Policy Exclusions - Policy
Excess
Most policies now carry a compulsory excess and
you might have volunteered for a higher excess to save some
premium. YOU MUST PAY THIS NO MATTER WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE
ACCIDENT, LOSS OR DAMAGE. Hardly a day goes by in a claims
office but there is a telephone call from an irate customer
saying, 'why do I have to pay an excess when it was the
other drivers fault?'
Also make sure you know what your excess is,
and remember that young or inexperienced drivers have
additional excesses to pay. It should be clearly shown in your
policy book or schedule.
There have been many heated discussions by
telephone with people who did not know what their excess was or
that they had to pay this in the event of a claim, irrespective
of blame. The reason you have to pay this first is because you
have entered into a legal contract with your insurers in which
you have agreed to pay the initial amount of each and every
claim.
So you are not insured for the amount of your
excess and furthermore, it is the first layer of the financial
loss that has been incurred. If you are not at fault for an
accident, you have the right to claim it back. See the chapter
dealing with Third Party Claims for more about 'uninsured
losses'
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"I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I
was later found in a ditch by some stray
cows." |
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Extracts taken from actual claim
forms submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies |
Next.....
Car Insurance Policy Clauses - Loss Of Use
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