Insurance Glossary

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Word Description
Act of God An accident of event without human intervention that causes damage to your car.
Aggravated Theft The forceful or violent theft of your vehicle while you or your spouse is still inside.
Approved Repairer A garage that your insurance company recommends for repairs that is covered by your insurance policy.
Betterment The payment you make towards a claim should your car be worth more following repairs after a claim than it was beforehand.
Black Box A black box device (telematics) can be fitted to your car to monitor your driving behaviour and patterns. This can sometimes result in a lower car insurance premium.
Breakdown Cover A feature that covers policy holders in the event of a break down. This means that any costs occurred from a break down can be reclaimed through the insurance policy.
Car Alarm An anti-theft device that is installed on your car or vehicle.
Car Identify Theft Cover Insurance cover for the event that your license plates are duplicated and caught by a speed camera.
Certificate of Insurance A legal requirement for any driver that provides proof of insurance cover.
Claim The formal application for someone to recover damages under their insurance policy.
Comprehensive Insurance A policy that provides cover for you, your vehicle and third parties if you’re at fault.
Compulsory Excess This is the amount you will pay your insurance provider in the event of an accident.
Courtesy Car Many car insurance companies provide courtesy cars if your vehicle requires repairs as the result of an accident. The courtesy car will likely be of a similar of higher value to your own vehicle.
Driving Other Cars (DOC) This policy type allows the policy holder to drive any vehicle with the owner’s permission. It is not a feature for standard car insurance policies.
Endorsement An extra clause that varies your individual policy from the standard policy cover.
Excess This is the total amount you will have to pay in the event of an incident. It is made up of compulsory excess and voluntary excess.
Exclusions circumstances and events when the insurance provider will not have to pay out.
Fault Claim When you are considered at fault for an accident and costs can’t be recovered from a third party.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the FCA monitor and regulate the financial services industry including insurance. Ensure that your insurance provider is FCA approved.
Geographical Limits This is the geographical areas that a policy will cover you in.
Indemnity Indemnity ensures that you’re returned to the same financial position you were in before an incident.
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) a tax levied on most insurance policies that’s payable by the policy holder.
Insured Value The total amount your insurer will be willing to pay out for your car if it’s damaged beyond repair. This is often your car’s current market value at the time of a claim.
Market Value The cost of replacing the car with one of a similar age, type, mileage and condition, immediately before the accident.
Material Fact These are details that may influence an insurance providers willingness to insure you, or the premium they’ll charge. If any material facts aren’t disclosed then your policy may become void.
No-Claims Bonus (NCB) For each year a policy holder has insurance and does not make a claim they earn NCB. This results in a policy holder qualifying for a No-Claims discount and can reduce insurance premiums by up to 75%.
Non-Fault Claim a non-fault claim is when you are not at fault for an accident and your insurer can recover costs from another party.
Pass Plus Certificate A pass plus certificate is proof you’ve passed a respectable additional driving standards association training scheme on top of acquiring your licence. It can sometimes reduce your insurance premium, especially if you’re a young driver.
Period of Insurance The duration your insurance will cover you for. This is often 12 months.
Physical Assault If death or any serious bodily injuries are occurred as a result of an individual’s intentional violent act.
Policy The contract or document between an insurance provider and a policy holder.
Premium The amount paid by the policy holder to arrange an insurance policy.
Renewal Value A notice that is sent to a policy holder nearing the end of his/her policy informing them that they need to renew their policy.
Schedule This forms part of the contract of insurance. It includes details such as the period of insurance as well as any details about you, your car details and information on your endorsements and excess.
Settlement the amount your insurance provider will pay out for a claim.
Statement of Fact a form showing the information you gave that forms part of the contract of insurance.
Telematics Technology that is often used by insurance companies to monitor a policy holder’s driving behaviour. It can sometimes result in future insurance premiums being reduced, especially for younger drivers.
Third Party Fire & Theft A policy that provides the same level of cover as Third-Party but also protects you against fire damage or theft, as long as you’re not at fault.
Third-Party Only Covers anyone involved in a claim excluding the policy holder or insurer.
Total Loss When the insurance company thinks a car is incapable of being repaired or if it is more financially feasible to replace the car than fix it.
Uninsured Loss Recovery (ULR) When you are assisted in recovering your uninsured losses in the event of a non-fault claim.
Uninsured Losses any losses not covered by your insurance policy. This includes excess, expenses following an accident or compensation for injury caused by an accident.
Voluntary Excess This is the amount you agree to pay in the event of an accident. Higher voluntary excesses often lead to insurance companies lowering an insurance premium.
Write-Off This is the state of you vehicle when it is no longer financially feasible to repair.