The Optional Car Insurance Extras Worth Having

The cost of car insurance in the UK is high enough as it is in 2020, which leads to many people avoiding any optional extras at all costs – but there are some add-ons available that are worth considering.

With so many types of policies and add-ons available, it can be difficult to get your head around which ones are useful and which are not really worth the additional costs, which is why we’re here to help you!

Here, we introduce the main optional car insurance extras worth having, including breakdown cover and no-claims bonus protection, as well as some add-ons that you should steer clear of.

What car insurance extras do I need?

The best car insurance providers in the UK will offer you a wide selection of optional add-ons to accompany your basic cover (usually fully comprehensive cover), but which ones are actually worth taking into consideration?

Some of the most common car insurance extras that could be worth having – depending on your preferences – include: 

• Breakdown cover

• Personal accident cover

• Motor legal protection

• Courtesy car insurance

• Car key insurance

• Windscreen cover

• No claims bonus protection

• Contents insurance (personal possessions cover)

What is breakdown cover and is it worth having?

Breakdown cover is a type of optional car insurance policy that protects you against the costs that arise as a result of your car breaking down.

It is one of the most common types of car insurance extras available to policyholders, with many seeing the additional cost as one worth paying..

There are different levels of breakdown insurance, with the most basic covering the cost of roadside callouts and repairs, as well as the cost of being towed to the nearest garage.

The more comprehensive breakdown insurance policies – which are understandably more expensive due to the added cover – typically also cover the cost of accommodation and travel expenses if you are ever unfortunate enough to break down far from home.

If you commute often or drive an older vehicle with a higher risk of breaking down, breakdown cover could be a car insurance extra worth having.

If you’re interested in taking out breakdown cover as a standalone policy rather than having it included in your car insurance policy, visit Liberty Cover today and get a policy from just £26.99 a year.

Liberty Cover offer three different breakdown cover plans – Gold, Silver and Bronze – which offer differing levels of cover to suit your needs. The Gold breakdown insurance plan offered by Liberty Cover includes:

• EU roadside assistance
• EU national recovery
• EU trailer cover
• Home assist
• EU alternative travel
• EU overnight accommodation
• No excess on claims
• No recurring charges

Is personal accident insurance worth it?

What is personal accident insurance? As an optional add-on to your car insurance policy, personal accident cover provides additional financial protection for you and any other named driver should you be involved in a road traffic accident.

Most comprehensive car insurance policies will include a certain level of personal accident protection – usually up to £5,000 – but with a separate add-on, you could increase your cover to a maximum pay out of up to £50,000.

Note: Some other types of car insurance policies may not include any personal accident cover, so be sure to check your documents and ask your insurer if you’re unsure.

Personal accident cover can serve as a useful safety net if ever you are involved in a car accident, so it’s certainly something worth talking to your provider about.

Do I need personal injury on my car insurance? Possibly – it depends largely on the type of cover you currently have and the level of protection you require.

Many fully comprehensive car insurance policies will include a level of personal injury cover, but it’s possible that it will only cover you up to a certain amount, which is where an optional extra can help to protect you further.

Get FREE motor legal protection

While it isn’t a necessity or legal requirement, having a good motor legal protection insurance add-on can help you out financially if ever you need to make a car accident claim.

This type of cover usually costs around £30 per vehicle per year, but you can get it for FREE thanks to Bobatoo!

All you have to do is tap the link and complete a short contact form, following which you will receive all the relevant documents in an email.

If you are ever involved in an accident, you simply call their helpline (found within the documentation you will be sent) and their specialist partners will help you through the process from there.

What is motor legal protection and do I need it?

Whether you have third-party only cover, third-party, fire and theft insurance, or fully comprehensive car insurance, your provider may not cover all expenses, such as:

Even if you have fully comprehensive car insurance, your provider may not cover all expenses, including:

• Car insurance excess
• Lost earnings
• Lost possessions
• Personal injury claims

Motor legal cover – also referred to as legal expenses cover – is essentially designed to help you recover any uninsured losses following an accident and could save you thousands of pounds in the long-run.

Get your free motor legal protection today with Bobatoo!

Is motor legal protection worth having? In short, whether or not legal cover on car insurance is worth it depends on your personal needs and preferences. It is, however, worth considering as it could certainly get you out of a sticky financial situation if ever you’re faced with substantial costs after a road traffic accident.

As always, you should shop around and compare motor legal protection from as many providers as possible before committing to a policy, as the cost can vary considerably between each company.

Courtesy car cover – how do you get a courtesy car?

By purchasing a courtesy car cover add-on, you get a temporary replacement car if ever yours is damaged in an accident and needs repairing.

This can be highly useful if you simply could not get by without a car, for example, if you do not have access to (or are not permitted to drive) anyone else’s car, and need to commute to work each day.

You usually get the courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired at a garage, but most policies require the garage itself to be approved by the provider.

The terms and conditions that come with your courtesy car cover can differ with each policy, so remember to talk through the details of your insurance with your provider before purchasing it.

Courtesy car cover can be an optional extra worth purchasing in the UK, particularly if you need access to a vehicle every day – for business or work purposes, for example.

How does car key insurance work?

Are you always losing your car keys? Well, with ‘keycare cover’ from Admiral, you can protect yourself against the cost of replacing lost, stolen or damaged car keys, as well as any keys you use to enter private property (your garage, for example) and your house keys.

What’s more, the cost of replacing damaged locks will also be covered, and you are provided with 24/7 access to specialist locksmiths across the whole of the UK, meaning that you will never face the panic of being locked out of your own car again.

Is car key cover worth getting?

As long as the premiums you’re required to pay make financial sense to you, this type of car key cover is certainly a car insurance extra worth having, especially for those with a tendency to lose their keys!

After all, your car is no use to you without its keys, so it’s important that you keep them safe, secure, and insured.

What is windscreen cover on car insurance?

Windscreen cover is a car insurance extra that protects against the cost of a damaged windscreen, which – unbeknown to some – can sometimes be excluded from basic policies.

Understandably, many drivers are wary of windscreen cover as an add-on because it’s something that is included as standard in many comprehensive policies, but there is a genuine case for it being purchased as an optional extra if your car insurance does not already include it.

Although you’re able to claim for windscreen damage on your basic insurance, it is not always advisable because you would be required to pay the full excess amount and your no claims discount would be lost or reduced.

Unlike the cover you get with your fully comprehensive car insurance policy, windscreen cover purchased as an add-on allows you to claim without paying the full excess amount, and your no claims bonus (NCB) will not be affected at all – meaning that you will be able to get cheaper car insurance premiums in the future.

It is therefore an optional add-on worth considering, provided that you find an affordable deal with a reliable insurer. 

No claims bonus protection - Is it worth protecting my NCB?

Firstly, what is a no-claims bonus and how does it work?

A no-claims bonus (NCB) is a type of discount offered by many car insurance providers in the UK, which is representative of the number of years you have been driving without making a claim.

Each year you do not make a claim on your car insurance, you build a better no claims discount, which essentially reduces the cost of your car insurance premiums on a yearly basis.

Read More: No Claims Bonus Explained

But when you claim on that insurance policy, whether it was your fault or not, your NCB is either reduced or lost completely (depending on the provider).

With no claims bonus insurance added to your standard car insurance policy as an optional extra, you are able to protect your NCB.

You pay a small premium each year and if you ever need to claim on your car insurance, you will not lose your no-claims discount. 

If you are a relatively experienced driver and have built up a few years’ NCB, you should consider protecting your no-claims discount with an optional extra.

Personal possessions cover with car insurance

Your standard car insurance policy will usually provide you with a small level of cover when it comes to your personal possessions, but most people require an add-on if they want to protect against the theft or damage of any expensive items – such as laptops or tablets – that may be left in their vehicle from time to time.

There are add-on policies out there that protect your belongings – similarly to the way that personal possessions cover does – but be sure to make yourself aware the cover’s conditions before you agree to it.

Why? Because car contents insurance add-ons typically come with exceptions and certain conditions – for example, most personal possessions policies won’t pay out if the item has been left in clear view.

There’s no doubt that adding contents cover will add to the cost of your car insurance quite significantly, so be sure to consider your options carefully before signing on the dotted line.

Your safest bet is to avoid leaving any expensive items in your car!

Car insurance advice from Compare UK Quotes

In summary, the main car insurance extras worth having include:

• Breakdown cover

• No-claims bonus protection

• Courtesy car cover

• Windscreen insurance

• Motor legal protection

However, the optional extras that you choose to include within your car insurance policy depend entirely on your personal needs.

Those that are prone to losing their keys may opt for car key cover, while those who drive an older, less reliable car may find that breakdown cover is the most suitable add-on for them.

One of the most important add-ons is car insurance legal cover, which all types of drivers might find useful.

We understand that the cost of car insurance in the UK is a burden that all drivers have to deal with, which is why we do all we can to help you lower your premiums. Whether it’s tweaking your job title or using a dash cam, you’re bound to find new and innovative ways of reducing the cost of your cover here.

For more information on car insurance, or saving money on car costs, check out our range of articles right here at Compare UK Quotes, and to compare quotes right now, simply tap the button below.

Related articles:

How is Car Insurance Calculated?

Do You Need Motor Legal Protection?

The Best Car Insurance Companies in the UK