- Four out of five motorists want to skip out on windscreen cover and many deals
The AA is calling for more ‘clarity’ for car insurance policies, as many offers are marketed as comprehensive windscreen damage cover.
Many auto insurers create so-called ‘essentials’, ‘basics’ and ‘value’ comprehensive insurance products that exclude coverage for things customers want and expect.
A survey of 10,237 motorists shows that 84 percent expect windshield coverage to be part of a comprehensive car insurance policy.
Yet some insurers are removing glass protection from their ‘essentials’ and ‘basics’ products, without giving consumers the option to add it to their policy.
When asked what motorists would be willing to lose if they took out a comprehensive ‘essentials’ policy, only 17 percent would be willing to give up cover for their windscreen and glass.
By comparison, three-fifths would prefer not to have cover when driving in Europe, with half willing to forego roadside assistance and more than two-fifths willing to forego protection for audio and navigation equipment.
Crackdown: The AA wants insurance policies to be clearer around windscreen cover
As part of an AA campaign, the automotive association is recommending that policies that remove the windscreen cover cannot be called ‘comprehensive’ and are sold as enhanced third-party fire and theft policies.
In addition, the AA warns drivers to be wary of ‘essential’ and ‘basic’ products and ensure the policy they buy provides the cover they need.
Many motorists only discover that they cannot make a claim after an incident, with one of the most common car insurance claims relating to the windscreen and glass.
Replacing windscreens, side windows and panoramic roofs can cost hundreds of euros.
According to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), car insurance premiums now average £612 per year.
Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of road policy, said: ‘Comprehensive car insurance gives drivers the impression that whatever happens they will get the help they need.
‘At the same time, ‘essentials’, ‘basics’ or ‘value’ lead administrators to believe that some of the broader benefits have been removed from the policy, leaving only the core protections.
‘We believe that a policy cannot be called comprehensive if it lacks fundamental elements that the director wants and expects. Taking out things like a windshield and calling it ‘essential’ at the same time feels misleading.”