INTRODUCTION
Vehicle insurance
(also known as car insurance or motor insurance) is insurance purchased for
cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to
provide financial protection against physical damage and/or bodily injury
resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise
there from. The specific terms of vehicle insurance vary with legal regulations
in each region. To a lesser degree vehicle insurance may additionally offer
financial protection against theft of the vehicle and possibly damage to the
vehicle, sustained from things other than traffic collisions.
You need motor insurance when you buy a
motor vehicle. Motor insurance covers your vehicle, be it a motorcycle, a car
or a lorry, in case of accidents or theft.
There are three common types of
motor insurance available: third party;
third party, fire and theft; and comprehensive cover. The level of your
coverage dictates what you can claim if your vehicle sustains loss or damages.
History
A compulsory car
insurance scheme was first introduced in the United Kingdom with the Road
Traffic Act 1930. This ensured that all vehicle owners and drivers had to be
insured for their liability for injury or death to third parties whilst their
vehicle was being used on a public road. Germany enacted similar legislation in
1939.
Public
policies
In many jurisdictions
it is compulsory to have vehicle insurance before using or keeping a motor
vehicle on public roads. Most jurisdictions relate insurance to both the car
and the driver, however the degree of each varies greatly.
Several jurisdictions
have experimented with a "pay-as-you-drive" insurance plan which is
paid through a gasoline tax (petrol tax). This would address issues of
uninsured motorists and also charge based on the miles (kilometers) driven,
which could theoretically increase the efficiency of the insurance, through
streamlined collection.
When it
comes to buying a policy, always:
·
Check the
market value price of your vehicle. If it is a new vehicle, the insured value
will be the purchase price.
·
Ensure
that your vehicle is adequately insured as it will affect the amount you can
claim.
·
Give all
material facts about your vehicle, including previous accidents (if any),
modification to engines,etc. When in doubt, it is best to ask your insurance
company.
HOW MUCH
SHOULD I COVER?
Make sure that the
amount covered in your motor insurance certificate reflects the market value of
your vehicle and not any other value to avoid over-insurance or
under-insurance. You may check the market value of your vehicle
HOW DO I
MAKE A CLAIM?
If you are involved in
a motor accident and have a comprehensive cover, you may either make an own
damage claim or a third party claim. There are different procedures involved.
Inform your insurance company immediately and act according to their instructions.
You may need to send your damaged vehicle to an approved workshop. You may
check for the list of approved workshops from your insurance company. Make sure
you send all relevant documents to support your claim to your insurance company
as soon as possible.
CANCELLIN
YOUR POLICY:
·
You may
cancel your motor insurance policy at any time by notifying your insurance
company in writing, inclusive of the date you want to stop the policy.
·
It is a
good idea to have a new policy in place before cancelling your previous one so
there is no gap in between coverage.
·
·
Insurance
companies also generally offer a refund premium based on how old your current
insurance policy may be, the newer it is when you cancel it, the more refund
you will receive.