Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Car Insurance … a safety essential

For many people taking out car insurance can be a daunting task. Possibly their first thought is about what type of policy, level of cover, premium and company they should choose, and that’s even before deciding whether to go it alone with a telephone-based or internet company, agent or broker.

But take a step back and bear in mind that the insurance company or broker should be one that can offer the best professional advice, the right type of product for the individuals’ circumstances together with the most competitive price.Anyone who drives must know that they should be insured, because it’s a legal requirement. After all, it’s illegal to drive in Spain (as it is in England) without at least Third Party Insurance. Briefly, in terms of level of cover, Fully Comprehensive is possibly the most commonly contracted, and probably one that protects the insured the most. However, to go one step further one can take out Fully Comprehensive policy with Protected No Claims Bonus, meaning that the policy holder would not lose their bonus should they need to make up to a stipulated number of claims within an allotted period.
Regardless of whether one decides upon Fully Comprehensive, Third Party or one of the levels in between, the client will have to prove their right to No Claims Bonus (a reduction in insurance premium for having no insurance claims in a previous period), from their previous insurance company (most companies will accept bonus proof from a client’s home country).
Aside from the various levels of cover there are many other definitions, specific terms and conditions; all of which can be quite detailed and confusing. Many policies offer immediate cover, up to 65% no-claims discount, assistance and repairs service 24/7, legal assistance and a courtesy car. Further upgrades to complement standard cover can be included, such as roadside assistance 24/7, loss of keys, damage to personal items and luggage left in the vehicle, legal assistance and increased third party liabilities to include both compulsory and voluntary cover and public liability cover for pedestrians and cyclists. Some policies can even cover against loss of driving licence, points on your licence or fines. Nevertheless, as there are many options depending on individual requirements, it’s worthwhile discussing this further with the insurance company or your insurance broker.
Whatever type of company a client seeks to contract their insurance policy with, ensure it can offer the best professional advice on the right type of insurance product for their circumstances and at the most competitive price. It’s invaluable dealing with an established, experienced company that can offer products in English, with specialist departments with multi-lingual operators who can assist ‘international clients’ by phone, or face-to-face with one of their intermediaries, a company that can tailor-make policies to suit specific requirements and understands a client’s specific lifestyle. Basically, a company that can take the time to explain all the “ins-and-outs” in plain English and help guide the customer through the minefield that can be car insurance.

Car Insurance Source

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There is no "one-size-fits-all" car insurance, insurance is dependent on a number of circumstances. Young drivers should investigate the car insurance policies that they are considering and look for the policy that fits them.