Car Insurance Articles

Unexpected Benefits You May Be Covered For Under Your Car Insurance

Car insurance can be full of surprises – some policies cover more than you’d expect and for once, it might be a nice surprise!

Fuel – Putting the wrong fuel in to your car

It happens more often than you’d think – a quick lapse in concentration and suddenly your diesel car is sipping petrol. A costly mistake!

Many motor insurers won’t cover this kind of distraction but some will, potentially saving you a hefty bill.

Top tip – If it happens – don’t start the engine! Your best bet might be using your breakdown cover or calling a specialist to drain the tank. It could cost less than your insurance excess, so it’s worth checking to see if cover is available under your policy and then look at the options.

Child Car Seats – are they covered?

Parents know all too well that child car seats don’t come cheap. But did you know that after an accident (even if there’s no visible damage) they should be replaced?

Some car insurance companies will cover the cost of a new one if it’s part of a claim for damage or loss to your car. If yours was particularly pricey, it’s worth keeping hold of the receipt, just in case you need to prove its value.

Scams – Would you be covered?

Scammers are getting sneakier and car sellers are a prime target. Whether it’s someone driving off with your car on a test drive or paying with fake cash, fraudsters have plenty of tricks up their sleeves.

While some car insurance policies will cover ‘theft by deception‘, others won’t, so it’s crucial to check your policy details. If you’re selling your car privately, be extra cautious. Using a trusted dealer or requesting payment via direct bank transfer can help you avoid becoming a victim.

Gadgets – What is actually covered?

Your car’s factory fitted tech, like touchscreens and parking cameras, is usually covered under your insurance. But what about removable gadgets like sat navs, dash cams etc.?

Most car insurance companies offer cover under personal possessions and fitted accessories but only up to a certain value, so double-check your policy.

If you regularly carry expensive items in your car, we recommend adding them to your home insurance. However, you should also check your home insurance includes cover for your property away from your home address and includes cover in your personal vehicles. Of course, no matter how well insured you are, don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Take them with you or keep them hidden to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Thieves are always on the lookout!

Policy Wording – We recommend to ALWAYS check this

No two insurers are the same so what’s covered by one might not be covered by another. That’s why it’s always important to check your policy wording – this will outline exactly what’s included in your cover.

If you’re not sure, the team at David J Millers are always on hand to help so get in touch!

Need To De-Ice Your Windscreen?

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles

Most of us grab an ice scraper and some de-icer to sort out our frosty windscreens, but let’s be honest—where’s the fun in that? What if you run out and need a quick fix to get your icy car sorted? Luckily, I’ve come across some quirky (and pretty creative) tricks to help clear those icy windows. I’m not saying they’re better than your trusty de-icer but if you’re stuck… needs must!

Use Warm Water In A Bag: This one’s simple but it works. Fill a zip lock bag with warm water (not too hot and certainly not boiling though, we don’t want any cracked glass) Rub it over your windscreen, check out the clear view and enjoy your toasty fingers.

Rub An Onion On Your Windscreen: Yes, really! Turns out onions aren’t just for soup—they might save you from a frosty start. The idea is to rub half an onion on your windscreen the night before a freeze. This creates a barrier that stops frost from forming. We’re not sure about this one but if you don’t mind onion-scented hands all winter, it’s worth a go!

Try Toothpaste As a Frost Fighter: This one’s minty fresh! Diluted toothpaste helps prevent frost from settling on your windows overnight. Just don’t go overboard with the paste—nobody wants streaky glass in the morning.

Use Potato Juice: Sounds strange, but spuds might be your new winter best friend. Slice a potato in half and rub the cut side directly onto your windscreen the night before. If it starts to dry out, slice off a bit more to reveal some fresh potato juice. It’s weird, but it might just work!

Make Your Own DIY De-icer: If you’re out of de-icer, you can whip up a quick alternative at home. Meteorologist Ken Weathers suggests mixing 1/3 cup of water with 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol. It’s simple and effective. (I’m not sure how many of us will have rubbing alcohol in a cupboard though. Ken’s video online has all the details if you want to give this a go). Alternatively, an easier option is a vinegar solution. Mix 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water and spray it on the windscreen the night before. It can help prevent ice from forming in the first place.

Hand Sanitiser On Locks: Car locks frozen? put a bit of hand sanitiser on your key or directly into the lock. The alcohol helps to melt the ice quickly. While these ideas are fun and practical in a pinch, the easiest and safest solution is still to stock up on de-icer. Don’t forget to clear all the snow and ice from your car, not just enough to peek through your windscreen – it’s crucial to see pedestrians, other vehicles and everything else on the road. Driving without a clear windscreen is an offence and can result in a fine with points on your licence.

From icy windows to icy roads, contact David J Millers this winter to make sure you’re getting a comprehensive car insurance quote today.

What a brilliant and funny mix of tips – Credit to Marmalade Insurance for their inspiration.

Stay Safe on the Roads!

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles

Staying safe on the road is important especially around this time of the year. From driving in darkness to black ice and storms, make sure you have car insurance in place to cover you over this winter period.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians can be unpredictable, (especially children) but they ALWAYS have priority. Slow down in busy areas and be ready for sudden surprises. Keep your brakes and tyres in top condition to stop safely when needed.

Speeding

It’s not just about sticking to the limit—adjust your speed to suit weather, traffic and road conditions. If you spot a speeding or aggressive driver, stay calm, slow down and give them space. Let them be someone else’s problem!

Phones

Your phone can wait. Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road—distractions lead to accidents. Using your phone while driving is illegal and you risk fines, points on your licence or even worse. Put it away out of sight or connect it hands-free if absolutely necessary.

Alcohol & Drugs

If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, stay well clear. Give them space, stay alert and report dangerous driving if safe to do so. Remember, erratic driving could also be due to vehicle/medical issues, so don’t jump to conclusions.

Weather

Rain, snow, or fog? Reduce your speed and ensure your tyres, wipers, and lights are in full working order and legal. Avoid large puddles, keep visibility clear and always adapt your driving to the conditions.

Parked Cars

Parking safely is just as important as driving carefully. Don’t block junctions, corners, or pavements and always check your surroundings before opening doors or moving out of spaces.

Rear-End Accidents

Generally if you go into the back of someone, insurers take the view you were driving too close and too fast and you will be held at fault.

To avoid tail-gate crashes:

Don’t tailgate—keep a safe distance.
Check blind spots before lane changes.
Use a dashcam for extra protection against scams.

Windscreen Damage

A cracked windscreen is dangerous and can impair visibility. Fix chips immediately and avoid driving with significant damage—you are usually covered for glass damage and it doesn’t effect your no claims bonus so it’s always worth checking your policy.

Junctions & Roundabouts

Be vigilant at junctions! Even with the right of way watch out for cyclists, motorbikes, pedestrians or reckless drivers. Signal clearly and match your speed to the flow of traffic when merging or exiting. TAKE EXTRA CARE AT MINI ROUNDABOUTS, always give way to traffic coming from your right.

Reversing Accidents

Before reversing, check all mirrors, cameras and blind spots—and don’t rely solely on sensors! Always look and listen for movement, especially in busy areas. Never reverse from a side road into a main road—it’s not worth the risk.

Stay safe, stay alert and remember: careful driving protects you and everyone else on the road!

Let’s Smash Another Car Insurance Myth!

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles, Insurance Brokers, Motorhome & Campervan Insurance

Car insurance myths. “Minor Modifications Don’t Need to Be Declared”

Car Insurance Myth: Many drivers believe that small modifications won’t affect their insurance and don’t need to be disclosed. This includes things such as custom wheels or minor aesthetic changes. However, even seemingly minor upgrades could impact your policy.

Car Insurance Reality: Any modifications to your vehicle, whether for aesthetics or performance, need to be disclosed to your insurer. Failure to disclose modifications could result in your policy being voided if you make a claim. Modifications can make your vehicle look more appealing, so insurers need to know about any changes to properly assess your cover.

Always speak to your broker about any changes you make to your vehicle to ensure you remain covered under your Car Insurance.

Here’s Another Myth For You About Motor Insurance

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles, Motorhome & Campervan Insurance

Motor insurance is important for all drivers, be aware of this myth.

“Protected No Claims Bonus means my premium won’t increase after a claim”

Myth: Some drivers believe that if they have no-claims bonus (NCB) protection, they won’t lose their discount, even after a motor accident.

Reality: No-claims bonus protection only allows you to make a certain number of claims before it starts affecting your discount.

Additionally, this protection doesn’t prevent your premium from rising after a claim, as insurers may still increase the base cost of your policy. You’ve only paid for the benefit with the one insurer, so other companies may not accept it.

Talk to us about whether no-claims protection is worth it for you. We can explain what it covers and how it works in practice.

Let’s blast some Motor Insurance Myths!

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles

Motor insurance can often seem confusing and with so many policies, terms and jargon. It’s no wonder there are some common misconceptions.

As an insurance broker, we hear these frequently, and it’s our job to help clarify what’s true and what’s not.

“Comprehensive Insurance Allows Me to Drive Other Cars”

Myth: Many drivers think having a comprehensive insurance policy automatically means they’re insured to drive other people’s vehicles.

Reality: While some comprehensive policies may offer third-party cover to drive other cars, this isn’t guaranteed and the level of cover is often very basic. In many cases, you won’t be covered unless it’s explicitly stated in your policy. The said ‘other’ vehicle must be insured in its own right too.

Always check the fine print or speak to your broker to confirm if your policy includes driving other vehicles and if so, under what circumstances?

Car insurance claims: How to prevent a claim

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles

Car Insurance Claim form, ready to be filled out.

No-one wants to have to make car insurance claims. Unfortunately, these things are often out of our control. What is in our control, is our actions towards avoiding such an incident that can result in making a claim.

Continue reading to discover our top 5 tips on how to reduce your chances of an accident, and in turn a claim on your car insurance:

1. Avoid tailgating

Travelling too close to the car in front, otherwise known as tailgating, is one of the leading causes of car accidents. Without leaving an appropriate amount of space between yourself and the car in front, you are putting yourself at greater risk of a collision.

Did you know?

You need at least 3 seconds to react if the car in front of you starts braking suddenly.

It is recommended that you should be able to see the tarmac and back tyres of the car in front, if you cannot, you are too close.

5 benefits of leaving space behind the car in front:

If you are hit from the rear, the space creates a buffer between yourself and the car in front, minimising possible damage
Allows room in case of roll back, if you have stopped on a hill
Leaves room to pull out and move around if the vehicle stalls or breaks down
Enables you to see further up the road
Gives you more margin for error

Be aware

Fraudulent claims are on the rise! Claimants are braking at unusual places, such as roundabouts, causing the vehicle behind to run in to the back of them.

2. Err on the side of caution

“I didn’t see the car until it was too late”

When pulling out of a minor road take the time to check for vehicles on the major road and assess the speed they’re travelling at. One of the most common causes of car accidents is not noticing the oncoming vehicle and/or misjudging the time you have to pull out onto a major road.

This could put you at blame of the car accident!

Before pulling out of a minor road, make sure your windows are clear of condensation or frost and wait until you are absolutely sure that it is safe to move on.

3. Watch your speed

Car accidents caused by travelling too fast for the road conditions are often a result of drivers rushing to their destination. Consider your journey time and plan in advance. Allow plenty of time for your journey, and if you are late – don’t panic! It is far more important that you get to your location safely, rather than timely.

4. Overtaking is overrated

Overtaking another vehicle can be a dangerous manoeuvre to make due to the difficulty in judging the time and space to complete the overtake successfully and safely. The manoeuvre is made even more difficult in certain places such as road junctions or at the brow of a hill.

If you must overtake, follow this advice:

Don’t tailgate
Use your mirrors and check your blind spots if necessary. Signal and when safe to do so then start to move out
Be careful to not immediately follow an overtaking vehicle in front of you, there may only be enough room for one vehicle
Take extra caution at night and in poor visibility. Conditions like these make it harder to accurately judge speed and distance
Think ahead and don’t overtake when there is a possible right turn the vehicle in front might make.

Most importantly, if you are ever in doubt, don’t pull out! In this circumstance, proving the other driver is to blame would be extremely difficult.

5. Don’t leave keys in the car

This may sound like an obvious point to make; nevertheless, it is so easily done.

Have you ever left your keys in your car with the engine running while you were defrosting your windows? Most of us have!

However, if your car is stolen while your keys are inside the vehicle, your insurer will not pay out. Whether you had ‘popped inside’ or ‘turned around for a second’, insurers will find these as insufficient excuses.

How to make car insurance claims

The team at David J Miller Insurance Brokers is on hand to offer help and advice. We can help in presenting your claim to the insurer and move it forward as quickly as possible.

Contact our insurance claim department directly on 01254355175 during office hours, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or, email us at claims@davidjmiller.co.uk.

Should you be involved in a car accident you can call our 24-hour motor accident helpline on 03435065794.

Car Insurance FAQ’s: Answers from the insurance experts

Nicola Harwood Car Insurance Articles

**Do I have to buy car insurance?**

This may be one of our most popular car insurance FAQ’s.

In short, if you own a vehicle, it is a legal requirement in the UK to have car insurance.

Failing to insure your vehicle can lead to serious legal repercussions.

Why is car insurance so expensive for young drivers?

This is simply because statistically younger drivers are more likely to get into an accident than those that have years’ experience of driving. However, there are ways to help keep the costs of your premium down if you are a younger driver; one popular option is installing a telematics box into your car that monitors how, where and when you are driving. By selecting a telematics insurance product, you have the opportunity to demonstrate you are a safe driver, which could helping to reduce your premium.

Does my car insurance cover everything?

While it depends on the policy and coverage you have selected, even the most comprehensive car insurance will not cover everything. At David J Miller Insurance Broker, our team of experts pride themselves on being able to find comprehensive and competitive policies suitable for your needs at that time, however, there can sometimes be some exclusions, restrictions limits to a policy. Our team will work with your needs and budget in mind to find the best fit.

Can my insurer change my policy whenever they want?

Insurers can change a policy mid-term within reason. However, your insurer is obliged to inform you in advance before any changes can be made to your policy.

Usually your insurer will try to reach you through one of these methods of communication:

Phone
Email
Letter
Through your broker

Insuring through David J Miller Insurance Broker means that you can be confident we will inform you of any changes or updates to your policy as and when they may occur. We guarantee to do our very best to keep your policy premium as low as possible, allowing you to carry on with day-to-day life knowing your insurance is in safe hands.

What is a no claims bonus?

Otherwise known as a ‘no claims discount’, a no claims bonus is a discount accumulated over up to 15 consecutive years that the policyholder goes without making any claims. This discount can be taken across insurers, you just need your no claims bonus proof and the renewal notice from your previous insurer.

Will I lose my no claims bonus after making a non-fault claim?

Positively, submitting a non-fault claim should not affect your no claims bonus and you should be able to continue accumulating your discount.

Will my insurance premium be affected after making a non-fault claim?

It is extremely probable that your premium can be affected following a non-fault claim, for example, if someone hits you while you are driving to work.

This being said, a non-fault claim should not normally affect your car insurance premium as much as an at-fault claim.

How can I prevent an insurance claim?

Accidents where you cannot prove the other party are to blame cost your money!

Read our guide on the best practices to avoid an insurance claim on your car.

How do I make an insurance claim?

Should you need to make an insurance claim, our team will be on hand to offer insurance claim help and advice on the best way to present your claim to the insurer and move the claim forwards as quickly as possible.

Contact our insurance claim department directly on 01254355175 during office hours, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Or, email us at claims@davidjmiller.co.uk.

Should you be involved in a car accident you can call our 24-hour motor accident helpline on 03435065794.

What makes David J Miller Insurance Brokers better than the well-known comparison sites?

At David J Miller, we look at things differently. We’ve seen all the television adverts and comparison websites, and we’ve decided that our customers deserve more. As a trusted and renowned name in motor insurance, you can rest assured as our insurance team has access to some of the UK’s top independent motoring insurance policies.

We understand that your car is your pride and joy. That is why alongside access to fantastic rates and competitive deals, we provide a first-class customer experience.

Haven’t found the answer you were looking for?

We are happy to help with any car insurance FAQ’s you may have, no matter how big or small!