Your Guide To Supermini Insurance Options In The Uk

By Author: Anthony Blascara
Total Articles: 13
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My previous article titled ‘Your Guide on Going Green With a Supermini’ introduces you to why it has now become one of the most popular cars on UK roads. Easy to park, great on fuel economy and kinder on CO2 emissions, the supermini is a great choice when it comes to reliable transport.



Once you’ve chosen the supermini that strikes your fancy, and have hunted down a good retailer offering a fair price, the next important step is to sort out the insurance cover.



In the UK, it is a mandatory legal requirement for all vehicle owners to have at least third party insurance against liabilities.



Thus, the following guide will outline in easy terms the insurance options you have to choose from in the UK, so that you can enjoy driving your supermini with peace of mind.



Act Only



This is the bare minimum in compulsory insurance to make your supermini legal on public roads. It purely covers third party liability, so it would not protect you against accidents that involve damage to property for example. ...
... To be honest, this insurance is only advisable for people who are unable to obtain other forms of cover, such as because of a bad driving record.



Third Party



This type of cover will protect you when driving on both private and public property or roads. In addition to third party claims that may arise, it also covers damage to property and legal liabilities such as passenger indemnity. What this means is if your passenger opens your car door and knocks over a cyclist, you will be covered. You'll also be insured for legal costs.



Third Party Fire and Theft



This option offers the same protection as third party insurance, but also includes added cover for damage or loss caused by fire as well as attempted or actual theft. This would be a good choice if you have an older car that doesn’t need full blown protection as it will be cheaper than comprehensive cover.



Comprehensive



This type of car insurance offers the same protection as the three types listed above, plus it will protect you against accidental damage. This means your supermini will be repaired by the insurer if it suffers any kind of damage, not just damage resulting from theft or fire.



It must be said however that while it is listed as ‘comprehensive’, this insurance option will not cover you against all the risks you could face. For this reason, there are a number of add-ons that you can include into the four main policy types that I’ve listed.



Insurance Extras



The most common types of cover extras you can add to your standard insurance policy are as follows:



Personal Accident


Cover for if you should suffer injuries such as loss of sight or a limb, as well as (in the worst case) death. It also includes medical treatment for people travelling in your supermini.



Breakdown


Breakdown cover is a very handy insurance addition to opt for since it can really make the difference if your car ever packs up in the middle of nowhere. It will cover you against the costs of roadside assistance and recovery of your vehicle if you breakdown.



Courtesy or Hire


With this type of cover addition, a courtesy or hire vehicle will be paid for by your insurer in cases where you're unable to use your car because of an accident, repairs or theft.



Payment Protection


By choosing to add Payment Protection to your insurance package, your regular monthly or annual premiums will be covered in you end up in a situation where you can't pay them, such as if you suffer from an illness, accident or employment redundancy.



Limited Mileage


This means that by committing to a maximum limit of miles per year, you can reduce your motor insurance costs.



Windscreen


Insuring your windscreen might sound frivolous, but bear in mind that if it get’s cracked or broken, the cost is not as minor as one would assume.



Driving Abroad


Some providers offer extended cover that also keeps you protected when driving within the EU.



Multiple Vehicle or Driver


With this insurance extra you can either protect more than one vehicle or name more than one driver to be covered in the same policy.



Additional Legal Expense


Here you’ll be helped if you want to making a legal claim against another party, such as if you intend on reclaiming your policy excess or the costs incurred by damage to possessions in your vehicle, travel expenses, compensation for injuries and loss of earnings.



Voluntary Excess


If you choose to pay a larger excess in the event of a claim, you can significantly lower your monthly or annual premium amounts.



No Claims Bonus Protection


This will allow you to prevent your No Claims Bonus from being reduced or removed if it turns out that you do need to make a claim.



Conclusion



The above information clarifies the types of insurance you can opt for here in the UK, so that you can make the right choice to give you snappy supermini the guaranteed protection it deserves.



About the Author: Anthony Blascara is the owner of car mechanic business and supermini fan.