An introduction to Motor Insurance

If you are new driver or first time car owner then the topic of motor insurance may seem like a minefield for you in which the motor insurance companies always have the upper hand. Indeed it is a complicated area and its complexities are many. However once you have a basic understanding of the principles of motor insurance the process becomes largely demystified and while there will inevitably always be some aspects of the small print that are cursed with terminology beyond the understanding of the layman, the majority of it will eventually seem clear and simple.

The purpose of motor insurance is to protect motorists against liability in the event of accidents they may cause. It can also provide cover for the motorist's own vehicle. You might think you have no intention of ever having an accident or intend driving your car only to your child’s school and back twice a day so why should you need insurance? The fact is that a minimum level of motor insurance cover is a legal requirement in the UK and in almost every civilised country in the world. The reason for this being that the law recognises that even if we are the most proficient driver on the planet there always exist external forces and conditions that are beyond are control that might contribute to an accident and while we may feel that should anything happen that we would be financially capable of paying for any repairs or compensatory charges that would result, the law says differently and recognises that we have a responsibility towards other drivers to be covered by a basic insurance policy.