A comprehensive guide to car insurance in the UK: How does an MOT affect insurance?

Car insurance is an essential document for car owners, regardless of where they reside. In the UK, too, a car insurance policy is important; without it, you can be fined up to £300! Plus, the financial burden that comes with an accident is often overbearing for most car owners. MOT Due Reminder: This is why car insurance can protect you against such financial losses with a one-time investment. If you have been searching for insurance policies for your car, this guide is for you. Find out all that you need to know about buying four-wheeler insurance in the UK so you can enjoy relaxed drives. 

What is car insurance?

Car insurance is a safeguard for drivers from financial losses. If something goes wrong, like you face an accident or collision, it helps cover the costs. In the UK, it is a legal requirement for your car to have at least basic car insurance before driving on public roads. There are, however, typically three types of car insurance. Let’s look at them in greater detail in the next section. 

What are the types of car insurance? 

In the UK, you can select from the three commonly available car insurance types. Each of them offers particular benefits, and you can select them based on your needs: 

1. Third-party only: A third-party insurance is the minimum policy legally required in the UK. It offers coverage of damage or injury you cause to other people, their vehicles, or property. However, it will not cover any damage to your car or your bodily injuries. 

2. Third-party, fire, and theft: This insurance type includes everything in third-party only, plus it covers your car if it has been stolen or damaged by fire. This offers the added advantage of covering your financial losses in the event of theft or damage due to fire.

3. Comprehensive: As the name suggests, this is the most comprehensive coverage. It includes third-party damage, theft, and fire. Plus, it also covers damage to your car, even if the accident was your fault.

How do the MOT and car servicing affect insurance?

If you have been delaying your MOT testing, your car insurance can become invalid. This means if you are in an accident, your insurer may refuse to pay out, leaving you to cover all costs. Plus, driving without an MOT is illegal and can result in fines. Here is how you can ensure that your car has valid insurance: 

• Schedule regular MOT tests: Ensure that you complete your car’s MOT testing on time. This includes testing annually after your car is three years old. For regular testing, set the MOT due reminder from the official UK website. 

• Maintain regular servicing: Regular services are important for your car’s smooth functioning. Plus, it affects your car insurance indirectly, too. Without regular services, your car can fail the MOT test, leading to invalid car insurance. 

• Check the insurance policy: A major mistake that most car owners make is not knowing about their car insurance’s validity. Understand your insurance coverage and ensure that it remains valid.

• Keep records: Maintain all documentation of your MOT certificates and service history. Records of every test and service might help you in getting an insurance policy at lower costs.

How to get car insurance in the UK? 

Now that you are familiar with the basics of car insurance, let’s look at how you can purchase car insurance in the UK. The following are some simple steps to get insurance: 

• Collect information: The first step to getting a fair deal on insurance policies is collecting all details. This includes information about your car, its model, manufacturing year, and even your details.

• Compare the policies: Check out the different insurance providers to compare what they are offering. Check if the prices are worth the benefits you are experiencing from the policy. 

• Choose a policy: Select the insurance policy for your car that best fits your needs and budget. 

• Purchase the policy: After deciding on the right insurance policy for your car, you can purchase it through different methods. Nowadays, you can get your car insurance policy online, in person, or even over the phone. 

• Receive the documents: After completing your purchase, you will receive the documents confirming your coverage. Keep these documents handy while travelling to avoid penalties and fines.

  
  

How to choose the right insurance? 

The process of purchasing an insurance policy for your car is simple. However, the hassle comes when you need to choose the right insurance for your car. In such situations, you can follow these essential tips to get the right insurance: 

• Consider your needs: To get the right insurance policy, you need to consider the value of your car. You also need to think about your driving habits to assess the risk factor because the insurance usually depends on it.

• Check for discounts: Some insurance providers might offer you discounts for safe driving or for having no previous claims. Check these discounts before finalising the deal. 

• Understand the terms: Finally, make sure that you know and understand what is covered and what is not covered in your insurance policy. 

  
  

Understanding car insurance is important to ensure that you feel protected while driving on the road. Ensure appropriate coverage before driving so you can prevent the burden of financial losses during an unfortunate situation. Enjoy peaceful drives with the right insurance coverage for your car.