- Four out of five drivers need more coverage for windshields than the number of premiums they’re willing to pay.
The AA is calling for ‘more clarity’ on motor insurance policies, as many premiums are sold as broad cover for eye damage.
Many car insurance companies create what they call ‘essential’, ‘basic’ and ‘value’ comprehensive insurance products that exclude cover for what is needed and expected by customers.
In a poll of 10,237 drivers, 84 percent said they expected windshield cover to be included in a car insurance policy.
However some insurers are removing the glass protection from their ‘essential’ and ‘basic’ products without giving customers the opportunity to opt-in to their policies.
When asked what drivers would be willing to lose if they bought a comprehensive ‘essentials’ policy, only 17 per cent would be willing to forego cover for their windscreens and glass.
In comparison, three fifths would prefer to cancel the cover when driving in Europe, with half in favor of canceling breakdown assistance and more than two fifths in favor of disable protection for audio equipment and sat-nav.
Close: The AA wants insurance policies around screen cover to be clearer
As part of the AA initiative, the motoring association recommends that policies which remove windscreen cover as ‘comprehensive’ should not be sold as third party, fire and liability policies. the thief.
In addition, the AA is warning drivers to be wary of ‘genuine’ and ‘original’ products and to ensure the policy they buy the cover they need.
Many drivers find themselves unable to make a claim after an accident, one of the most common claims on motor insurance policies is windshield and glass.
Replacing windows, side windows and panoramic roofs can run into the hundreds of pounds.
Car insurance rates are now on average £612 per annumaccording to statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Jack Cousens, head of road policy for the AA, said: ‘Comprehensive car insurance ensures drivers that even if they are involved, they will get help.
At the same time, ‘important’, ‘basic’ or ‘value’ drivers may feel that some of the general benefits have been excluded from the policy, leaving only basic protections.
‘We believe that a policy cannot be said to be comprehensive if it is missing the key elements that drivers want and expect. Throwing things like windshields and calling them ‘important’ is misleading.’
