How to ensure that your motor insurer will pay your claim

By Fergal Barry-Murphy. Published on December 31, 2007 This post currently has no comments.

Car Smash 2

Motor insurance claims can be very costly, sometimes running to hundreds of thousands of pounds. However, if you want to be sure that your insurer will pay out in the case of an accident you have to comply with all their conditions. We look at some of the most common causes of motorists' claims being refused.

One of the first rules of safe motoring is to always wear your seat belt. If you don't, you run the risk of receiving a heavy fine from police and no insurance cover in the case of an accident.

A recent survey has found that about a quarter of British motorists still drive without a seat belt. Thirty-nine per cent of drivers who haven't belted up said they forgot, while 11% said they either find belts too restrictive or they don't think they will have a crash, according to research by moneysupermarket.com. Encouragingly, the 18 to 24 age group is the best for seat belt compliance.

“It's astonishing so many people drive without wearing a belt when it's such a basic safety precaution. As well as being a lifesaver, a seat belt can be an extra precaution for your finances, helping ensure insurance claims are paid out and you don't get a £500 fine,” said Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com.

“Providers such as the RAC and Swiftcover will not pay out a motor insurance or personal injury claim to those not wearing belts, while the AA, Barclays, Budget, Kwik-Fit, Marks & Spencer, the Post Office and Zurich are unlikely to. It's essential to wear a belt and ensure all of your passengers are strapped in too.”

Not wearing a seat belt is just one circumstance where your motor insurer may not pay out. And the sad truth is that the higher your claim, the more likely an insurance company is going to look for reasons not to settle the claim. Because of this, you need to be super careful that you comply with all terms and conditions.

For a start, take care when filling out your application form. Make sure that all the information you provide is factually correct, and all car details such as make, model and engine size are correct.

Also, take care of your car and have it serviced regularly. Check to make sure that all lights, indicators and brake lights are working at least once a week, and make sure that your tyre tread depth is above the legal limit. Remember that police can fine you of any of these are not in order, and even a broken brake light could make the difference in the event of a tricky claim.

There are of course other obvious reasons that will result in your motor insurance claim being refused, but they are worth a mention. If you are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, driving recklessly or your driving license has expired, your insurance company will not pay out.

Also, if you are in an accident never admit that you were in the wrong, that is for the police and the insurance companies to decide. If you were involved in an accident with another person and can not agree on who was at fault, simply take their name, address and vehicle details, and inform your insurance company.

When it comes down to it, it is not that difficult to stay on the right side of the motor insurance companies. If you stay within the law, be honest, drive safely and keep your car in good condition you should have no problems at all.

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