The AA is calling for changes to be made amid fears drivers could be left at risk on the roads with their car insurance policies if they are missing crucial pieces of coverage.
The motoring organisation highlighted that insurers were offering so-called “essentials”, “basics” and “value” comprehensive insurance products without the most desired elements.
A total of 84 per cent of drivers said they expect windscreen cover to be included in a comprehensive motor insurance, despite some insurers removing glass protection from “essentials” and “basics” policies.
The AA claimed this is being done without giving motorists the chance to add it onto their policy, potentially leaving them at a greater risk of having to pay out in the event of an accident.
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Insurers are being urged to clarify what is included in car insurance policies
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Only 17 per cent of more than 10,000 drivers said they would be willing to give up cover for their windscreen and glass, while three in five said they would opt out of cover when travelling in Europe.
Other options drivers would be willing to give up include ditching breakdown assistance (50 per cent) and forgoing protection for audio and sat-nav equipment (44 per cent).
The AA is now suggesting that policies which remove windscreen cover cannot be called “comprehensive” and are sold as enhanced third party, fire and theft policies.
It has also urged motorists to be wary of “essentials” and “basics” products as they may be missing crucial cover they require.
Drivers were warned that they may be unable to make a claim following an incident, with one of the most common claims being related to windscreens and glass. This can often cost hundreds of pounds to replace, often up to £700.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said it could be misleading for drivers to think “comprehensive” cover will protect them from almost everything on the road.
He added: “At the same time, ‘essentials’, ‘basics’ or ‘value’ makes drivers think that some of the broader benefits have been dropped from the policy, leaving just the core protections in place.
“However, many are discovering that windscreen cover, a part of a policy they believe is sacrosanct, has been stripped out to create products consumers don’t want and doesn’t meet their needs.
“We believe that a policy can’t be called comprehensive if it’s missing fundamental elements that drivers want and expect. Ripping out items such as windscreen, and at the same time calling it ‘essential’ feels misleading.”
He added that the AA wants the car insurance industry to “put the customer first and sell these policies as an enhanced third party fire and theft product”.
If this were to be the standard, drivers would know what they are purchasing, rather than being surprised when they need to make a claim and discover they may be rejected.
Given that windscreens and glass contribute to the bulk of claims, drivers could be left to fork out hundreds of pounds.
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Drivers may have to pay out of pocket for windscreen and glass damage
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Under the leadership of former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, the Government launched a new taskforce to tackle expensive car insurance prices by engaging with some of the industry’s key players.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.