Car insurance

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.

• Scenario: You’re a new driver trying to save during those first few years while you build up your No Claims Bonus. Black box insurance could help you save money at renewal, just by driving safely.
• Scenario: You’re a student heading home to your parents for the weekend and want to borrow their car for a couple of days. Temporary student car insurance will let you take out cover for the exact length of time you need it, from 7 to 28 days. Alternatively, if you have your own car you may be able to access extra discounts on your RAC breakdown cover by taking out 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 at an affordable price. Our comprehensive car insurance policy will provide cover for:

• Loss of, or damage to, your car, including any spare parts or accessories
• Up to £100 cover for personal effects (whilst they are in or on your car)
• 24-hour windscreen and glass replacement
• Replacement car included as standard in the event of an accident
• Cover anywhere in the European Union for up to 90 days
• Audio and navigation equipment which is fitted to your vehicle
• Your legal liability to other people up to £20 million for loss and damage to property and £5 million for legal costs and expenses per incident
• Personal accident benefit up to £2,000
• Medical expenses for you and your passengers, up to £100 for each injured person

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! Personalise your policy with optional extras such as:  

RAC breakdown cover

Make sure you don’t get stuck on the side of the road with a choice of four levels of breakdown cover from RAC, with extra discounts for students. Each cover option will fix your car at the roadside if you are over a quarter of a mile away from home, or take you to a nearby garage. There are no call-out or mileage charges.

If you've never broken down before and you're not sure what to expect, find out more about what to do if you breakdown.

Legal expenses

If you have an accident that’s not your fault, this cover will provide up to £100,000 for 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 receive help to defend your legal rights if an accident leads to a motoring offence.

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 not included. You can claim as many times as required up to your chosen coverage limit of either £300, £500 or £750 for each excess paid.

What is an excess?

Key cover

Keys are incredibly easy to lose, but can be surprisingly expensive to replace. Key cover provides up to £2,500 for replacing locks and keys for your car, home and office, including locksmith charges. You’ll also receive up to three days of emergency car hire or the option to reclaim the cost of onward transport if your car keys are lost or stolen.

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 for up to 21 days. All named drivers on your policy aged between 18-79 (with a full UK licence) will be able to use this car and you will be covered for up to two claims per policy.

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.

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. Black box insurance

Having a black box installed to monitor your driving could result in cheaper premiums, just for driving well.

Find out more about black box car insurance.

5. 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.