When buying insurance, are you sure exactly what terms you are agreeing to? Contrary to appearances, these are not always obvious and can differ significantly depending on the insurance company. So what should you pay particular attention to? See what the insurance checklist: 9 pieces of information you must check in the AC insurance terms and conditions before signing the contract.
Do the definitions provided in the AC insurance terms and conditions always mean the same thing?
In many cases, the answer is yes. Most terms included in every contract leave little room for interpretation. However, some are considerably less obvious, which can lead to misunderstandings.
For example, each company may understand “young driver” differently. For some, this means everyone under 25 (Warta); for others, it also includes people one year older (Aviva); while still others use the term for anyone who has held a driving licence for less than 3 years (LINK4). It also happens that detailed definitions used by one insurer (e.g. “car luggage” in PZU) are treated much more generally by another—and all of this can matter when compensation is paid.
Is the scope of AC insurance specified in the contract the same everywhere?
Absolutely not. Depending on the insurer, an AC policy may cover different elements. What should you pay attention to, among other things?
- Protection for luggage and car equipment – sometimes the insurer covers damaged or lost luggage, sometimes it does not, and sometimes it protects only certain items. Windows and tyres often require separate insurance.
- Types of damage covered – some AC policies offer a very broad catalogue of damage, from partial damage and car theft to total destruction. With mini comprehensive insurance, the scope will be much more limited.
- Territory in which the cover applies – pay particular attention to this if you need AC insurance for travel outside Poland or the European Union.
Can a vehicle inspection be avoided?
A vehicle inspection by an assessor is every insurer’s right and cannot be avoided in any way. However, individual companies approach this differently, usually adapting to the customer. Check what policy your insurer applies in this regard, because it may happen that your contract is terminated as a result of an oversight.
A vehicle inspection by an insurance company is not merely a formality. For insurers, it is a basic way of protecting themselves against dishonest customers, which is why they apply a number of rules allowing them to terminate a contract immediately. This may happen, for example, if the inspection does not take place through the customer’s fault and the customer avoids attempts at contact. The inspection itself may also produce a negative result—for example, it may turn out that the customer concealed the vehicle’s poor condition or insufficient anti-theft security in the application,” says Mateusz Piesowicz from the insurance comparison website mubi.pl.
Are there exceptions to exclusions of liability under AC insurance?
You certainly know situations in which car AC insurance (https://mubi.pl/ubezpieczenie-samochodu/) will not apply. However, you may not know that exceptions to some of them are specified precisely in the general terms and conditions of insurance. One such situation is the example from LINK4’s AC terms and conditions, which does not pay compensation for damaged tyres if this is the only damage to the vehicle (e.g. after a puncture)—but if the tyres are damaged as one of several elements (e.g. during a collision), there will no longer be a problem with receiving the money.
Does the method of repairing the damage matter?
Not always, but it may happen that the insurer rewards customers in a special way if they choose a claim-settlement option that is beneficial to the insurer. One example is Generali, whose AC terms and conditions state that repairing the vehicle at a specific workshop will involve, among other things, additional services.
Can you gain anything when setting the sum insured for comprehensive car insurance?
Yes, because this can help you avoid a reduction in compensation. There are various ways to do this, including purchasing a deductible and parts depreciation waiver in the event of partial damage, or choosing a fixed sum insured after total loss. By selecting the right option, you reduce or completely eliminate the risk of exhausting the sum insured, so it is worth looking for such solutions in the AC insurance terms and conditions.
Can the insurer terminate my AC insurance contract?
Since you can cancel AC insurance, the other party to the contract can do exactly the same. However, specific circumstances listed in the AC insurance terms and conditions must arise on your side for this to happen.
You can certainly expect the contract to be terminated if you use the car contrary to its intended purpose (e.g. entering it in rallies) or modify it in a way that significantly changes its parameters and increases the insurance risk. Concealing the fact that the car is primarily used by a young driver will also constitute grounds for terminating the policy. The same applies if you delay paying the premium, especially after previously receiving a payment demand.
Can I repair my car abroad myself?
After an accident or collision abroad, it may be necessary to repair the car quickly. Check whether the AC insurance terms and conditions regulate such a situation, because it may turn out that handling the claim independently is possible only up to a certain amount or within a specified scope, and exceeding those limits will result in losing compensation.Can I pay the premium in instalments?