Choosing car insurance: 6 tips!

You are required to have at least third-party car insurance. With a WA insurance you are insured for damage you cause to others. Damage to your own car is not insured. TPL insurance is therefore often chosen for cars of 10 years and older.

You can also choose the more extensive WA + limited casco coverage. With this you are also insured for damage caused by fire, hail, storm, lightning, explosion, broken window, theft, attempted theft and damage due to a collision with stray animals. A WA + limited casco will cost you only a little more per month, but then you are immediately much more extensively insured. The limited liability insurance is often chosen for cars between 6 and 10 years old.

Finally, there is all-risk auto insurance. This is the most comprehensive form of coverage. With all-risk car insurance, you are not only insured for all the aforementioned damages, but also for damages to your own car due to your own fault. For new cars up to about 6 years old, all-risk insurance is usually chosen.

The age of the car

Always look at the age of your car when choosing coverage, but don't stare blindly at it. Even older cars can sometimes be better insured comprehensively. Having the right coverage will ensure that you are properly insured in every situation. Repair costs on a car can be substantial, not to mention personal injury. That's why it's nice to be properly insured, so you can avoid skyrocketing costs.

For example, you can take out legal expenses insurance, passenger accident insurance, passenger damage insurance or roadside assistance insurance with your car insurance. Always check that you do not accidentally take out double insurance. Do you already have a separate roadside assistance insurance? Then of course you do not have to insure roadside assistance again with your car insurance. Only take out additional coverage on your car insurance if this really has added value for you.

The new-value scheme ensures that the insurer gives you an amount high enough to buy the same car new at the time your car is totaled or stolen. Many insurers have a new-value scheme of 1 year, but some have a scheme of 3 years. At the end of this period, the insurer assumes the current market value of the car, so you will be reimbursed a lot less.

Most insurers work with a standard deductible. Suppose you have an excess of €150,-. If the damage is €2500,-, the insurer will pay you €2350,-. Insurers use different amounts and some insurers don't use any excess at all. Always check what amount your car insurance company uses before you take out the insurance.

When you buy car insurance, of course you want your car accessories to be covered as well. Standard accessories, such as an air conditioner or skylight, are covered by default. These are accessories that are factory installed. Extra accessories are accessories you added later yourself. These can be insured separately. Therefore, always report extra accessories to the insurer to make sure they are included in the insurance.

When choosing car insurance, you may want to save on costs. Logically, a car is often expensive enough. You can then of course choose the cheapest coverage. Now maybe fine, but the moment you get into an accident, you'll regret not being better insured. Therefore, always compare different car insurance policies. You might find the same coverage at a lower price with another insurer. By comparing car insurance policies, you can find the best coverage at the lowest price.

Have you purchased a good car insurance policy? Check your coverage regularly in between. After all, these days cars last longer than they used to. The average age at which a car is scrapped is now 18 years, according to the Bovag-Rai Mobility Foundation. Therefore, it is sometimes wise to take out extended car insurance for longer. Premiums and policy conditions of car insurance can change every year. Of course, your personal situation can also change every year. We therefore advise you to check annually whether your car insurance still suits you.