Getting your car insured can save you a lot of money, especially if you drive a lot, thus being more exposed to accidents. I do have my car insured, and I can tell you that every year, the cost for reparations would have been much higher than the annual insurance premium I’ve paid.
However, you need to be aware that insurance conditions are different from one insurance company to another, so you need to do a bit of research before deciding with which insurance company to close the deal:
- Ask the insurance company representative what risks they’d cover: accident, vandalism, natural catastrophes…
- In case you are using roads which are not part of the national road network, ask if the insurance covers events which may occur while driving on such roads. Some insurance companies offer this clause, for a small additional premium
- Ask about the franchise in case your car is stolen: most of the companies would not insure your car for the whole amount it is worth, the franchise being between 5% and 15%, depending on the additional fee you agree to pay with your premiums
- It is possible that even repairs due to accidents to have a franchise: you pay a fixed amount from the total cost, and the insurance company covers what’s over that amount
- Check on internet (forums, blogs) for references about the insurance companies you have shortlisted. Find out how fast they move in case of insured events occurence, if there is a possibility that they settle all financial issues directly with the car repairing shop, or how fast they give you the money, in case they don’t offer this facility
It is good to have a car insurance, at least if you live in a dangerous neighborhood, or nearby a school (from my experience, children like to play with their keys on the cars sides when they walk, so I found my car scratched repeteadly).
