Compulsory for all land vehicles equipped with an engine, car insurance helps prevent the risks associated with driving a car. Faced with the multitude of insurance offers, it is important to base your choice on specific criteria. Here are the points that should guide you in finding the car cover that suits you best.
Compare car insurance prices
Choosing insurance coverage for your vehicle is usually more complicated than it seems. Many drivers tend to limit their choice to the first offer thinking they are getting a good deal. However, there are various ways to find the formula best suited to your driver profile and your budget. However, online comparators remain the best solution. They offer you the possibility of choosing from a ranking of several car insurance policies , the contract that suits you perfectly .
Free, without obligation and fast, the comparator allows you to access the best car insurance coverage in just a few clicks. To make a simulation, most of the time, you just need to fill out an online form. This is generally some information about you and the vehicle to be insured:
- current auto insurance policy if you have one,
- driver’s license,
- the gray card of the vehicle to be insured,
- the latest information report…
The tool will then take care of offering you the list of the most advantageous offers on the market according to your driver profile and the condition of your vehicle. You can then compare each quote in order to subscribe to the contract that suits you.
Decide what type of coverage you need
There are three main types of coverage in terms of auto insurance.
Simple third-party hedging
This is the basic cover. Also called civil liability cover, this is the mandatory minimum to which every motorist must subscribe to drive legally. This is the least expensive formula. Therefore, its coverage level is the lowest. It only covers material and bodily damage that the driver is likely to cause to others with the insured vehicle.
Extended third coverage
The extended third-party guarantee takes into account the civil liability guarantee, and may also include other guarantees such as:
- broken glass ,
- fire,
- flight,
- natural and technological disasters…
The extended third-party warranty generally offers good value for money. It is particularly to be preferred if you have a vehicle with a high Argus rating and a fairly limited insurance budget.
All risk insurance
This is the most comprehensive and protective coverage of auto insurance warranties. It allows you to be compensated for all damage to your vehicle, regardless of the nature of the claim, and regardless of your liability as the driver.
If your vehicle has a significant value at the Argus, and if your budget allows it, do not hesitate to opt for all-risk insurance. It will essentially allow you to minimize losses in the event of a disaster. It is also the essential option if you still have a credit in the process of being repaid on the vehicle.
Consider your driving habits
It is important to consider your driving habits when choosing your car coverage. Your main daily route or your annual mileage are all parameters to consider. For example, for a seasoned driver who usually drives short distances, car insurance by the kilometer can be a very good option from an economic point of view.
Insuring a vehicle that travels more than 40,000 km per year is much more expensive than insuring a car that only travels on weekends. Generally speaking, car coverage per kilometer can save you between 5 and 30% on the cost of conventional car insurance. Where you usually park can also be a determining factor in choosing your car coverage. Indeed, in some places more than others, the risk of theft or vandalism can be very high.
Check the reputation of your car insurer
Notoriety and credibility are points that you should not overlook when choosing your insurer. With the ever-increasing number of insurance companies, it is essential to be well informed before you start. To find the best insurers in terms of notoriety, it will be best to direct you to reputable companies that have proven experience in car insurance.
In order to guide you in your choice, do not hesitate to consult customer reviews on specific sites. Word of mouth can also help guide you. These include your loved ones’ customer experience with a specific company. However, you should exercise caution against insurers who put forward overly attractive car insurance offers.
Check the financial stability of the company
Before taking out car insurance from an insurer, it may be essential to check the financial stability of the company. The index that can help you is the solvency ratio of the company . This is an indicator expressed as a percentage. It aims to reassure savers about the good financial health of the company.
It is important that the solvency ratio is at least 100%. An insurer with a good solvency ratio is an important guarantee that protects you from unpleasant surprises. This means that the company is able to anticipate large-scale financial crises that could jeopardize its finances, and therefore your contributions.
Insurer reimbursement deadlines
Reimbursement times in the event of a claim vary depending on several factors. However, note that for certain cases of damage, the Badinter law has clearly set deadlines.
Property damage
For material damage, the insurer has the obligation to make you a reimbursement proposal within a maximum period of 3 months after the declaration of the accident . However, note that this case of disaster generally requires the assessment of the damage by an expert whose time limit is not fixed by law. Most of the time, the visit of the expert occurs in the week or in the fortnight following the declaration.
Injury
In the case of bodily injury, the company has a maximum of 8 months to make you a compensation proposal. The delay here is longer because it is important to allow time for the accident victim’s health to evolve in order to accurately determine the severity of the injury. In general, it is the medical report that will allow the company to compensate you appropriately.
Theft Auto
For theft situations, the reimbursement period is fixed in the contract. In general, it is a month with the expectation that the vehicle will be found. If the latter is found after the one-month period and the compensation has already been paid, the insured will have three options. He can take back his vehicle and return the amount reimbursed or keep it and leave the vehicle with the insurer.
Natural disasters
This category of damage concerns all damage caused by water, storms, earthquakes, snow avalanches, landslides, etc. In one of these cases, the insurer must make your first payment within a maximum period of time . 2 months after the declaration of the disaster or after the publication of the interministerial decree recognizing the state of natural disaster.
At the latest within 3 months following one of the declarations, the entire amount announced must have been paid. To assess the damage suffered by the car, the company can appoint an expert who will estimate the cost of the repairs. The expert report will serve as a basis for the insurer to offer you appropriate compensation.
The amount of the insurance deductible
One of the points of extreme importance in the choice of an insurance policy remains the deductible. Provided for by all insurance contracts, it represents the amount remaining payable by the insured in the event of a claim.
In practice, it can be absolute or relative. The absolute deductible indicates an amount that will be systematically subtracted from the compensation in the event of a claim. This means that you will only be compensated if the amount of damage is greater than your deductible. In other words, if the deductible is €250 and your loss is estimated at €100, you will receive nothing. If the damage is assessed at €300, only the difference, i.e. €50, will be paid to you.
The relative deductible is that which determines the intervention of the insurer according to the cost of the repairs. If the amount of damage is less than the value of the deductible, the company will not compensate you. Otherwise, you will be fully refunded. For example, for a deductible set at €250, you will receive nothing if your claim is assessed at €200. On the other hand, for a claim of €300, you will be fully reimbursed.
Also, note that the amount of the deductible is closely linked to the insurance premium . The higher it is, the less premium you will pay and vice versa. It is therefore an element on which you can play to lower the cost of your insurance. If you know you are careful behind the wheel, don’t hesitate to negotiate an increase in the amount of your car insurance deductible with a premium reduction as a result.
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