An Insurance Question.

[warren t claim]

I know we have plenty of threads knocking about covering the thorny question of insurance so I'll keep this simple.

 

If having car insurance WASN'T a legal requirement would you buy it?

 

I believe that New Zealand has a system where car insurance is optional and their society hasn't collapsed so could having car insurance as an optional extra work here in Blighty?

[cobblers]

Definitely. It only costs me something like £240 a year, which is a fraction of the cost of the repairs if I even cause the very slightest accident. I think even when I was paying £2100 a year I'd have had the same opinion - One mistake without insurance could financially cripple me for years.

[dollywobbler]

I'd insure the cars that cost me money. The shite I often drive around in? Not sure I'd bother. The value is so low that the excess probably wouldn't cover 'owt anyway.

 

Biggest problem I reckon is that the new drivers would perhaps lose any care they had if they weren't having to pick up the tab for their mistakes.

[e287yba]

New Zealand has third party "no fault" road vehicle injury cover for all, paid for from a levy on road vehicle fuel and licensing fees.

 

So there is basic motor insurance in force there to cover injuries caused by my driving in to a queue of people waiting for the bus (although I would have to pay out of my own poclet for the bus stop I knocked over getting to them), even if as a driver I chose not to purchase any motor insurance.

[meggersdog]

You would have to have some sort of "road risk" policy.I know most of us run around in old snotters that cost as much to insure as to buy but what happens if you are at fault ? I was chatting to the local garage owner the other week and he'd just replaced a headlight bulb in an Audi A5.Trade the bulb cost £120.00 that's right 120 quid for a bulb.He also mentioned the cost of a headlamp unit for a Citroen C4 (with the swivelly headlights) £800.00 each.A minor bump on a modern can easily write it off.

[Lord Sterling]

I believe that New Zealand has a system where car insurance is optional

 

Same thing in I heard about in Kuwait (And probably the rest of the Middle East), Insurance is an option, not a legal requirement.

[STUNO]

New Zealand has third party "no fault" road vehicle injury cover for all, paid for from a levy on road vehicle fuel and licensing fees.

 

Not quite. Motor vehicle insurance is not required for anyone. There is also a no fault personal accident scheme funded through the taxation system by various targeted taxations on things such as fuel tax, vehicle tax and income tax. This is known as ACC. ACC will cover you if you fall off a ladder at home, chop your legs off at work or wrap your car round a telegraph pole, their basic purpose is to repair and rehabilitate the person. I have never needed their services so am not sure of the workings, but do know that politics are at play within ACC to its detriment. Another side of this is the payoff, you cannot sue anyone for compensation etc I.E. whiplash.

The ACC website may be educational.

http://www.acc.co.nz/

 

And AA insurance

http://www.aa.co.nz/

click on insurance

and it's not who I insure with !