Are you buying an AC policy? Check what to look for - guide

Motor hull insurance, unlike OSAGO, is voluntary insurance. The AC policy provides the driver with insurance protection against material losses associated with damage to the car during operation. We advise what to look for when choosing this insurance.

Poliska AC, or Auto Casco, works very simply. Even if you are the cause of the collision, the insurer will pay for the repair of the damaged car. As part of the AC, the insurance company will cover the costs of eliminating damage, including when the culprit is unknown. As is often the case with theft, scratches on the paintwork in the parking lot or small bumps in front of supermarkets. The speaker also protects against accidental events - a fire, an explosion of a car or the elements - hail, damage to a car by a fallen tree. In short, AC is also a policy for peace of mind. It is not only a matter of receiving compensation, but also the psychological comfort of daily driving.

Scope of AS insurance

Various Auto Casco policies are available on the market, such as luggage and window insurance, only against theft, or only against car damage. Therefore, the driver must know what he wants when choosing a policy. Experts remind that the volume of the policy, that is, the damage from which it protects, is more important than its price.

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Insurance companies often sell speakers in packages - offering them along with mandatory third party liability insurance and - a little less often - additional accident insurance - protection against the consequences of accidents. While third party liability insurance protects against the civil consequences of an accident caused by the insured, accident insurance covers the irreversible consequences of accidents, such as death of the insured during a car trip. All travelers, i.e. driver and passengers, are insured. Help is also an element of the package, i.e. roadside assistance, towing the car to a service point, sometimes also rental housing - if the breakdown or accident occurred away from the place of residence of the policyholder - and a replacement car.

AC insurance may vary in terms of liability. On the market, you can buy, for example, insurance that only protects against theft or damage associated with damage to the vehicle. Which insurance option is better - it all depends on the individual preferences of the driver.

AC Insurance Discounts and Increases

Each company has its own pricing policy, and therefore determines what discounts and surcharges for car policy buyers depend on. For some companies, the make and model of the car will be a more important factor influencing the surcharge - due to the large difference in the cost of repairing individual cars - and for others, the gender and age of the driver. In addition, the price of the policy is influenced by: the cost of the car (the basic premium AC is calculated as a percentage of the value of the car), popularity in theft statistics and the year of manufacture. An additional factor is also the place of residence of the car owner.

Exceptions to indemnity, sum insured

Before signing the contract, it is necessary to check the amount covered by the insurance and the list of exclusions from the liability of the insurer. This list describes situations in which the insurer will not pay you compensation. So you have to read very carefully. The list of exceptions includes, among other things, the provision that the insurer does not pay compensation to AS if the damage was caused intentionally or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, if the driver, who did not have a driver's license, fled the scene. In case of car theft, the owner must present a set of keys, alarm remotes, registration certificate, invoice or customs clearance documents in order to receive compensation. In principle, there is no age limit for a car, upon reaching which the insurer will refuse AC insurance. Only the real cost of the vehicle, determined according to the conversion tables, is important. Therefore, it is not possible to insure, for example, a Golf II for a million zlotys in order to receive high compensation in case of fraudulent theft.

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Beware of tricks

The insurer will do everything possible to reduce the amount of compensation as much as possible. Before concluding a policy, it is worth checking whether the excess has been established, i.e. how much the insurer will withhold from any reimbursement. You also need to find out if the insurance company will cover 100 percent. the cost of new, original spare parts, even if the insured car is old. Companies apply different thresholds here, so you can avoid the nasty disappointment of paying compensation by buying your own share.

How to Compare Different Auto Casco Policies:

Pay attention to:

* sum insured, which should determine the current market value of the car

* allowances that may be granted due to e.g. driving damage (up to 240%), vehicle age (up to 50%)

* discounts that can be provided, for example, for accident-free driving (up to 60%)

* other policies in this insurance company (up to 50% discount)

* place of residence (up to 40%)

* optional anti-theft security measures (up to 10% off)

* own share, i.e. percentage share of the insured in the loss (after payment of the premium, this condition can be removed)

* depreciation, i.e. the older the vehicle, the more, from 10 to 50 percent, is deducted from the compensation paid. After payment, compensation can be paid in the amount of 100%. compensation.

Remember that when choosing an AC, the size of the premium cannot be the only criterion.