Automobiles Cars, motorcycles, buses, insurance
Car insurance is one that covers incidents related to driving a car (car, motorcycle, bus, truck, bicycle…) both in the event of an accident and a breakdown.
In the case of motor vehicles, it is mandatory that whoever drives the car has, at least, civil liability insurance. This is the basic insurance that covers physical and material damage that the driver may cause to third parties.
In addition, it is expected that when contracting car insurance we contract other coverage such as windows, theft, fire, own damage, etc.
Auto Insurance Rights: What You Need to Know to Avoid Trouble
- The consumer must know all the conditions of his car insurance policy, to avoid problems with his company. The small print of these insurance policies deserves special attention, since abusive clauses can be found in it, such as, for example, that it is the company itself that decides whether or not to cover a specific loss.
- It is convenient to search for insurance in several companies and compare the prices and coverage of each policy.
- If you want to cancel the insurance, notify the company in writing at least one month before it expires.
- Your insurer may only increase the annual cost of the premium if it is communicated to you in writing two months before it expires.
- If your vehicle will be driven by someone under 25 years of age or someone with less than 2 years of experience on their driving license, notify the company.
- If you cannot find a company that wants to insure you, you can turn to the Insurance Compensation Consortium.
- In the event of an accident, the insurance company must be notified. You can do this through the ‘European Accident Report’, which is a friendly declaration of the accident that we have had with the vehicle, or the report filled out by the Local Police or the Civil Guard. This documentation must be signed by all the parties involved in the incident, if the other party does not want to sign it is necessary to call the Police.
- In the event of a total loss, the ‘proportional part’ of the premium paid and not consumed cannot be claimed from the insurance company, since the contract is annual and its validity is understood to be until the expiration date, even if the insured vehicle no longer exists.
How to make a claim with a car insurance company
If the insured or insured has a problem with his car insurance company, he has several legal ways to defend his rights in car insurance:
- Claim before the Customer Service of the insurance company. It is necessary to send the claim by certified mail with acknowledgment of receipt or burofax.
- If two months after sending the claim the consumer has not received a response from the insurer, or if this is not satisfactory, they can file their claim with the Complaints Service of the General Directorate of Insurance and Pension Funds. This body has four months to issue a resolution, although its decisions are not binding on insurance companies.
- If the insurer adhered to the Consumer Arbitration System, you can request a Consumer Arbitration, a free way of extrajudicial resolution of conflicts.
- Lawsuit. If the amount claimed does not exceed 2,000 euros, it is not necessary to have a lawyer or solicitor.
If you have had a problem with your car insurance and want to file a claim with your insurance company, you can contact a consumer association such as Actor Consumer to receive specialized advice.