Car insurance
With the right car insurance cover, you can feel confident that you’re protected no matter what the road throws your way. We have partnered with Howden, the new name for A-Plan, to provide you with a personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding what exactly you want from your car insurance.
Why car insurance with Howden?
Benefits of working with Howden:
Rated excellent on Trustpilot
Tailored service not available on comparison websites
Opportunity to speak directly with your local broker
Support in the event of making a claim
Focused on saving you time, money, and hassle
Looking for something temporary or low mileage?
Whether you're looking for temporary student car insurance over the holidays or regular pay by mile insurance to borrow your parent's car throughout the year, we'll help you find the solution.
Car insurance: FAQs
We’ve answered your most frequently asked questions to help you choose the right cover for your road ahead.
To drive in the UK you legally need a minimum of third party car insurance in place. Most insurers will offer three levels of cover for car insurance – third party, third party fire and theft and comprehensive.
In a nutshell:
- Third party insurance will only cover damage to the other person’s car if you have an accident
- Third party, fire and theft covers the same as third party insurance, plus cover for fire and theft
- Comprehensive insurance provides cover for damage to both your car and the other person’s car, as well as additional covers - such as liability insurance, medical and legal expenses.
Next step: Choose what type of car insurance policy you need
Once you’ve chosen the level of cover you need, the next step is to decide which type of car insurance will give you the best deal, and there are lots of different types available.
For example, student car insurance, young driver insurance and temporary student car insurance.
Do your research to find out which car insurance policy is right for you and your budget.
With over 55 years’ experience in the education community, we get the importance of simple, flexible cover. The exact cover will differ slightly depending on your insurer, but most fully comprehensive car insurance policies will provide cover for:
- Injury that you may cause to others
- Injury to your passengers
- Damage to someone else’s car/property
- Accidental/malicious damage to your car
- Theft
- Fire damage
- And more
It’s a good idea to spend some time personalising your car insurance cover to make sure you’re protected for those unexpected situations - such as breakdowns, third party claims or simply losing your keys!
Optional extras will differ from insurer to insurer, but could include:
Legal expenses
If you have an accident that’s not your fault, this cover will provide legal representation for you and all named drivers on your policy to pursue recovery of costs not covered by your car insurance from the other driver. You'll also normally receive help to defend your legal rights if an accident leads to a motoring offence.
Excess protection
Some insurers may offer excess protection. This covers the reimbursement of a car insurance policy excess you have to pay following an accident, although please note that windscreen excesses are usually not included.
Key cover
Cover for replacing locks and keys for your car, home and office, including locksmith charges.
Enhanced personal accident cover
If you're injured in an accident, you may be left unable to work - either while you recover or permanently, dependent on the severity of your injuries. Enhanced personal accident cover will provide a specified lump sum which may provide immediate security in assisting with bills, medical costs and other expenses that may be incurred.
Hire car cover
If your car is written-off or stolen and not recovered, this cover will provide you with a car to use anywhere in the UK, usually for up to 21 days – although check your policy documents to be sure. Normally, all named drivers on your policy aged between 18-79 (with a full UK licence) will be able to use this car.
No Claims Bonus protection
No claims bonus can save you a significant amount on your car insurance each year, so why not protect it? NCB protection means you won’t lose your hard-earned bonus should you have an accident during the policy term.
It’s worth noting that there have been a number of changes to the EU driving rules since the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2020, so do your research before you travel.
You can find a full summary of the documents you’ll need to drive abroad post-Brexit here .
You’ll also need a green card to drive to some countries, so don’t forget to check the FCDO travel advice of the country you’re visiting.
There are lots of ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance quote - here are 5 top tips:
1. Take Pass Plus
Pass Plus is a 6 hour long driving course you can take once you’ve passed your driving test, and it helps new drivers build their confidence and improve their skills on the roads. Some insurers will offer a small discount on your premium for taking Pass Plus.
2. Increase your excess
Increasing your voluntary excess can sometimes reduce your premium. Just remember that you’ll need to pay both your compulsory and voluntary excess in the event of a claim, so you’ll want to make sure the combined amount is still affordable.
3. Pick a small engine
The type of car you drive can have a big impact on your car insurance premium. Choosing a car with a small engine and no modifications may help reduce the cost of your car insurance quote.
4. Drive safely
Reducing the cost of your car insurance can be as simple as driving safely and following the rules of the road. Your car insurance should naturally get cheaper each year as you build your No Claims Bonus, and avoiding speeding fines and other penalties will help to show insurers you’re a low risk driver.
We want you to have all the right information when picking your car insurance - so we've pulled together loads of handy guides that will hopefully start to answer any other questions you might have about car insurance - including what's covered, how it works and what you need to know about making a claim.
Explore our car insurance guide
Other useful articles:
- What is ghost broking?
- How do I calculate the value of my car?
- Am I covered to drive other cars?
- What is a named driver?