Types of car insurance cover explained to ease the process of insuring your car.

Purchasing insurance for your vehicle can be an expensive and confusing ordeal if you are not aware of the services and products on offer.

This article will attempt to clarify the technical jargon that can bewilder consumers when looking to buy car insurance

Third party-only-cover:

This is the most basic of covers on offer and protects your liability for death or bodily injury to a third party, which includes people travelling in your vehicle. It also covers your liability for third party damage to someone’s property.

Third-party fire and theft cover:

This covers the same risks as third party only cover, but also for the risk of fire and theft in connection with your vehicle. This is in accordance with relevant insurance policy terms. Items in your vehicle will only normally be covered for a nominal amount, so add other items that are kept away from your home, to your house policy to make sure they are covered.

Comprehensive cover:

This includes third party theft and fire cover, plus loss or damage to your vehicle caused by an accident or by a malicious act.

Medical conditions:

Certain medical conditions or disabilities will need to be notified to an insurance company, as they may affect your ability to drive or any other named driver on the policy. If you have any medical condition, always inform the insurer before purchasing a policy if in doubt.

The following are examples of medical conditions that insurance companies should be made aware. They include:

• Attacks of fainting or blackouts
• Diabetes
• Epileptic seizures or fits
• Any visual disability
• If you have a pacemaker is fitted
• Severe mental handicap

Foreign use:

Most car insurance policies offered will provide the minimum legal cover to drive in any EU country. For full comprehensive cover to travel in the EU, a Green Card will be required, but this may be included free of charge.

Material facts:

These are bits of information that the insurer would consider as likely to influence the assessment and acceptance of the policy application. Always disclose facts that you are unsure if they are material or not. If these material facts are not disclosed to an insurance company, it can affect your cover.

Modifications:

This applies to vehicles that have had their engine, suspension or body work altered in any way. Any vehicle fitted with apparatus or special equipment will also fall into this category. All modifications need to be reported to your insurance company.