What factors impact the price of my quote?

New Policy - Your Direct Line car insurance quote is a reflection on how likely you are to make a claim and how expensive that claim could be. It's based on several different factors relating to you, your car and surroundings. Driver age and experience On average, experienced drivers are less likely to have an accident compared to newer drivers. However, reported statistics indicate that the risk of being involved in an accident increases after the age of 70, and drivers over 70 and especially over 80 years, are more likely to be at fault when they crash. Where you live Some areas are riskier than others. Accidents are more likely if you live in an area with relatively high traffic levels. The higher numbers of pedestrians in cities can also increase the likelihood of injured parties. What you do for work Your job could influence the hours you work, the time you travel and the amount of driving you do. Regulatory changes These are changes made by the Government, such as larger payouts or the removal of legal costs for specific claims. Traffic levels The level of traffic on UK roads will change over time, influenced by things like the cost of petrol. When overall levels of traffic change, so do overall levels of claim frequency. Type of vehicle you drive Your car's value, engine size and desirability could increase the risk of it being stolen or the cost of it being repaired. How far you drive The more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. Previous claims or convictions It's important you tell us about these events, or else it could invalidate your policy should you need to make a future claim. Industry trends This could include higher prices for parts and labour, patterns in car theft and the types of claims being made. Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) Government changes to IPT could unavoidably increase your quote Renewal Policy - There are many reasons why the cost of your car insurance may have changed on renewal, with some having a bigger impact than others. If you choose to automatically renew, you can switch to manual renewal at any time. You'll still get a renewal invite before the policy end date, but cover will stop if other arrangements aren't made. If you do choose the convenience of automatic renewal, your renewal price won't be any higher than one given to a new customer with like-for-like details. Your premium is based on several factors relating to you, your car and your surroundings. Claims or convictions Your claims and conviction history is taken into consideration when pricing your policy. Inflation Inflation increases the price of goods and services, impacting Direct Line’s claims and general expenses. Policy premiums will reflect such changes. Crime rate A spate of crimes resulting in more car insurance claims could see premiums increase to reflect the new risk level of your car’s location. Traffic levels The level of traffic on UK roads will change over time, influenced by things like the cost of petrol. When overall levels of traffic change, so do overall levels of claim frequency. How far you drive The more miles you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. Industry trends This could include higher prices for parts and labour, patterns in car theft and the types of claims being made. Changes to Insurance Premium Tax Government changes to IPT could unavoidably increase your quote.

What do I need to get a car insurance quote?

Car details - Your car's registration number (or its make, model and year), as well as its value, purchase date and annual mileage. Personal details - Your address, driving license info, previous claims and other named drivers on your policy. Policy start date - An inaccurate or change in start date may affect your premium. No Claim Discount - Details of any claim-free driving could reduce your premium. We may require proof.

Will my price be different if I choose to renew automatically?

If you choose to renew automatically, your renewal won't be any higher than if you choose to renew manually. If you don't select automatic renewal, you'll still get a renewal invite before your policy end date. However, cover will stop on the policy end date if you haven't contacted us to renew it. If you do choose the convenience of automatic renewal, then you will not need to contact us next year to renew your policy.

Can I transfer my No Claim Discount (NCD) to another individual?

Yes, NCD can also be swapped between the policyholder and their spouse/partner, provided that the spouse/partner has held their licence long enough to accrue that level of NCD and lives at the same address as the policyholder. Your 'partner' is defined as an individual you are in a relationship with and living with, but are not married to or have not had a Civil Partnership Ceremony.

Driving other cars is a standard inclusion under our private car policies and allows the policy holder to drive cars that are not owned by them or hired to them, providing they have permission of the vehicle owner to use the vehicle. However, there are restrictions to this benefit such as age (must be over 25 at policy inception / renewal date) and occupation. To find out if you have Driving Other Cars cover, check your certificate of insurance. The cover provides protection against legal liability for death or bodily injury to a third party and damage to third party property. The cover is limited to third party only and should be viewed as emergency cover. Your 'partner' is defined as an individual you are in a relationship with and living with, but are not married to or have not had a Civil Partnership Ceremony.

Can I add a temporary additional vehicle to my policy?

Yes, policyholders can add temporary additional vehicles to their policy for up to a maximum of 90 days in a period of cover. Please call us on 0345 246 8706 for more information.

Are my spouse and I covered for business use?

Business cover will be included automatically (when your policy is purchased through our website) for you and your spouse or partner if you have had a civil partnership ceremony and live at the same address, unless either of you hold one of the following occupations: Motor Trade Retired Housewife/Househusband Student Unemployed Chauffeur working on a hire and reward basis Courier/Driver working on a hire and reward basis and/or delivering goods that they or their employer do not own In these cases the vehicle may only be used for Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP) purposes. In addition we cannot offer insurance where the vehicle is taken Airside (near to aircraft) or is used for paid driving tuition or where the policy holder or their spouse/partner is a foreign diplomat with immunity. For all other occupations the vehicle may be used in connection with your business or those of your spouse, partner or civil partner (not business partner).If you require additional drivers to have business use or are uncertain about the type of use you require, please call our Customer Hotline. If you are an existing customer, your policy documents will confirm which cover applies to the policy. If you are in doubt about any of the above please contact the Customer Hotline on 0345 246 8701 . Please note : business cover is required where your occupation requires you or your spouse/partner to travel to more than one permanent place of work. You will need business cover if you or your spouse/partner has more than one occupation.

Essentials | Direct Line

Which Direct Line car cover is right for you?

We offer three levels of comprehensive car insurance; Essentials, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus.
We also offer Third Party, Fire and Theft.

Our comprehensive cover levels

	Essentials Our entry-level cover has everything you need to get on the road.	Comprehensive Covers more than the essentials, such as claims made against you and if your car is stolen.	Comprehensive Plus Our top level cover goes the extra mile with higher cover limits and extras included.
You'll get a replacement car at no extra cost for the duration of your car’s repair if it’s being fixed by one of our approved repairers. For Courtesy Car, it will be a small hatchback with an engine size of 1000cc, Guaranteed Hire Car will also be a hatchback but isn't limited to a 1000cc engine, and Guaranteed Hire Car Plus will be a similar-sized car to your own. You'll still get a hire car for up to 21 days in a row if you're using your own garage or if your car has been written off or stolen.	Courtesy car	Guaranteed Hire Car	Guaranteed Hire Car Plus
If your car’s less than a year old (Comp) or two years old (Comp Plus) and you’re its first and only registered owner, we’ll replace it with the same make and model if it’s written off or can’t be recovered after being stolen.		If car is less than a year old	If car is less than two years old
If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver that isn’t your fault, we’ll protect your claim-free years and also cover your excess.
We’ll pay for one of our approved repairers to replace or repair a broken windscreen, sunroof or window. Subject to an excess.
You can drive other cars as long as you have permission from the vehicle owner. There are restrictions to this benefit, such as age (must be over 25 at policy start / renewal date) and occupation.
With our Fair claim commitment, your No claim discount is safe if the damage is caused by; potholes or poor road maintenance, theft from or of your car, being hit while parked, flood damage, if you hit or are hit by an animal, or hit by an object or debris (excluding vehicles).
If you’re involved in a car crash and you’re unable to drive your car, we’ll arrange a taxi to take you, your passengers, pets and belongings to one destination in the UK.
We’ll help if either you or your partner are injured or killed in a car accident.	Up to £5,000	Up to £5,000	Up to £10,000
We’ll pay if your clothes or belongings are damaged due to a fire, theft, or accident.		Up to £250	Up to £500
If you can’t drive after an accident and you need to stay in a hotel, we’ll help cover those costs.		Up to £250	Up to £300
If your keys are lost or damaged, we’ll cover the cost to replace them.		Up to £1000	Up to £1000

View our full car insurance policy booklet

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If you have a minimum of 4 years no claim discount, with no more than one fault claim within the past three years for all drivers combined, then you will be eligible to purchase No Claim Discount Protection.

Having No Claim Discount Protection means that your No Claim Discount (NCD) will not be affected by:

One claim made during the current period of cover, or by
Two claims arising in the three preceding years of insurance

You will cease to be eligible for the benefit if claims exceed the above number. However your premium may still increase following a claim.

Breakdown cover is one of those things you're glad to have when things go wrong.

In partnership with Green Flag, we offer four choices of breakdown cover to provide you with 24/7 assistance, 365 days a year plus unlimited callouts to breakdowns (this excludes repeated calls for the same incident).

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Motor Legal Protection will provide up to £100,000 of legal costs to help you to claim, where no other insurance policy will cover your losses, as long as there is a more than 50% chance that your claim will succeed.

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We'll keep you moving with a similar physical sized hire car to your own, plus:

Choose one of our approved repairers and you can keep it until your car is fixed.
You'll still get a hire car for up to 21 days in a row if yours is written off, stolen or you prefer to use your own garage.
We'll also cover the travel costs if your car is stolen or you have an accident abroad - up to £50 a day and up to a maximum of £500 over the 21 days following your claim, if you have extended your cover to that country.

Comes as an optional extra only with Comprehensive cover and as standard with Comprehensive Plus cover with Direct Line Car Insurance. Excludes windscreen claims and customer delayed claims.

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