Finding the right car insurance – how complicated can it be? With so many insurers promising the best coverage at the lowest price, you’d think that getting a good deal is easy. But there’s no one size fits all policy, and you don’t just need any good deal – you need a deal that’s good for you.
The overwhelming amount of choice makes it difficult to know where to start – so let us run you through everything you need to know.
In general, there are three different types of motor insurance available: Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive.
This is the minimum level of cover available, and only covers injuries to the third party, their property, and any legal liabilities.
As an example, if you bumped into another car while reversing out of your drive, your insurance would payout for the damage inflicted on the other vehicle. It would not cover any dent or scratches on your own car.
If the driver of the other car accused you of more damage than you were aware of causing, it would also cover the dispute over liability or who’s at fault. Your insurance company will handle the negotiation and settle it on your behalf.
A level up from standard Third Party, this includes fire and theft in addition to the coverage explained above. So if your car catches fire or gets stolen, your insurance company should pay out to fix the damage or replace the vehicle.
This is the highest level of coverage, accounting for just about any damage that could happen to your vehicle. This could be accidental damage you cause yourself or vandalism inflicted by other parties.
An example of where this is useful is if you parked your car on the street, then returned to find it covered in scratches, but with no clear sign of what happened. You’d still be able to claim and recover the damage without paying out of your own pocket.
And that’s just one of many potential situations. However your vehicle gets damaged, and whoever’s to blame, a comprehensive policy will have you covered.
There are also a number of add-ons that could be worth considering. They’ll either lower your premium or further upgrade your coverage to tailor your financial protection to your perceived risk level. These are a few of the most common.
If you break down in the wrong place at the wrong time, short-term mechanical issues can feel just as crippling as more serious damage. Having breakdown assistance included in your policy makes the whole process a lot less stressful. You’ll have help just a call away, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The call-out cost will be covered, as well as mechanical assistance, towing if necessary, and other options should your car need to go to a garage.
This covers the breakage of front and back windscreens and side windows. This could be due to an accident or even just day to day driving – sometimes small stones can hit the windscreen and cause small cracks.
This means that anyone with your permission can drive your car.
This allows you to drive a different car that you don’t own.
Firstly, this will depend on the car you drive. If your car is only worth €2,000 and you have little attachment to it, it may not be worth paying through the roof for an all-inclusive policy. On the other hand, if you have a brand new, state of the art model, it could be in your best interest to protect against any unforeseen circumstances.
Your daily driving habits are also a big factor, such as the routes you drive and places you park. Then there’s your own personal level of risk tolerance. Some people would rather leave accidents to chance, and simply foot the cost when an unlikely incident arises. Others feel much more relaxed knowing that they have a comprehensive safety net to fall back on.
It’s worth noting that the highest level of coverage doesn’t necessarily come at the highest price. You might find that there’s not actually much of a cost difference between the options available, particularly between third party, fire and theft and comprehensive policies. In fact, sometimes the comprehensive option is cheaper. Insurance is all about perceived risk, and insurers have been known to see those seeking higher coverage as more responsible, resulting in a lower premium.
So when you start comparing car insurance, keep your options open. You could be surprised at what you can get for your money.
The easiest way to find the cheapest car insurance is by using a broker. This way, you’re able to browse quotes from a number of insurers at any one time and filter policies by your specific needs. At Campion Insurance, we work with 19 trusted insurance providers to get you the best selection of quotes, providing a variety of reliable options for you to consider in line with your requirements.
Also, remember that the cheapest insurance isn’t necessarily what’s best for you or your vehicle. Cutting corners could cause more harm than good should the unexpected happen.
To start your search, fill in our quote form. You’ll have all the options you need at your fingertips, with the ability to sort them according to your preferences.
