Car Chute

Whether it is a minor bingle or a major smash, a car accident is likely to be one of the most traumatic events we will ever experience. There is a lot to consider immediately after the crash and sometimes, when the adrenalin in pumping and nerves are frayed, it can be hard to remain focused and consider what needs to be done. Once the initial shock has worn off and you start to take stock of what has happened, it can be factors such as knowing you have a good car insurance policy that can keep you on the right track. Just like regularly maintaining your car, whether it is a car service in Sydney, a car service in Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia, that policy provides peace of mind. Here are a few tips to help you cope with a crash and what to do after it has happened. Read more…

LONDON, August 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — M&S Money has revealed a new survey that reveals thousands of drivers are risking invalidating car insurance claims by failing to make vehicle security a priority.

The poll* found that more than half (56%) of UK motorists have been victims of car crime – 12% of car owners have experienced maliciously damaged paintwork, 8% have had a windscreen smashed and 8% of motorists have been victims of theft of personal belongings from their car.

While 60% of car owners have an alarm installed in their vehicle, many risk invalidating car insurance claims by failing to activate the alarm when the vehicle is unattended.

The survey found that 40% of Brits do not always use their car’s security system. A further 12% of motorists never use their security facilities, while nearly half of people (43%) admitted to having left their cars unlocked.

The M&S Car Insurance policy states that when a vehicle is unattended drivers must ensure the car is locked, windows are closed, any security system activated and any keyless entry systems removed.

In July the 2010 British Car Crime Survey** announced that car crime had dropped by 17% in comparison to last year.

Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: “It is good to hear that car crime is falling, however it is always important to make sure vehicles are locked and secure. During the summer months, many drivers unwind windows and leave roofs open – it’s important to make sure the vehicle is secure when unattended, especially as failure to do so could invalidate any insurance claim.

“If the worst should happen and a car is broken into, M&S Car Insurance can help cover the cost of damage and loss of personal belongings. We insure up to GBP200 for theft of personal belongings and up to GBP500 if these are items are bought from M&S.”

Notes to editors:

*Figures from OnePoll. Total sample size was 3000 UK adults aged 17 and over. Of those 77% owned a car. Fieldwork was undertaken on 18th -22nd June 2010. The survey was carried out online.

**2010 British Car Crime Survey http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/bcs25.pdf

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010 the company’s 25th anniversary.

The company is a top-ten credit card provider (http:/money.marksandspencer.com/cards/credit-card/overview/credit-card/overview/) and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including family pet insurance, (http://money.marksandspencer.com/insurance/pet-insurance/overview/) home insurance (http://money.marksandspencer.com/insurance/home-insurance/overview/) and fully comp car insurance, (http://money.marksandspencer.com/insurance/car-insurance/overview/) as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

For further information please call the M&S Money press office:

Simon Coughlin Media Relations Manager M&S Money 8 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5HQ +44(0)20-7992-1574 money.marksandspencer.com

Subject Codes: PC/t.100812123108874, PR/dest.Public, PT/lang.en, IN/AUT, IN/FIN, IN/INS, IN/TRN, SU/SVY, RE/United_Kingdom

An auto insurance policy may be defined as an agreement between you and your insurance company. You purchase an auto insurance policy and pay the required premiums and in turn, your insurance company promises to pay for financial losses in the event of a car accident. It is advisable that you buy adequate auto (car) insurance policy so that you get right amount of coverage when required.

It is not always your fault if you meet up with a car accident. However, you will have to file a claim to get the insurance coverage. There are certain steps involved in filing a claim. The steps are discussed below.

1. Call police – In the event of an accident, you should at first check whether or not anyone needs medical attention. You should call the police as you need the police report for filing claim.
2. Exchange information – Exchange contact information and license plate numbers with the other parties involved in the accident.
3. Look for witnesses – It is really important to look for witnesses who’ll be willing to describe the incident if necessary; collect their contact information as well.
4. Call your insurance company – You should get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible.
5. Other party is guilty – If the other party is at fault, then you should inform his/her insurance company that you’re filing a claim through your provider and mention that you seek reimbursement for costs that your company will not bear.
6. Receive other company’s call – You may get a phone call from other insurance company, who’ll want to know your version of events that caused the accident.
7. Estimate of coverage – An adjuster checks your vehicle to make an estimate of your insurance coverage; on the basis of which your insurance company either pays the amount that you require for the repair work or pay your car’s depreciated value if it is beyond repair.

If you think that the damage settlement is too low in comparison to what you need either for the repair work or to buy a new vehicle, then you can dispute it by filling out a form of arbitration. You may have to file a lawsuit if necessary.