Every year we have to pay for insurance to legally drive our cars on the road, but what do we actually get for our money? Insurance pays out if we have a crash, but does it also cover repairs caused by wear and tear? We explain it all.

Does Insurance Cover Repairs?

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car through an accident (regardless of fault or how many parties are involved), theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters (such as floods or hail). It does not cover any part that failed due to age or normal usage.

If you only have third-party fire & theft, then your car repairs will not be covered in the event of a crash, it only covers damage or loss due to fire or theft, and any other cars involved (third parties).

How Do Car Insurance Companies Decide on Repairs?

After a road traffic collision, the insurer will either send an investigator or take your car away to be evaluated. The insurer will consider the level of damage, the age of the car and the mileage on the car, as to whether they consider it a write-off or not. 

Does it Matter Who's at Fault in an Insurance Claim?

Regardless of who’s at fault, if you have comprehensive cover, you will be compensated for your car and the costs of personal injuries. The fault only determines who's insurer ultimately pays for the repairs.

Types of Car Insurance Coverage

Not all insurance policies are equal, when buying you can select the level of coverage you need, there are three types of policies to pick from:

Third Party Insurance Cover

This is the minimum level of cover required by law to drive on the road in the UK. It covers any third parties in the event of a crash. This is used to cover costs for someone else’s vehicle or property, it also covers injuries to other people; both in other cars or your passengers. 

Third-party insurance does not cover your vehicle, or injury to yourself in any way. 

Third-party insurance is not commonly available, most insurers offer one of the other two cover levels explained below.

Third-Party Fire and Theft Insurance Cover

In addition to everything on a third-party-only policy; other people’s cars, property or personal injury, TPFT insurance, as it is commonly known covers your car in the event of theft or fire damage. 

This level of cover does not include damage to your car from an accident, nor personal injury sustained to you (the driver).

Comprehensive Insurance Cover

The highest level of cover, comprehensive cover includes everything from both third party and TPFT, plus damage to your own car, too. Regardless of fault, comprehensive cover will replace or reimburse you for damage to your vehicle, from a small scratch to a complete write-off. 

Comprehensive cover also includes accidental damage, such as scratches obtained whilst parking, or dinging your door on a wall.

When is Insurance Not Valid?

Insurers will not cover any damage or injury, regardless of the level of cover, for a number of reasons, these can include:

• Theft or damage through careless behaviour
• Driving without a licence
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• When someone not named on the policy is driving

Car Insurance Claim Examples

Example 1: You crashed into another car

Scenario: You caused an accident - this could be through moving from your lane on a roundabout, pulling out on a car at a junction, or colliding with a slower car in front whilst in traffic.

With Comprehensive Insurance: If you are deemed to be at fault, your comprehensive insurance will cover the repairs to both vehicles and any personal injuries caused. 

With TPFT Insurance: Any third parties will claim through your insurance to recoup the costs of the incident, including car repair, hire of a car in the interim, and any personal injury claims.

Example 2: An accident where both parties are at fault - 50/50 split liability claim

Scenario: Another car is reversing out of a parking space, and you collide with them. Both parties could have prevented the accident. It is decided between the insurers that liability is to be split 50/50.

With Comprehensive Insurance: Your car and any injuries to persons in it (including you) will be covered fully, with 50% coming from your insurer and 50% from the third party.

With TPFT Insurance: 50% of the costs of the accident to your car and persons will be covered from the other party’s insurance, and your insurance will cover 50% of the third party’s costs, but none of yours.

Repairing your Car With Bumper

If your insurance isn’t covering the cost of repairs, or your car needs maintenance or mechanical work, using Bumper’s zero-interest repair finance is a great way to spread the cost over many months. Find your nearest Bumper partner here.