Ensure reassurance of insurance

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All policies are not the same, so choose the best policy for your circumstances.Picture / Getty Images

All policies are not the same, so choose the best policy for your circumstances.Picture / Getty Images

YOU MAY NEVER HAVE A CRASH, BUT BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST

We all have regrets and moments where we suddenly realise we could have saved ourselves a substantial amount of trouble if we’d just put a bit more consideration into our decisions in the first place. 

It’s impossible to predict the future and sometimes random crashes can be huge inconveniences. However, we can be prepared, which can make a world of difference.
Take car insurance for example. We don’t really like parting with our money as it is, and if you’ve never made a claim, it can often leave you with the feeling of: well, what’s the point? But if something happens to our beloved vehicle — oh, how we wish we had car insurance to fall back on.

Some of us learn the hard way when we’re younger and don’t really think about the benefit of putting money aside to cover the cost of insurance. Crashing when you’re uninsured can leave you with a lot of expenses to be able to get your car back on the road again. If you have insurance and you get caught up in an crash, not only will it help out on costs, it’ll also give you peace of mind as your insurance company will generally do all the running around for you.

Depending on what type of coverage you have, car insurance can also protect you against many other factors — not just crashes with other vehicles. Some policies protect your car if it’s been stolen or damaged outside of a crash. Sometimes they’ll provide roadside assistance and the benefit of towing free of charge. As part of your insurance you may also get legal liability cover, which means if you’re at fault in an accident your insurer will cover you.

If you have a crash with an uninsured vehicle, depending on the policy you have, you may still be covered. It’s always worth checking, especially if you have a third-party policy because if the crash was your fault, your insurance will only pay out for the damage on the other vehicle. If the crash wasn’t your fault, with third party cover it’s likely you’ll get nothing, unless you can successfully identify the driver who caused the crash and they admit they were at fault.

There are various types of cover. But, no matter what you choose — whether it’s third-party, fire-and-theft or comprehensive — make sure you're selecting the best policy that’s right for you.

If you're driving a vehicle that’s 20 years old with dents and scratches, you may find you don't need comprehensive cover as it’ll probably be cheaper to buy another vehicle rather than spend the cash on repairs. If you're driving a brand new sports car, you’ll probably want full cover as repairs may be expensive.

If you’re in a crash and it was your fault, you’re responsible for all damages caused. If you’re uninsured, the costs will come out of your pocket and it could ruin you financially, especially if you’re unfortunate enough to have an incident with a Lamborghini.

So, make sure you’ve got yourself covered.

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