The Value of Car Insurance - Crunch Time!

Car insurance is of course something most of us by as a 'grudge' purchase or to meet our legal requirements as law abiding citizens. That said statistics suggest one in ten drivers on the roads in the UK doesn't have motor insurance so obvioulsy not all of us feel the need to comply with the law! Even though insurance isn't something you might relish buying it's essential to have the right kind of cover and that you understand exactly what you are and aren't covered for. When it comes to the crunch - literally if you're unfortunate enough to have a smash! - the value of your insurance comes into it's own. This is the moment of truth when you discover whether that £30 you saved has actually cost you money as you don't have the cover you need.
Some key things to look at include -
The Policy Excess, or the amount of the claim you will be required to pay yourself. Young and high risk drivers are particularly at risk of getting caught out here. For example, if you have a £500 excess but you're beloved Ford Fiesta is only valued at £600 the value of 'full comp' cover is debatable.
Courtesy Car. Claims take take weeks to settle and if your car is taken away for inspection or written off and there are any complications in agreement of value how will you cope without transport?
Legal Expenses Cover. I'd advise as essential nowadays. The insurance cost of a few pounds is really great value for money. Some brokers will throw this in with your car insurance, others will try and 'up sell' it to you to make some more commission. Try asking for it to be included 'for free' - if the broker's making money on your main car insurance policy he can afford this.
Finally, look at the Claims Service. You will need 24 hours 356 days service and most offer this. The current big issue is 'UK Claims' or 'Offshore.' I wouldn't be put off by 'offshore' - we've all heard horror stories about Indian Call Centres but the reality is most are very well run and are strictly controlled by UK management. The whole industry is very tightly regulated by the 'FSA' (Financial Services Authority) and if things do go wrong you are in a very strong position as a customer - but this may all take time of course.
A few more things to think about then when you're searching for car insurance. Again my advice is start with the 'screenscrapers' and comparison sites but do your homework, know what it is you're buying and if in doubt pick up the phone to ask.