Car insurance glossary - Jargon & tips

UK road law

The Road Traffic Act requires motorists to have car insurance against liability for injuries or damage. You are comitting an offence driving any car or allowing others to drive without it.

No Claims Bonus (NCB)

Your no-claims discount goes up year after year, if you haven't crashed. It goes up to 65% after six years and is transferable. Some car insurers offer a discount to protect premiums.

Compulsory Excess

This is the first part of a claim that you must pay yourself. It varyies between companies - always consider when comparing quotes.

Voluntary excess

This is an additional (on top of the Compulsory excess) that you may to choose to pay to drop your insurance premium. This can be a difficult decision.

Car Insurance Bands

Car Insurers rate cars on a scale of 1 to 20 dependant on a few factors such as price, ease of repair, chance of being stolen, engine size, cost of parts etc. A Fiat Panda would be group 1 whilst a Porsche would be group 20. Premiums vary and are worth looking at when changing your car.

Insuring Other Drivers

The more drivers who have access to your car, the more expensive the premium. Named drivers on the policy generally should save you money, if they are older and more experienced.

Garaged, Alarmed, Cooler car higher the premiums... typically

The better the car, the more attractive it is to thieves and joy-riders. Always expect to pay more for car insurance in this case. Shop around to get a great deal even if its a hothatch or performance vehicle.

Buying cover

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