Car insurance might be difficult to understand. Whether you choose comprehensive auto insurance or third-party property insurance, there are a slew of inclusions, exclusions, and optional extras to consider, as well as particular circumstances that may render a claim invalid.The easiest method to avoid an auto insurance claim denial is to thoroughly study your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure that you understand your coverage and its limitations.However, you may expedite your research by understanding what most Australian auto insurance providers do not cover.
Before filing a claim, ask yourself these seven comprehensive car insurance coverage questions.
1. Is general wear and tear and tyre damage covered by car insurance?
This refers to all of the minor blemishes, stains, and technical faults that arise, which are sadly not covered by auto insurance.
Regular maintenance can assist address concerns as they arise, which should presumably result in a more cost-effective and efficient solution than arranging emergency repairs.
One thing to keep in mind is that tyre damage, such as punctures and worn-down tread, is not covered by auto insurance.
As a result, keep an eye on the tread depth and replace the set if it goes below 1.5mm (the legal requirement set out in the 1989 Motor Vehicles Standards Act).
Time is an unforgiving ruler. Depreciation is not covered by car insurance, and the longer you drive it, the less valuable it becomes. This is especially important if you’ve established a value for your vehicle that you’d like to update at renewal time.
If you don’t do your homework in these areas and your automobile is declared unroadworthy, you can bet your insurance company won’t cover you if you keep driving.
2. Is mechanical or electrical breakdown covered by car insurance?
This could be a problem if the hood starts spouting smoke while you’re driving, or if a million revs isn’t enough to get the engine started.
While comprehensive car insurance covers many accidents and natural disasters, most policies exclude breakdowns caused by mechanical, electrical, or structural issues with the vehicle.
If you have a recent car that is still under warranty, these problems may be covered by the seller or manufacturer. Alternatively, if you’ve chosen to include roadside assistance in your policy, some minor mechanical difficulties may be covered under this coverage at the time of the breakdown.
4. Does car insurance cover a vehicle that is overloaded?
This one may seem self-evident – just transport as many passengers as seats and seat belts allow – but there’s more to it.If you load your car to the point where it’s heavier than the legal limit, or if the things aren’t secured securely, your auto insurance will be canceled.
The same is true for anything you’re pulling behind your car.To find out how much your car can tow safely, see your state or territory’s guide for the restrictions for various vehicle kinds, as well as the manufacturer’s standards.
5. Does car insurance cover cars that have been repossessed or that have been legally confiscated?
Is your car in the impound lot because you received one too many speeding tickets? Or has it been formally repossessed as a result of your failure to pay your vehicle insurance loan?Unfortunately, neither of these situations can be resolved with the help of your comprehensive insurance coverage.
6. Does car insurance cover unlicensed drivers or vehicles that haven’t been registered?
Expect your auto insurance to not cover you while driving if you don’t have a valid driver’s license or if your vehicle’s registration has expired.It’s easy to forget about these long-term registrations, so set reminders and maintain track of your papers.
7. What happens if you don’t pay your car insurance premium?
You must pay your premium in order to receive a payout. Insurance firms must give you at least 14 days’ notice before your policy period expires so that you can renew it.
Many providers will notify you well in advance, and there are frequently alternatives to set up automatic renewal.
So, ideally, you will remember to pay your premium, because any claim made under a lapsed insurance will be invalid.Make sure you’re in control of your auto insurance expenses by evaluating and selecting the most cost-effective policy for your needs.