[Nick]

A recent survey from Go.compare found that 6 out of 10 drivers didn't understand what a compulsory excess, or a voluntary excess, were. Some other interesting data shows that 58% of drivers don't know what Social, Domestic, and Pleasure means or what Driving Other Cars allows. 54% said they didn't know what Third Party, Fire, and Theft cover was.

What's at fault here would you say? It seems people are heading for the cheapest premiums (understandably) without really understanding the consequences and what it means for the cover they're purchasing.

Let us know what you think...

Article: Six in ten drivers don't fully understand insurance excesses - Source The Sunday Times

[olduser]

It would help if insurers were more honest, so it did what it said on the tin.

The T&C is obscure, and written in Lawyereez making it difficult to read.

Third party, Fire & Theft almost says what it is, providing you don't get caught in a riot or war, you might be able to drive to work but don't carry any work books leaflets tools, and maybe you had better become teetotal.

Comprehensive, certainly doe's not describe what is in the tin.

So in the end your average motorist knows they are being ripped off but the law says they have to have insurance!

Interestingly, several years ago, my car was comprehensively insured, and a new employer needed time to arrange a car so I used my own, I phoned my insurer told them, they said OK go ahead!
When I asked how much, they replied nothing we have just added it to your policy?

[Rolebama]

It is my experience that insurers don't understand it either. I have received countless letters, phone calls and emails because I put a voluntary excess on my policies which, added to compulsory, totals my valuation of my car. They usually ask why am I doing this, and have a great deal of difficulty understanding that I do not intend driving like an idiot, so will not be claiming my damage from my own insurance, so if it reduces my premium - great.

[Drivingforfun]

In my defence I did know about all the terms, but as a new driver with a car worth very little I simply wanted the cheapest product that'd get me legal - I didn't care what "service" I got for my money - most of the addons/extras were cheaper to absorb the risk of myself. Insurance was basically an additional tax payable before I was allowed to drive without being stopped!

It's different now my car is actually worth more than the cost of my insurance, but think the public do ask for it in general, not just with insurance ... we ask for cheaper stuff, so they remove more from service, then offer a "premium" service which was basically just what was on offer before they trimmed everything off

[olduser]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

It is my experience that insurers don't understand it either. I have received countless letters, phone calls and emails because I put a voluntary excess on my policies which, added to compulsory, totals my valuation of my car. They usually ask why am I doing this, and have a great deal of difficulty understanding that I do not intend driving like an idiot, so will not be claiming my damage from my own insurance, so if it reduces my premium - great.

I like your first sentence.😀

But have you tried to claim excess (Uninsured loss?), the body shop's usually have to recover the excess before they will release the car, then the insurer (in my case) claimed the case was closed they had paid for the repairs, next it was excess (£150) was not recoverable.
After a lot of toing and froing, I asked if they had the Ombudsman's address, and the cheque was in the post.