What is a Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy cover?

Comprehensive cover is when you cover your vehicle against most forms of damage that may occur to your vehicle. This doesn't mean you are covered for absolutely everything. If you look in depth into your comprehensive car insurance contract you'll probably find some significant exclusions.
We'll consider the potential policy exclusions later, now we’ll look at why this type of policy is referred to as ‘comprehensive’, you'll be surprised at some of events that are covered.

Hot Topics

What to do if you have an accident
In many circumstances you will not be able to prevent an accident, especially if the accident is not your fault. If you are involved in an accident, there are several steps you need to undertake.
How can I lower my Motor insurance premiums?
Many factors influence the premiums of your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote - some of which will affect your premium and some will not. To name a few of the important variables, the vehicle you drive, your gender and your age are all important to the insurer whilst they calculate your quote. Below we have discussed several of these key variables that are within the policyholder's control.
What are the road tax rates by specific type of vehicle?
The collection and administration of road tax is done by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). The DVLA is responsible for all regions of the UK. Their aim is to facilitate safe and responsible driving throughout the UK. In addition to road tax they are also responsible for keeping a registry of all vehicles and qualified drivers.
I am at the scene of an accident - what do I do?
Take note of the registration number of all vehicles involved within the accident.
As a result of the accident, my car has been damaged - can I go ahead and get it repaired?
If you have taken out comprehensive car insurance cover and wish to claim under the policy, a specific claims procedure will be given to you when you contact the Claims Line to notify them of the accident. You should not repair your vehicle without the approval of your insurer.
For example, you are covered if something falls off the back of a lorry and damages your vehicle. If you were to drive up or over a high kerb and cause damage to your tyres, you can be covered for that too.
Comprehensive cover also includes optional cover for your windscreen, which is not usually covered by a third party fire and theft insurance policy. Windscreen claims are often dealt with in a different manner to accidental damage and other forms of claim. They often have a separate excess fee because the potential damage is limited to the replacement cost of the whole windscreen.

Almost all car insurance policies feature exclusions relating to electrical and mechanical breakdowns, loss of the vehicles use and excess, amongst other things.

Your insurance policy also doesn't protect you from the maintenance costs of your vehicle, such as services and mot costs. So, you aren't covered for electrical or mechanical faults, the servicing for your Motor or general wear and tear. In addition your insurer will not cover you for what is considered to be normal wear and tear upon your vehicle.

The 'loss of use' concept defines whether or not you are entitled to a hire car or a courtesy car should you lose the use of your vehicle insured by the policy in question. This can be a very useful benefit on your policy but often costs extra so it is worth finding out if you get it for free or how much the cost is of adding it to your policy.

Your excess needs to be paid whenever you make a claim, regardless why or how the claim has come about. If you were not at fault the excess payment should be refunded to you by your insurance company.