Does my car insurance cover theft?
Does my car insurance cover theft?
Summary
Car insurance can cover theft, but it depends on the type of policy you have and whether the vehicle was properly secured. Claims may be refused if the keys were left in the car, the vehicle was not locked, or it was parked somewhere not declared on the policy. As long as you follow the policy conditions and take sensible security measures, you should be protected if your car is stolen.
Many of us rely on our cars as our main form of travel. If our cars were to suffer damage or get stolen, it can cause a number of travel headaches in situations like picking up children from school or commuting to work.
This is where we rely on our car insurance providers to replace our cars with a courtesy car or a replacement if it is irreversibly damaged.
How can you keep your car safe from theft or damage?
There are many different ways you can keep your vehicle less prone to theft, including:
- Parking on your driveway instead of the street or secluded areas
- Alternatively, park your car in a locked garage if you have one
- Making sure all doors are closed properly and are locked
- Don’t keep anything of value inside your car (especially at night)
- If your car has a keyless entry feature, keep your key in a metal pouch to reduce the risk of thieves mimicking your key’s signal
- Add an immobiliser to your car’s steering wheel when you aren’t using it
- If you are selling your car, and a potential buyer wants to test drive the car, always accompany them
- Fit a tracking device to your car so that you can find out its location if it is stolen.
Will my car insurance policy cover car theft and damage?
In most cases, your insurance provider will cover your car if it is stolen or damaged.
However, in some cases where you haven’t made efforts to secure your car, your claim may be denied.
For example:
- You have left your keys in the ignition
- You have left your windows down
- You have handed the keys to someone wanting to test drive your car before buying it
- Your car hasn’t been left in the place you stated when you applied for your car insurance
I already have a car insurance policy
If you already have car insurance and would like to check your policy details, please call our office or pop in to see us and we will be happy to go through the coverage your policy provides.
I need a car insurance policy
If you don’t currently have car insurance or you are looking for a more suitable policy for your vehicle, visit our car insurance page to find out more about what we cover and to get a free quote.
Get in touch
To get in touch with the CDC Insurance team, you can fill in the form below. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call on 01843 861251 or email us via enquiries@cdc-insurance.co.uk
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What invalidates car insurance?
What invalidates car insurance?
Avoiding Car Insurance Invalidations
Having a car accident or incurring damage to your vehicle can be stressful. But car insurance will have your car covered, as long as the information you provided to your insurance company is accurate and up to date. Below are some examples of what could invalidate your care insurance policy.
The car you drive
Car modifications: Some car owners like to make improvements to their vehicles. But it can invalidate your insurance if you don’t tell your insurance provider. Here are some examples of car modifications that could effect your car insurance price:
- Expensive radio/sound system: If expensive technology is visible through your car’s windows, it creates a greater amount of risk of your car being broken into.
- Engine & body work upgrades: If you upgrade your engine or body work, which can be expensive, this will make repairing your car expensive too.
You need to inform your insurance provider of these changes so that they can adjust your policy’s price to accommodate for them.
Your personal information
Occupation: Your job could affect the price of your insurance, as some occupations are considered riskier than others. So if you do change your job completely or even just get a promotion at your current job, you need to keep this information up to date with your insurance provider. This will reduce the risk of your insurance becoming invalid.
Where you live: The area you live in and where you park your car during the day or night can also have an effect on your insurance price. Some areas of the UK have higher crime rates, which means your care is more likely to incur damage if you live in these areas. Keep this information updated with your insurance provider, so that you can make a claim without running into issues.
Note: Your home isn’t always “where you live”, some people have multiple properties or study away at a university. Your primary address is where you spend most of your time.
How you use your car
Primary driver: When you lie about who the primary driver is, it’s called fronting. Fronting refers to a fraudulent practice in car insurance where someone misrepresents the main driver of a vehicle to obtain a lower insurance premium.
Yearly mileage: The more you drive the more likely you are to experience some kind of car accident. So when you inform your insurance provider of your predicted annual mileage, be as accurate as possible.
What you use your car for: Insurance companies need to consider what you are using your care for. For example, some policyholders may be using their car for commuting, and others may only use their car for social outtings. But if you use your car for commercial use, like delivery driving, standard car insurance won’t cover that. You will need commercial car insurance.
Which insurance policy is right for you?
Get in touch with the CDC Team below for advice and guidance:
E: 01843 861251
T: enquiries@cdc-insurance.co.uk
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What does protecting your no claims mean?
What Does Protecting Your No Claims Mean? A Complete Guide to Protected No Claims Discounts
Quick Answer: A Protected No Claims Discount (PNCD) is an optional car insurance add-on that allows you to make a certain number of at-fault claims without losing your accumulated No Claims Bonus (NCB). While it protects your discount percentage, it does not guarantee that your base insurance premium won’t increase at renewal.
What is a Protected No Claims Discount?
A Protected No Claims Discount is a type of optional add-on designed to safeguard your No Claims Bonus. If you have spent years building up your NCB, this extra cover acts as a safety net for your insurance premiums.
In the event of an accident where you are at fault, having this protection means your discount remains intact, allowing you to maintain the financial benefits of your safe driving history.
Need To Check Your Car Insurance Policy?
If you need advice or guidance on protecting your No Claims Bonus, get in touch with the CDC Team today.
Call us on 01843 861251 or email us at enquiries@cdc-insurance.co.uk
How Does a No Claims Bonus (NCB) Work?
Insurance companies reward their customers each year they drive safely and abstain from making a claim. This reward, known as a No Claims Bonus, builds up annually and translates into a significant percentage discount on your overall insurance premium.
This system serves two primary purposes:
- Incentivises Safe Driving: It encourages policyholders to drive responsibly to protect their discount.
- Reduces Accidents: By promoting cautious driving habits, it naturally reduces the overall risk of accidents on the road.
Does Protecting Your NCB Stop Your Premium from Increasing?
A common misconception is that protecting your No Claims Discount prevents your insurance premium from rising after a claim. This is not the case.
When considering protecting your No Claims Discount, it is crucial to understand that it only protects the discount percentage, not the base price of your policy. Each year, your core insurance pricing can increase for a variety of reasons, regardless of whether you have a Protected No Claims Discount.
Your insurance policy premium is subject to many different factors, including:
- Market Trends: Inflation and industry-wide increases in the cost of vehicle repairs.
- Personal Circumstances: Moving to a new address, changing your occupation, or adding a new driver to your policy.
- Vehicle Modifications: Adding aftermarket parts or changing the performance specifications of your car.
- Claim History: Even with protection, logging a claim alters your risk profile, which can increase your base premium before the discount is applied.
What Isn’t Covered by NCB Protection?
It is important to recognize the limitations of this coverage. The protection offered by a Protected No Claims Discount generally only applies to the policyholder’s own at-fault claims up to a specified limit (usually one or two claims within a set period).
In most cases, it will not protect you from the consequences of:
- Being involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.
- Hit-and-run incidents where the other party fails to admit liability or cannot be identified.
- Making more claims than your specific protection policy allows within a given year.
Is a Protected No Claims Discount Worth It?
While a Protected No Claims Discount provides valuable peace of mind, it is not universally cost-effective for every driver.
Most insurance providers charge a small additional premium to add this protection, which slightly increases your overall insurance costs upfront. When deciding if this coverage is right for you, you should carefully weigh:
- The Value of Your NCB: Protecting 1 or 2 years of NCB might not be worth the fee, whereas protecting 5 to 10+ years is highly valuable.
- Your Driving History: Consider your daily commute, the roads you frequent, and your historical likelihood of being involved in minor collisions.
- The Cost of the Add-on: Compare the additional cost of the protection against the potential financial loss of resetting your NCB to zero.
Need Advice on Your Car Insurance Policy?
Navigating insurance jargon and finding the most cost-effective coverage can be difficult. If you need advice or guidance on whether protecting your No Claims Bonus is the right move for your specific situation, we are here to help.
Get in touch with the CDC Team today:
T: 01843 861251
E: enquiries@cdc-insurance.co.uk
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