," Just say, "Okay thanks!" and hang up.

      Edit:

      Foshizel is wrong, in ND all you need is liability coverage. I do not keep collision on one of my vehicles because it's only worth about 0. The liability is to pay for the other guys car if you get in a collision.

11. QUESTION:
    Motor/Car Insurance Database.?
    I have Bought my insurance with a company over the phone/online. I was just wondering how long it will take for the insurance deatails to get onto the MID As i need to tax the vehicle.

    Thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      For private individuals it is the responsibility of the insurance provider to get details of a policy or changes on MID within 7 days of the effective date.
      check if it is on at -
      http://www.askmid.com/ownvehicle/

12. QUESTION:
    Which is the best general motor insurance for new car with all clauses cover?

    • ANSWER:
      Take the policy offered by any of the Insurance companies operating in India, all of them are same and offer comprehensive cover.

13. QUESTION:
    Who will sell motor insurance to a non US citizen buying a car in the US?
    I want to buy a car in the US and travel across the country for 2 months but am having trouble finding a company that will insure me. Does anyone know of a way I can get insurance to legally drive a car in the US?

    • ANSWER:
      Check with a travel agent in your home country. There are many inusrance companies that will sell you insurance, though you may have to arrange the purchase before you arrive here.

      There are no laws restricting the sale of insurance to only US citizens or residents. If you are in the country legally you can legally buy insurance.

      You might NOT be able to get a "short-term" policy however. Insurance is sold in six-month policies in most states. A few states require one-year policies. You'll have to buy a full-term policy and then cancel it when you sell or ship the car and leave the country. You'll get a refund of the unearned premium when you do this.

14. QUESTION:
    In general, what is the cost of adding a second car to an existing motor insurance policy in the UK?
    Is it expensive or is it just a matter of a few ££s
    Thanks

    • ANSWER:

15. QUESTION:
    How long do motor vehicle points affect your car insurance?

    NJ - Progressive Insurance

    • ANSWER:
      it depends on the state you live in as well as what company u are insured with. we need more info.

16. QUESTION:
    If convicted of insurance fraud is it still possible to obtain car insurance?
    If a person is convicted of Motor Insurance Fraud (Staging a car accident) is it still possible to get cover? They were sentenced to 6 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and had to wear a tag for a month... just in case this helps.

    • ANSWER:
      It is possible, but will not be easy.

      Any reputable insurer will use a central database where people found guilty of such fraud will be registered. Insurers help each other out when it comes to fraud and all fraudsters get put on this register. Even if you take out a policy without disclosing the fraud, the insurer will find out within days of the policy being set up and will void your policy for non-disclosure of serious offences.

      There are insurers out there who will offer cover, but as they are few and far between and take on what they consider to be high risk insurance that other insurers wont touch, they will be very expensive.

      My advice would be to use a reputable price comparison site on the internet. When filling out the form, disclose the offence. When it gives you the list of quotes, search through the ones who will offer a quote, and that's your starting point.

      Eventually, under the rehabilitation of offenders act, there will come a point when the conviction will be 'spent', and you will no longer need to declare it for insurance purposes.

17. QUESTION:
    Car motor insurance dispute?
    Hi i was involved in a small accident few weeks ago on a round-about i was at a standstill basically. A car came round the round-about quick like a swerve and smashed my mirror off ,no vehicle body contact just my mirror was smashed of the vehicle had a scratch on back of there mirror no damage to that vehicle now they are blaming me where do i stand here this is the first accident i have been involved in
    any help will be great

    • ANSWER:
      this is "Prime Example" of why you should call the police immediately and never leave the scene of an accident no matter how small it may be..... if they left the accident scene as you did and is now later claiming your fault then it would become a "He Said.....She Said" situation your "Word Against Theirs" unless one of you claim "ADMIT" responsibility which sounds like what they are trying to do.....if you do end up in court then explain to the Judge as you stated here....you can call/go to the local police where the incident took place and file a report and tell them the same story

18. QUESTION:
    I damaged the motor by bumping a cement parking block,Is it covered under car insurance?
    I bumped a cement parking block with my car ,Would it be covered under car insurance because the crank pulley is bent and it goes thru a quart of oil a week now.

    • ANSWER:
      If you are covered by collision, the damage should be covered

19. QUESTION:
    can my insurance company replace my 2006 car with a used motor.?
    My volvo S 40 was involved in a flash flood. Water entered the motor. Now the insurance company wants to replace it with a used motor. Can they do that.

    • ANSWER:
      It really depends on the mileage of the original motor, and the mileage of the used motor. If the motor is actually younger than the original, AND has some kind of warranty, there is no problem. Otherwise I would say it is not acceptable.

      I have a question about the logic of repairing a flood car. How deep was the water and did the car sit in it, with water inside for a while, or, did it drive into the water and suck it up?

20. QUESTION:
    when your car is totaled can you take the motor out before insurance company picks it up?
    crashed my 2006 camary and was wondering if i would beable to keep the motor the car is unfixable

    • ANSWER:

21. QUESTION:
    which car insurance companies update mid(motor insurance database) as soon as a policy is taken out/renewed?

    looking at 3 companies btw direct line, cooperative insurance and lv

    • ANSWER:
      There is no guarantee that any of them will - some take up to 2 weeks. here is no advantage in having the MID updated immediately. All you need is a copy of the certificate or cover note to tax a car at a post office or show to the Police if stopped. If it must be that quick then use one that sends documents by email (Adrian Flux do this) and then you have the certificate within minutes of paying the insurance deposit or premium.

22. QUESTION:
    In the UK when a car insurance policy starts and you haven't received your certificate of motor insurance ...
    ...can you still legaly drive the car and still be coverd untill I have recived my cercificate

    • ANSWER:
      Insurers usually supply a Cover Note within 24-hours of setting-up a policy and this can be used until the certificate is received. I think you should give your insurers a ring to clarify whether or not it's legal for you to go onto the road with neither a certificate or cover note. (As long as they can give you a policy number, I would think it would be fine). If they say it's OK, ask the name of the person you're speaking to and make a note of it, along with the time and date of the call - 'just in case'!

23. QUESTION:
    i got 6 points driving a car without insurance and now i want to insure my motor bike, do i have to tell the?
    i got 6 points driving a car without insurance and now i want to insure my motor bike, do i have to tell the insurance company that i got 6 points driving. which will increase the policy. or r they just interested in riding points, of which i have none.
    on the insurance web page it says past riding history. so its only riding points

    • ANSWER:
      It is always best to be truthful.

24. QUESTION:
    Car insurance, are they allowed to ask if you have any convictions, other than motor ones?
    I have just been asked.

    I havent got any but find it really cheeky, I understand them asking for motoring convictions but what business is it for any other convictions?

    • ANSWER:
      All officials want every detail of your life to add to the computerised records they already hold in the UK. Most spied on, most taxed and most brain dead population now to judge from the answers to your most reasonable question.

25. QUESTION:
    Do i need car insurance while im not using the car?
    Im due to renew my car insurance. Ive 6 days after my motor insurance policy ends where i will not be using the car. Do i need to be insured for these 6 days despite not using or moving the car.?

    thanks

    • ANSWER:
      Well, if your car gets broken in to or stolen in those 6 days, you won't have any insurance coverage and will have to pay out of pocket for the damages. It's really up to you if you want to take that chance.

26. QUESTION:
    When was insurance for motor cars introduced?
    What was the first car to be insured and when was it made compulsory?

    • ANSWER:
      The first ever recorded fatal car crash in England was in 1930 in Harrow on the Hill. I could well believe that was when car insurance was introduced

27. QUESTION:
    Need to buy my first car but can't buy insurance before seeing the car, what do I do? Please help...?
    I did some check online, seems you have to have a vehicle before you can buy motor insurance. But I haven't decided which car I am going to buy. Say if I meet a private seller and I want to buy his car, how could I drive it home? Should I go find a internet cafe and purchase car insurance right then?

    • ANSWER:
      If you see a car either private or garage, take the details down, Reg, Make, Model, Engine size/type and tell the seller you will have to check out insurance costs.
      If you really want to buy the car, tell the seller, you want the car and could they bring the car home for you.
      Failing that, get a mate with valid car insurance which "allows them to drive any motor vehicle, not owned by them, with the owners consent".
      They could drive it home until you obtain insurance, but ensure the car is taxed AND has a valid MOT.
      The wise thing to do would be to buy the car from a dealer, have them hold it for you for a few days until you obtain insurance. Most dealers will usually hold the car for a few days for a safety check and to verify your details anyway.

28. QUESTION:
    Where can I find cheap car insurance for young driver's in Ireland?
    I am an 18 year old guy,and I can't find any f****** reasonable motor insurance,because whether I'm 18 or 80 I'm not paying 3/4k a year for a 'in case' situation which is most likely never going to happen-i.e a crash.Because I only see driving as a form of driving,not as 'fun' or showing off.But I need to have a car to travel.

    • ANSWER:
      Try Quinn Direct they're in Ireland and I got a cheap quote of them earlier and I'm 17. Go on confused.com or Moneysupermarket.com they'll give you the best prices available

29. QUESTION:
    i need to know the new car tax rules and motor insurance rules for 4x4 vehicle?

    • ANSWER:
      go to the DVLA web site.

30. QUESTION:
    Does a car need insurance if it isn't being used?
    My mam bought me a car as my test is in a weeks time, but im trying to tax the car as it has been declared as off the road.
    When i try to tax it, it is asking if the car has valid motor insurance, it doesnt as nobody is driving it, should it have insurance if it isnt being used?
    Ok thanks,

    How long does it usually take for the tax to become effective if the car has been declared as off the road? As I want to put my L plates on and go out with my mam, but cant drive it until the tax has went on. Does it take immediate effect?

    • ANSWER:
      No if the car has been declared off road SORN and is on private land. However when you go to tax the car it will need a valid insurance certificate, a valid mot (unless exempt) and a log book or tax reminder notice (or the green slip from previous log book if you are still waiting for it to come through) If you do it at the post office you will need to produce the documents and you will walk out with a tax disc which you can then use right away. If you tax online yes the vehicle is taxed however it is against the law to drive a vehicle on the road without displaying a valid tax disc which is why they recommend doing it online in advance. Also i would recommend if you can wait that long before driving it - to tax it at the start of the month as you will pay out for feb & most of feb is over by the time you have your documents sorted

31. QUESTION:
    Gap insurance for private motor cars - is it worth taking?
    I bought a new car on hire purchase. I was offered Gap Insurance on it for £135 I think. Basically if the car is written off in an accident the insurance company will make up the difference of the financial settlement my car insurance company will make on a written off vehicle i.e. if I owe more on finance than the vehicle is worth at the time Gap will make up the difference.

    Also I wrote my previous car off in an accident and the first question my insurance company asked me was is the vehicle obtained through hire purchase. That vehicle was not but would it have made a difference to a settlement if it had have been?

    I really mistrust the advise of car sales advisers. Thats why I'm asking here. They tried to sell me a payment protection policy. I challenged them that the cover offered was a complete joke. The girl said she should'nt be telling me this but she fully agrees and that they are rubbish.

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, gap insurance is definately worth it. You're not going to get anywhere near enough money to buy a replacement on just normal insurance. So if you get gap insurance, you won't be hugely out of pocket if something happens to your car.

32. QUESTION:
    Can anyone recommend a Motor Insurance company who will insure drivers after disqualification?
    I am trying to add a named driver to my car insurance. He was disqualified for 2 years for refusing to submit a blood sample. My current insurer won't insure him. Who will?
    The 2 years suspension was over at the end of March.

    • ANSWER:
      Assuming he has his license back then try quoteline, they specialise in insuring previously disqualified drivers. BUT be ready for a expensive quote. Subject to being a small engined vehicle it could exceed £1500.

33. QUESTION:
    Does being fully comprehensive on car insurance mean you can drive other cars?
    Hi there, on my certificate of motor insurance it states i can drive other vehicles with owners permission but only as third party cover. Is this a standard benefit of fully comprehensive cover or is it only certain companies that do this? Also, are there age restrictions to this i.e, you have to be over 25?
    Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      Yes in most cases you are covered to drive other people's cars but there are a few exceptions.

34. QUESTION:
    will a non motoring caution affect car insurance?
    i recently have taken out new car insurance and in the form it asks only if i have had any motoring convictions in the last 5 years (which i havent) however once i payed for and received the documents i read the small print and it states that insurance is void for a number of conditions (like being under 21 etc) but also that drivers on the policy must not have any "non motoring offences". i received a police caution earlier this year will this void my insurance?

    • ANSWER:

35. QUESTION:
    Can someone recommend the best motor insurance (private car) in Singapore?

    • ANSWER:
      can check it out with GE but NEVER EVER Prudential,cos my friend formerly works in there and left cos of the poor after sales service

36. QUESTION:
    can you sue someone if they dont have car insurance and uninsured motors is covering it?
    Someone hit me, admitted fault. Then I found out their insurance was invalid. My uninsured motors is paying for my car. Can I still sue?

    • ANSWER:
      You wouldn't need to. Your insurance company had the loss and will be going after the af fault person to get their money back. If you had a loss and paid a deductible amount, they will get that back for you when they recover theirs, so there is no need for you to file suit against them on your own.

37. QUESTION:
    We are gettomg Renters, Car, and motor cycle insurance?
    We do not know anything about insurance...
    2007 chevy aveo sedan
    and a bike that has not been purchased if you can recomend a styleish bike that is good for riding long hours PLZ let me know

    Give me what you pay and your companies web site

    p.s. I am 20, she is 18, not married yet,
    She is a begining as far as driving goes and I have 5 years exp no accidents.

    • ANSWER:
      Car and bike insurance for rentals is generally offered through the rental company (lease is different rental is short term)
      if its really a rental.. take the rental co insurance recomended its cheap.. and it lets you off the hook.. LEASE (although i never heard of a motorcycle lease..) is long term and you have to get yer own insurance.. I always did bike insurance with Gieco, and I do car insurance thru General

      Bike wise and comforratable for LONG hours? No question on that one.. you cannot beat a honda gold wing full dress for comfort.. freaking Cadilac or motor home of motorcycles..

38. QUESTION:
    How much is Motor Cycle insurance?
    I'm 21 years old female and have had my license for 3 years, I went to driving school. So what would be my car insurance for a motor cycle each month? Is it more or less than a car? and if you don't want to answer can someone direct me to a source?

    Thaaaanks! <3

    • ANSWER:

39. QUESTION:
    do i actually need motor legal protection built into my car insurance?

    • ANSWER:
      technically no, however it would be silly not to.
      legal protection means your insurance not only covers costs in an accident but helps protect you from people claiming compensation against you. (whether injured or not).
      most policies have cover for these claims but without legal protection it is likely you would have to deal with the claim yourself.
      with legal protection you are able to simply refer anybody making a claim to your insurance company.
      in effect it does what it says on the tin, legal protection protects you from any legalities both financially but also from the stress that often goes with somebody trying to squeeze every bit of cash they can from you.

40. QUESTION:
    AskMID - Wrong Car Details on motor insurance database?
    I changed cars about 3 weeks ago and still haven't received any docs at all. rang my insurers who said give it another week then thought I should check ASKMID. I entered my current car's registration number which came up *but* the car details, make and model were for my previous car. I rang the insurers back who said they had their details correct and to phone DVLA. but I couldn't get through to anyone who could help. I'm keeping my policy number and insurer's phone number in the car - what else can I do to make certain it's put right please?
    Jed Slade - that's just it - they haven't even sent a cover note which would be nearly out of date by now anyway.

    • ANSWER:
      I had a similar problem and was told to ring my insurance company - who told me to ring the police - who told me to ring DVLA - who told me to ring my insurers!
      If you arranged your insurance through a broker, the mistake is probably with them
      Eventually, I rang the broker I had originally arranged my insurance with - they denied they'd made a mistake but did trace the mistake which they said was a computer fault (yeah, right!!!)
      Did get it sorted out eventually but it cost me a fortune in phone calls.
      If you don't get it sorted, you'll be stopped by VOSA, everytime you go through one of their road checks - that was how I discovered their was a mistake in the first place. They had my registration right on my policy but wrong on their records.

41. QUESTION:
    Wal Mart Lube and Tire burned my car motor up. Their insurance says they are libiel for the repair only?
    SERIOUS HONEST ANNSWERS PLEASE!
    I had turned onto the interstate when all my lights came on and the brakes and power steering were hard to control. I was terrified of because of so many big rigs and traffic. I sat on the side for an hour waiting foor them to get there, and another 2 hours for them to put on an oil filter and pour in the oil, then another 45 minutes or so for the motor to cool so it would crank. The clatter when i started to drive it told me it was burned up, so i immediately took the first exit and went stright to the manager. I am in another city stranded here with a friend i was visiting, but should have been at home last friday. Should I be entitled to more than a new motor? And if so, how do i go about getting the insurance company to cough it up??
    sorry, i ommited that I had just left from the lube and oil service center at wal mart..
    There was no oil filter, or oil. My motor had only 44 thousand miles on it.

    • ANSWER:
      They will not put you up in a hotel. All they will do is pay for a new motor. The only way you will get paid for money that you are out of is to sue them. You should be saving every receipt. You should document every conversation you have with Wal-Mart. Take note of the time & the name of the person you talked to.
      If your losses aren't that great, you can sue them in small claims court. If your losses are multiple thousands, you may want to contact a lawyer. Chances are, however, that it will take about a week to repair so your losses should be somewhere between ,000 & ,000.

42. QUESTION:
    Is my motor insurance void after failing to give a breath test ?
    I have recently been convicted and banned from driving for failing to give a breath test. I crashed into a gate and caused damage to my car. My insurance company are refusing to pay out as they say I was drink driving and refer to there terms and conditions.

    After reading there terms and conditions there is nothing regarding failing to give a breath test, after all they are 2 different convictions.

    Can my insurance company legally refuse to pay out if nothing regarding failing to give a breath test is in the terms and conditions ?

    Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      YOU SHOULDN'T BEEN DRINKING AND DRIVING. THAT IS HOW PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED. Yes the insurance company can refused you claim. You were stupid and you shouldn't have been drinking and driving. Because of people like you my child who was a month old got killed. Now I have to live on without her, because of stupid idiots like you. I am glad that the insurance company refused your claim. Maybe you will learn from this mistake.

43. QUESTION:
    What is 'Motor Protection Plan Plus' on my car insurance?

    • ANSWER:
      You should be asking your insurance company this question, not us.

44. QUESTION:
    (UK) Car insurance. Is it worth paying the £20 to £30 extra for Motor Legal Protection?
    Is this actually worth paying for or is it just a fancy add-on which sounds important and worth having but is actually not?

    Someone told me that if you are involved in an accident which was not your fault.. then you could take it any of the masses of solicitors who advertise on tv and who do no win/no fee insurance work to seek compensation/damages from the other party's insurers.

    • ANSWER:
      Motor legal protection is an insurance policy against you having to pay solicitors and other costs in an, unsuccesfull, attempt to claim back uninsured losses from another driver.

      What are uninsured losses? These are losses that are not covered under your own insurance policy - typically the excess, and, if you don't have comprehensive cover, the damage to the vehicle. In addition there would be a claim for time off work, whiplash/ injuries. These losses have to be quantified and specialists paid for to work them out. Policies may also cover prosecution defence cover to defend you against being prosecuted and the better ones also include an accident management service so you can report any accident/ theft to them and they will help you with the whole claim.

      If you make a claim through a no-win, no-fee solicitor and win then there will obviously be a fee! This could be a percentage of the award typically 25% - and 25% of £10,000 is . . . You may also have to buy After The Event Insurance - which is a LOT more expensive than Before The Event.

      However there are two rubs (and the FSA is investigating the sale of ULR insurance because of it):

      1) Often the policy is sold and then your advisor passes the case onto a local firm of solicitors because they will be paid a referral fee.

      2) Many of the 'insurance' policies are not actually underwritten at all! Companies offer to do the work because they can claim costs from the third party and often hire-out cars

      As the policy is one of insurance you must receive a key facts/ policy summary before you take it out and your insurers must split the premium i.e. tell you how much it costs including IPT

      The Government have recently brought in registration of companies who 'ambulance chase' in an attempt to clear up the industry. An insurance broker that has a properly underwritten ULR scheme is exempt UNLESS they recommend firms to handle the claim.

      Finally - have a guess at the cost of the policy to the intermediary - you can always ask them how much commission they make! I would point out that if they did not earn money from the sale of ULR then they would have to increase their other fees. Personally I think that anything over £20.00 at the moment is a bit overpriced unless there are excellent benefits included.

45. QUESTION:
    Does car insurance pay for a bad engine or motor?

    • ANSWER:
      its possible "if" you can prove vandalism under regular auto insurance, or it could be covered under a manufactures extended warranty or covered under a after market policy you can purchase after the manufactures warranty ran out. but with "our" luck bro you are probably S. O. L.

46. QUESTION:
    Car damaged insurance company paid what are my options?
    My husband hit a pole. The insurance company paid me 2500 for damages. My car needs motor work not from the accident. What can I do can I just sell it and by a new car with the money or do I have to repair it . Please help I dont want to get in any trouble.

    • ANSWER:
      not at all love you wont get into trouble you are entitled to sell your car if you want.what i would do is advertise my car for sale at a reduced price saying it needs repairs. that gives anyone thinking of buying it a chance of evaluating the deal for themselfs if you sell and everyone is happy. put the money with the money you allready have and buy yourself a better car.,,,and happy and safe motoring.,,,,,kitt

47. QUESTION:
    Does you car registration address legally have to match the address of your motor vehicle insurance??
    I am looking at paying my car tax on line, and currently my addresses match, but soon they wont, is this legal or will I have to match them both?/..Please help...don't want to break the law!!!

    • ANSWER:
      yes they both have to match. when you move you have to notify the insurance company and the registration. not a problem you usually have a certain amount of days to notify both

48. QUESTION:
    If I have bought gap insurance for a new car, in case the car is totalled?
    Is that if the car is a total loss, Gap Insurance pays the difference between the motor insurance settlement and the value of your car.

    My query is that do I still get a 2nd new car and do not have to pay for it myself.

    • ANSWER:
      GAP cover pays the difference between the market value of the car and what the outstanding finace is and not a penny more. Not what you have said in the question.
      You get the market value of the car at the time from your basic cover.
      You then use this plus the amount from the GAP cover which will enable the outstanding finance to be cleared.

      You do not get a second new car for free. You then just start again and go buy yourself a new/used car with some new finance/money safe in the knowlege that the one that was totalled is paid off.

      The GAP cover is really to bridge the GAP at the times where what you will have left to pay on the loan is so much more than the value of the car at the time.

      Hope that clarifies it for you as you have clearly got the wrong end of the stick.

49. QUESTION:
    whether personal insurance is needed in car/ motor cycle if we have mediclaim?

    • ANSWER:
      Personal insurance is a separate ball game altogether while what i think that you have meant here is about personal accident insurance. If a person has mediclaim which is an insurance for hospitalisation he doesn't need to go for personal accident insurance policy since, the claim will be paid only once to him. Meanwhile there is no hard and fast rule to have personal accident insurance policy to name if you already have mediclaim.

50. QUESTION:
    Can a Car Mechanic work on a car that doesn't have car insurance?
    I was just wondering because the mechanic shop is looking for a motor for my car and I wanted to save some money while they are in that process. So I was just wondering if they will work on it or not.

    • ANSWER:
      They will work on any car if you have the money. Insurance isn't their problem