Dubai - MENA Herald: Over one third of car owners in the UAE believe they can claim on their car insurance policy for general wear and tear, according to a survey by the Middle East's leading finance comparison group, compareit4me.com.
The survey, which questioned participants across the UAE on a selection of personal financial products, found that 34 per cent of respondents surveyed believe they can claim on their car insurance for any damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of general usage, such as worn brakes or a faulty exhaust.
More often than not, however, car insurance policies do not cover the replacement of auto parts that deteriorate with time and use, such as brake pads and tyres.
“Car insurance is generally in place to cover unpredictable events such as accidents and collisions,” explains Jon Richards, CEO of the compareit4me Group. “Wear and tear is inevitable, therefore not covered by most, if not all, car insurers in the UAE.”
The same survey also found that 44 per cent of respondents believe that the type of vehicle you drive will have a large bearing on how much they pay for car insurance, while 24 per cent cited age. Driving history and nationality were identified by 16 per cent of participants as key factors that come into play when insurers work out how much an applicant should pay for their premium.
Generally, the more expensive the car, the higher the auto insurance price. There are also a number of other factors considered in the calculation of insurance premiums, such as vehicle type, length of driving experience, accident history, age and where the applicant lives.
The survey comes after compareit4me launched its new car insurance function last month, allowing policy comparison in under three minutes.
“What is and what is not covered, and to what extent, can sometimes be cloudy,” says Richards. “With the addition of car insurance comparison to our site we are empowering to make an informed decision as to what is the most suitable and cost-effective policy for each individual user.”
The addition of car insurance comparison to the site complements the portal’s existing product range, which includes home loans, car loans, credit cards, bank accounts, personal loans and commercial loans.
