General Accident Car Insurance Explained

General Accident Car Insurance: A Comprehensive Overview

General Accident, a name that has been a part of the insurance landscape for over a century, is a brand operating under the umbrella of Aviva, one of the UK's largest insurance providers. While the parent company, Aviva, offers a broad spectrum of insurance products, General Accident has carved out a specific niche for itself, focusing exclusively on providing car insurance. This specialisation allows them to concentrate their expertise and resources on delivering tailored motor insurance solutions. If you're looking for car cover and are considering General Accident, understanding their offerings, how to get in touch, and what their customers say is crucial. This article delves into the details of General Accident car insurance to help you make an informed decision.

What is General Accident Car Insurance?

General Accident is an insurer that is part of the larger Aviva group. With a history spanning more than 100 years, General Accident has established itself as a dedicated provider of car insurance. They do not offer other types of insurance, such as home or travel insurance, meaning their entire focus is on motor-related policies. This singular focus suggests a deep understanding of the automotive insurance market and the needs of drivers.

Types of Car Insurance Policies Offered

General Accident provides three primary types of car insurance policies, catering to different levels of coverage and driver needs:

1. Third Party, Fire and Theft

This is a more basic level of cover. It typically includes:

• Injuries to others: Covered.
• Damage to other people's property: Covered.
• Theft: Covered.
• Fire damage: Covered.
• Repairs: Covered if the damage is caused by fire or theft.
• Legal costs: Optional.
• Medical expenses: Not covered.
• Courtesy car provision: Not provided.
• Breakdown cover: Not provided.
• Windscreen cover: Not provided.
• Personal item cover: Not provided.
• Locks and keys cover: Not provided.

2. Comprehensive Cover

Comprehensive insurance offers the highest level of protection. It includes everything covered by Third Party, Fire and Theft, plus:

• Repairs: Covered for damage to your own vehicle, not just from fire or theft.
• Legal costs: Optional.
• Medical expenses: Up to £2,500 in personal accident cover.
• Courtesy car provision: Provided.
• Breakdown cover: Optional.
• Windscreen cover: Provided.
• Personal item cover: Up to £150.
• Locks and keys cover: Up to £300.

3. Telematics (Black Box) Insurance

General Accident also offers a telematics policy, often referred to as 'black box' insurance. This type of policy is particularly beneficial for younger or less experienced drivers, or those looking to prove they are safe drivers to potentially reduce their premiums. Here's how it works:

• How it works: A device (either a self-plugin or professionally installed) is fitted to your car to monitor your driving behaviour.
• Driving Score: Your driving is scored based on factors like speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering. A score above 70 for all journeys is considered good, while a score under 50 may be viewed as unsafe.
• Policy Cancellation Risk: Consistently poor driving may put your policy at risk of cancellation.
• Young Driver Discount: Drivers aged 17-24 may be eligible for a special telematics price. Safe driving can lead to personalised renewal prices, potentially saving money.
• Coverage: Generally aligns with comprehensive cover, including benefits like personal accident cover, personal item cover, and locks and keys cover, subject to policy terms.

It's important to note that the specifics of what each policy includes can vary, so always check the policy documentation for precise details.

How to Contact General Accident

General Accident primarily operates as an online car insurance provider. This means that many interactions, such as making changes to your policy or managing your account, are best handled through their digital platforms. However, they do offer some phone support, but with specific limitations:

• Phone Support Availability: You can typically only speak to someone on the phone if you already have a quote, or if you are within the first or last 28 days of your current policy.
• Finding the Phone Number: The relevant telephone number can usually be found within your online account, often in a section labelled 'My Policies'.
• Alternative Contact Methods: If you cannot reach them by phone or prefer not to, General Accident also offers email support and an online chat service.

For those who prioritise frequent and easily accessible phone support for all aspects of their insurance, it might be worth exploring other providers. You can compare insurance from a wide range of providers using comparison services.

Making Changes or Cancelling Your Policy

Given their online-first approach, if you need to make changes to your General Accident car insurance policy or wish to cancel it, you will generally need to do so through your online account or by sending them an email. This ensures that all modifications are properly recorded and processed.

How to Make a Claim with General Accident

If you need to make a claim on your General Accident car insurance, they provide a dedicated claims number:

Claims Number: 0345 030 8076

This claims line is available 24 hours a day, ensuring you can report an incident at any time.

General Accident Reviews and Customer Feedback

Customer reviews can offer valuable insights into the service and reliability of an insurance provider. General Accident has received a significant number of reviews on platforms like Trustpilot:

A rating of 4.2 stars on Trustpilot, based on over 4,000 reviews, generally indicates a positive customer experience. This suggests that a majority of customers are satisfied with the service provided by General Accident. However, as with any service, individual experiences can vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does General Accident have a phone number?

Yes, General Accident does have a phone number, but it is primarily for those who have a quote or are within the first or last 28 days of their policy. The claims number is available 24 hours a day.

What types of car insurance does General Accident offer?

General Accident offers three main types of car insurance: Third Party, Fire and Theft; Comprehensive; and Telematics (Black Box) insurance.

Is General Accident part of Aviva?

Yes, General Accident is an insurer that is part of the Aviva group.

Can I manage my policy online with General Accident?

Yes, General Accident is predominantly an online provider, so you can manage your policy, make changes, and potentially cancel through your online account.

Is telematics insurance suitable for me?

Telematics insurance can be beneficial if you are a young driver, a new driver, or if you want to demonstrate that you are a safe driver to potentially lower your premiums. It requires your driving to be monitored.

What happens if my driving is poor on a telematics policy?

If your driving score is consistently low (under 50), your policy may be at risk of cancellation, as it indicates unsafe driving habits.

Conclusion

General Accident, backed by the strength of Aviva, offers a focused range of car insurance products. With options from basic Third Party, Fire and Theft to comprehensive cover and innovative telematics policies, they cater to a variety of drivers. While their customer service leans towards online channels, the availability of a 24-hour claims line and generally positive customer reviews suggest a reliable option for car insurance. If you're looking for a straightforward, digitally managed car insurance policy with a long-standing provider, General Accident is certainly worth considering.

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