The AA is calling for more ‘consumer clarity’ for motor policies with insurers required to spell out more clearly what key elements of insurance are not covered
Motorists are being hit with hefty bills due to a lack of awareness that many car insurance policies do not include windscreen damage, repairs and replacement, warns the AA. The motoring organisation revealed that while 84 percent of people expect windscreen cover as standard, numerous large companies offer ‘essentials’, ‘basic’ or ‘value’ insurance without it.
Furthermore, some ‘basics’ car insurance policies, marketed as comprehensive, do not provide cover for personal injury, courtesy cars and personal possessions. The AA is urging for greater ‘consumer clarity’ in car insurance policies, with insurers needing to more explicitly state what key aspects of insurance are not included.
A survey of 10,237 drivers discovered that over eight out of 10 (84 percent) anticipate windscreen cover to be part of a comprehensive car insurance policy. However, the reality is that some insurers require customers to pay an additional fee for this.
When questioned about what drivers would be willing to sacrifice if they were to purchase an ‘essentials’ comprehensive policy, only 17 percent would be prepared to lose cover for their windscreen and glass. The same poll found that 61 percent would prefer to eliminate other elements, such as cover when driving in Europe, with half willing to give up breakdown assistance and over two fifths (44 percent) ready to forfeit protection for audio and sat-nav equipment.
As part of The AA’s campaign, it is recommending that policies which remove windscreen cover cannot be called “comprehensive”. These policies are often marketed as ‘comprehensive’ but are actually enhanced third party, fire and theft policies. Drivers are being warned to be cautious of ‘essentials’ and ‘basics’ products and to ensure the policy they purchase provides the necessary coverage.
Many motorists only realise they can’t make a claim after an incident has occurred, with windscreen and glass-related claims being among the most common. Replacing windscreens, side windows and panoramic roofs can cost hundreds of pounds. Some drivers are learning the hard way that their car insurance isn’t what they thought it was, leaving them to foot the bill.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, commented: “Comprehensive car insurance suggests to drivers that whatever happens, they will get the help they need. However, terms like ‘essentials’, ‘basics’ or ‘value’ may lead drivers to believe that some of the broader benefits have been dropped from the policy, leaving just the core protections in place.”
“However, many are discovering that windscreen cover, a part of a policy they believe is sacrosanct, has been stripped out to create products consumers don’t want and doesn’t meet their needs. We believe that a policy can’t be called comprehensive if it’s missing fundamental elements that driver’s want and expect. Ripping out items such as windscreen, and at the same time calling it ‘essential’ feels misleading.
“As well as making sure the policy you buy matches the cover you need, we want the industry to put the customer first and sell these policies as an enhanced third party fire and theft product. That would ensure consumers are clear about what they are getting up front, rather than be shocked at the worst possible moment.
Put the customer first and sell these policies as an enhanced third party fire and theft product. That would ensure consumers are clear about what they are getting up front, rather than be shocked at the worst possible moment.”
