Hoot Guide to motor insurance lawsAt Hoot, we've got a lot more to offer than just really cheap car insurance - though that's the only service we charge for. For instance, if you need advice on buying a used car, getting a fair deal at the garage, passing your MOT test or just about any other motoring-related topic, you can turn to the Hoot Guides for help. Our motor insurance experts have put together a veritable driving Bible of relevant, authoritative and up-to-date guidance, and it's all freely accessible via our website. This particular guide concerns a subject that's close to our heart here at Hoot: motor insurance laws. We'll clue you in on what insurance is all about, what your particular policy covers and what documents you'll need to stay on the right side of the law. After all, we wouldn't want you throwing that cheap car insurance rate away - the team at Hoot had to work pretty hard getting it for you! Why do I need car insurance?
We get asked this all the time - particularly by people who've just got a car insurance quote from one of our competitors.
The answer is: you need car insurance to protect other people. The most basic kind of motor insurance - third party cover - is there to compensate the other person in the event of a crash, not yourself. Third party is the kind of cover required by law in the UK; personal protection, on the other hand, is a strictly optional affair. In a nutshell, then, the purpose of motor insurance laws is to make sure any innocent party affected by a road accident can make a claim and be compensated for damages. How is my premium calculated?
Basically, an individual's car insurance premium depends on how much of a road accident risk their insurer believes them to be.
Car insurance companies are developing increasingly sophisticated ways of calculating this, but your rate still depends largely on a few straightforward details about you and your car. The first thing they'll be interested in is personal details, like your age and gender. Study after study has proved them to be some of the most important factors in determining your level of risk. Next to that, your driving history is very important. Your insurer will want to know how long you have been driving for and how many claims you have made in that time, as well as the particulars of any driving-related offences (and non-driving-related ones, for that matter) you have committed. Besides you personally, car insurance companies are also very interested in the car you drive - principally details like its make and model, age and engine size. Lastly, they'll want to know about car usage. People whose jobs or lifestyle mean they cover a lot of miles can expect to pay more than Sunday drivers. Likewise, those who lock their cars in suburban garages overnight will pay less than those parking on street corners. Types of motor insurance
As we mentioned above, the law requires that any motor vehicle driven on UK roads must be covered with a minimum of third party car insurance - but why stop there? For a few extra pounds on your premium, you'll be amazed what other stuff you can get protected.
If a rock bottom price is your top priority, however, 'third party only' is the one for you. This cheap car insurance just fulfils your legal requirements (i.e. it covers the other guy). The first step up is to 'third party, fire and theft' motor insurance, which as its name suggests also provides compensation if your car is stolen or catches fire. Generally the most expensive option is a 'fully comprehensive' policy. In addition to third party cover, this will insure you against damage caused to your car in the majority of circumstances and comes with a raft of extras. For instance, some fully comp. policies extend cover to other peoples' cars as well as your own. Don't assume you'll be covered as 'comprehensively' on your mate's Lamborghini, however - you'll usually be limited to third party only. Required documents
You must present a valid car insurance certificate, along with other compulsory documents like your MOT pass, on the request of a police officer.
There are two acceptable forms of proof. The first and most usual is the Certificate of Insurance, which is issued shortly after your policy term begins. For the first few days, however, use the cover note provided by your car insurance firm. It acts as a temporary proof of insurance until your Certificate arrives. Failure to produce a valid document on request may mean you have to do so at a local police station within seven days. Validity in other countries
Motor insurance policies purchased in the UK should meet the minimum requirements for cover in all European countries, but it's well worth checking with your car insurance company what this amounts to. Consider taking out an additional premium if you want more comprehensive protection whilst driving in the EU.
If your destination is further afield, such as Australia or the USA, you will probably need a second policy or an International Driving Permit (IDP). For more info on this, see the Hoot Guide to driving abroad. Cheap car insurance from Hoot
Whether you're looking for your first car insurance policy, thinking about upgrading your cover or planning a road trip abroad, try Hoot Car Insurance Services for a quote.
The Hoot team has an amazing track record when it comes to hunting down cheap car insurance rates for our customers, due in part to the unique way we advertise our services. Whereas other car insurance firms are content to spend millions on flashy TV spots and radio commercials - money skimmed of the top of their policyholders' premiums - we don't spend a penny. Instead, Hoot leaves all the promotion up to our customers, through word of mouth. It might sound risky, but when you see how cheap our premiums are as a result we're confident you'll want to tell all your friends about us, too. So click below to find out just how cheap car insurance can get. 
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