Why do you need car insurance?

March 15, 2017
Jess

If you don’t yet have car insurance, you may be unaware of the many benefits of being insured. It’s easy to see insurance as just another bill to pay, but there are many reasons why you need to be covered.

Firstly, basic car insurance is a legal requirement. That means that if you’re following the law, you need to have insurance. But not all insurance options are created equal, and the right policy will cover you for a variety of different things.

Let’s face it- accidents happen, especially when you’re rushing to work in the rain, you’re tired after a long night, or you’re simply not paying attention for a split second. Good car insurance will give you peace of mind, since you know that you’re covered if your vehicle is damaged, if passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers or injured, or if you break someone’s property.

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Many people assume that car insurance automatically means high premiums, but this is not the case at all. Many different factors are taken into account when your premium is calculated. These include your vehicle type, since if you have a high-performance vehicle or a particularly expensive car you may have to pay more since your claim would also be for more. Your age will also impact your premiums, as younger drivers are statistically more likely to make an insurance claim, and your occupation will also be taken into account, as some jobs can cause your premium to rise.

You’ll usually be asked about how you use your vehicle- your mileage, and when you usually travel since those who travel within the busiest peak times may need to pay more. You’ll also need to be aware that your driving history is taken into account, and if you have any prior driving convictions, your insurance is likely to be affected.

Even your address is taken into account, since if you live in an area that has a high amount of vehicle crime, you may need to pay a higher premium.

In the UK, the minimum level of cover is third party insurance. This means that your vehicle won’t be covered, but if you have an accident you’ll be covered for injury to any passengers, as well as any damage you do to anyone else’s property.

You can also choose to have TPFT which is third party, fire and theft which also includes the theft of your vehicle, fire damage, or any damage caused to your car while it was being stolen.

Many people choose to have a comprehensive policy as this is the best for peace of mind. You’ll usually be covered for damage or loss to your vehicle, your personal effects, your vehicle’s windscreen, any accidental damage, along with medical expenses. The different things offered under a comprehensive policy will vary, which is why it pays to shop around and look at the options offered by www.chill.ie to see just what is included and how much you would need to pay for full coverage.