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General Car Insurance

Accident, Loss and Claims History

 

Where having years of claims free driving experience helps lower your premium, having a string of accidents and claims on record will result in a higher premium. The reasons for this are reasonably straightforward, statistically drivers with a higher incidence of claims will continue to do so, thus cost the insurer more.

 

It’s important to disclose all accidents and losses, even if you did not make a claim as the insurer may check the Claims Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database to check if you have had any claims with other insurers.

 

All named drivers on the policy must also disclose any claims or driving convictions, usually within the last five years, although many insurers ignore up to two speeding or parking offences.

 

However, you should disclose all convictions for five years after the date of conviction (not the date of the offence), even though your licence may now be clean. Its also important to note that a conviction with a custodial sentence of more than two and a half years is never classed as ‘spent’.

 

Your Health

 

Some health conditions e.g. epilepsy, certain heart conditions etc, must be notified to the DVLA. When the DVLA are noted of a condition, they will take steps to consider the drivers health and may request a medical report. If they are satisfied that the driver is safe to driver, they will issue a driving licence.

 

The licence may be restricted by:

 

Issued for a certain period after which time the DVLA will require further medical information.

Using certain types of vehicle e.g. automatic or operated by hand controls.

 

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, insurers are not permitted to impose terms on those suffering from health conditions unless they are able to show, through statistics or reliable research, that there is an increased risk.

 

Next: What’s included in my policy and do I need it?

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