Car insurance jargon buster A-D
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ABI Group
Association of British Insurers (ABI) members sit on what’s called a Group Rating Panel. This Panel recommends Car Insurance Group Ratings for each new car built in the UK. You can search the ABI database to find the Insurance Group for a car you want to buy or insure.
Accident Recovery
At Sheilas’ Wheels we do just that. If your car isn’t driveable after an accident we’ll come and recover it. Simply call our 24 hour Accident Recovery Helpline on 0800 032 9083 for assistance.
Act of God
An Act of God is an event that is not the fault of any person, for example, when lightning strikes and causes damage. Acts of God may or may not be insurable.
Actuary
This is a professional who specialises in calculating risk, especially for insurance purposes. They look at insurance applications and work out the likelihood of the applicant making a claim. This is then used to work out the price of the insurance, that is the Premium you pay.
Advanced Driving Qualification
An advanced driving qualification improves your road skills and therefore helps prevent accidents. In short, it helps you be a better driver. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) offers Advanced Driving Tests.
Additional Drivers
Additional drivers are drivers you name on your car insurance policy in addition to you the Policyholder.
After Market Security
This is a security device fitted to your car after you’ve bought it. While most cars are sold with security features, if you install an additional security system it can help to lower the price of your car insurance, though you should check with your insurer.
Agent
This is someone who acts for one or a number of companies, particularly in selling insurance.
Aggregator
Alarm
A car alarm is an electronic device installed in a vehicle in an attempt to stop thieves. Car alarms work by emitting high-volume sound and/or flashing the car lights when they are set off.
Annual Mileage and Annual Business Mileage
Before you get a quote for your car insurance, your car insurer will need to know how many miles you drive each year – this is your annual mileage. You will also need to state whether you use your car for work.
Annual Premium
Your annual premium is the price of your car insurance for the year. It should include Insurance Premium Tax.
Any Driver
If your car insurance covers ‘any driver’, this allows anyone to drive your vehicle and still be covered by your insurance, not just you the owner. The driver must have your permission to use the car and have a valid licence.
Approved Repairer
We have a network of approved repairers who follow female-friendly practices. These aren’t the stereotypical teeth-sucking, tyre-kicking garage mechanics; we issue all of our repairers with standards that guard against patronising attitudes.
Association of British Insurers (ABI)
The ABI is the Association for British Insurers and represents the overall interests of the industry. However, they don’t regulate the industry and insurance companies don’t have to join the Association.
Assumptions
Insurers may make certain assumptions as the basis for their insurance cover. These can include your age, how old your car is and a number of other criteria. For more details about the assumptions we make at Sheilas’ Wheels see our Will you insure me? page.
Australia/Australian
No, we’re not an Australian company, and we don’t sell insurance in Australia!
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Breakdown Assistance/Breakdown Cover
Breakdown Assistance/Breakdown Cover This is sometimes referred to as ‘roadside rescue’. If you take out this cover and your car breaks down, you have a number to call to get someone to come out to fix your car. If they can’t, depending on the type of cover you have, they’ll tow you to the nearest repairer. To keep you and your car on the road, Sheilas’ Wheels offers a range of breakdown cover to suit your needs, provided that your car is less than 14 years old at the start of the proposed cover, and all of which are available 24 hours a day. Full details are available when you get your car insurance quote. Take a look at our online Policy Booklet for more information. Sheilas’ Wheels Breakdown Assistance Cover is provided by Green Flag.
Bonus
See No Claim Discount.
Broker
Some insurance companies sell their services through intermediaries or brokers. A broker has access to a number of insurance companies and can give you car insurance quotes.
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Cancellation Rights
With Sheilas’ Wheels you have the right to cancel your Car Insurance Policy, Motoring Legal Protection or Breakdown Assistance cover at any time during the term of cover. Our online Policy Booklet gives you all the information you need on how to cancel your policy and the terms and fees that apply.
Car Insurance
A car insurance policy protects you if you’re involved in an accident or your car is stolen, and is a legal requirement in the UK. You pay a premium and the insurance company agrees to provide benefits that cover you financially. Cover varies according to the Cover Type you choose and the Policy offered by your insurance company.
Car Insurance Group Ratings
Every UK car is given a Car Insurance Group Rating. This rates the car for risk. The Groups range from 1-20. Group 1 is the lowest risk and Group 20 the highest. Most family cars, except the really high-powered ones, fall into Groups 6 to 12. The lower the group rating, the less you generally pay for your car insurance.
Car-jacking
Car-jacking is the crime of stealing a vehicle when it’s occupied. Typically the car-jacker is armed and the driver is forced out of the car.
Car Tax
See Road Tax.
CC of Car
The CC of your car is the cubic capacity of the engine. The engine is measured in cubic centimetres and this information is shown in your Certificate of Registration (V5). You may be asked for this information when you apply for car insurance.
Certificate of Insurance
This Certificate is proof that you’re insured and you need to keep it somewhere safe, though you should not leave important documents in your car as this could make it easier for thieves to sell your car should it be stolen. The Certificate is valid for the duration of your insurance policy. With Sheilas’ Wheels, as soon as you’ve paid your premium (or set up a direct debit) we’ll send you a Certificate of Insurance by first class mail.
Certificate of Registration
The Certificate of Registration (or V5 document) certifies that a vehicle is registered in your name, and it proves you’re the legal owner. Any change to your details, for example your address, must be amended on your Certificate by sending it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If you sell your vehicle the DVLA must also be notified. The procedure you need to follow is described on the Certificate.
Claim
This describes the process where you notify your insurance company of an event, such as an accident or theft/ attempted theft, where you wish to claim against your insurance policy. A claim may also be made against your policy by a third party, such as another motorist that you have been involved in an accident with, a pedestrian or the owner of property damaged by your car. Also see Settlement.
Class of Use
Although they will vary by insurer there are generally six types of Class of Use:
S D & P - use for Social, Domestic and Pleasure purposes only.
Class 1 - use for Social Domestic and Pleasure and by the policyholder in person in connection with their business.
Class 1A - use for Social, Domestic and Pleasure and by the policyholder and/or spouse in person in connection with their business.
Class 1S - use for Social, Domestic and Pleasure and by the policyholder’s spouse only in connection with their business.
Class 2 - use for SD&P and by anyone in connection with the policyholder’s business or profession.
Class 3 - use for SD&P and by anyone in connection with the policyholder’s business or profession (includes commercial travelling).
All exclude use in connection with the motor trade or carriage of passengers for hire or reward.
Compliance
All authorised insurance companies must comply with Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations. This means they are bound by certain rules and principles, which are in place to protect consumers and ensure they are treated fairly.
Sheilas’ Wheels is authorised and regulated by the FSA.
Comprehensive Cover
Covers your car against accidental damage, loss or damage caused by fire or theft and provides third party liability cover for injury or damage you may cause to others or their property.
Compulsory Excess
A compulsory excess is the amount of any claim that you are required to pay yourself, and any payment from a claim will be reduced by this amount.
Condition
See Assumptions.
Conviction Code
Conviction codes (also know as Endorsement Codes or DVLA Codes) are unique codes given to driving offences. They’re usually four-figure codes made up of letters and numbers. These are all listed on your driving licence or the counterpart document of your photocard driving licence. Each conviction carries a number of Penalty Points and if you have 12 points or more on your Driving Licence you will be disqualified from driving.
If you or one of your drivers is convicted of a driving offence or you are disqualified from driving you need to let us know.
Courtesy Car
A courtesy car is a car that is lent or rented to you to use while your car is being repaired.
If you’re unfortunate enough to have a claim with Sheilas’ Wheels we want to give you the best service possible. That’s why we provide you with a free courtesy car (while your car is being repaired by our recommended repairers). All you pay for is the fuel. For more details see our online Policy Booklet. Terms and conditions apply.
Cover Limits
This is the extent of your cover. To get an overview of the extent of cover for Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance, take a look at our Policy Summary - it gives you a snapshot of the main features of our Policy. You can also Compare Our Cover with other insurers.
Cover Note
This is a temporary Certificate of Insurance which is supplied by some insurers before your full policy is issued to you, or when you’ve been given temporary extensions of cover.
Cover Type
The three most common types of car insurance, or cover types, in the UK are:
Comprehensive (Comp), Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT) and Third Party Only (TPO)
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Department for Transport
This is the part of Government responsible for transport. The Department's aim is to oversee the delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system that also protects our environment: http://www.dft.gov.uk
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is part of the Department for Transport (DfT). Its main aim is to assist road safety and general law enforcement. They keep a register of all drivers and vehicles.
See also Certificate of Registration.
Driving Disqualifications
If you’re convicted of a number of driving offences, or a single serious driving offence, you may be disqualified from driving.
If you or one of your drivers is or has been disqualified from driving you need to let us know.
See also Conviction Codes.
Driving Licence
In the UK, you have to have a driving licence to drive most vehicles on a public road.
A driving licence is either a ‘provisional’ licence or a ‘full’ licence. A provisional licence has certain restrictions on its use. You are entitled to apply for a full driving licence if you have passed a driving test in the UK within the previous two years.
Driving Other Cars (DOC)
This allows you to drive a car you don’t own, but only for third party risks, and provides the minimum cover required by the law. If you have a Sheilas’ Wheels policy and need someone to drive your car on a temporary basis, then ask about our Temporary Additional Driver cover.
Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is part of the UK Department for Transport (DfT). Its motto is 'Safe Driving for Life' and it sets the standards for driving instruction and driving tests.
Due Care/Reasonable Care
Most insurance policies include a clause saying you must show 'due care' or 'reasonable care' or they may not pay out in the event of a claim.
This means you must take reasonable steps to prevent loss or damage to your car and not be reckless. But we know women are generally more careful and considerate drivers anyway - that's the reason we launched Sheilas’ Wheels!
Duty of Disclosure
If you make any changes that affect your insurance policy then you need to let us know straight away. These can include things like changing your car or changing your address.
See our online Policy Booklet for more details and take a read of What should I do if my circumstances change during the period of insurance?
DVLA Code
See Conviction Code.
