06/04/2002
Understanding your motor insurance policy is crucial for peace of mind on the road. AXA Insurance UK plc, a prominent provider across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, offers a comprehensive range of motor insurance products. While AXA Insurance UK plc underwrites most sections of your policy, it's important to note that Section L, Breakdown cover, is underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance SA, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary and part of the global AXA Group. This guide aims to demystify common queries and processes related to your AXA car insurance, ensuring you have all the information you need.
- Who is AXA Insurance UK plc?
- Making Temporary Changes to Your Policy
- Checking the Status of Your Motor Claim
- Policyholder Passes Away: What to Do
- No Claims Discount (NCD) and Step-Back Scales
- Requesting No Claims Discount (NCD) Proof
- Green Cards and International Travel
- Maximum Limit for Foreign Use Cover
- Motor Trade Insurance
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is AXA Insurance UK plc?
AXA Insurance UK plc is the underwriter for the majority of your motor insurance policy. They are responsible for providing the cover detailed in your schedule and certificate of motor insurance. The policyholder is the individual named on these documents, who bears the primary responsibility for the policy.
Making Temporary Changes to Your Policy
Life can be unpredictable, and you might need to make temporary adjustments to your policy, such as adding a vehicle or a driver. AXA's approach to temporary changes is straightforward. To ascertain if a vehicle or driver is acceptable for a temporary period, you are required to process this as if it were a permanent change on the system. If the change is approved as permanent, it is also considered acceptable for temporary inclusion. For specific pricing details or to discuss your needs, you can contact AXA directly on 0330 024 6884 or via email.
Temporary Additional Vehicle or Driver Acceptance Terms
When considering temporary additions, it's vital to understand the acceptance terms. The process involves checking the acceptability of the vehicle or driver as if it were a permanent change. This ensures that any temporary cover meets the same stringent criteria. If you need to add a driver who is not a UK resident, specific procedures and potential price adjustments may apply. Again, contacting AXA is the best way to get accurate information on these circumstances.
Submitting Your Cover Note for Temporary Changes
If you have successfully processed your temporary change via the telephone or your system (if it has the capability), you do not need to send your physical cover note. Instead, you must provide the cover note number and policy number via email. However, if the change has not been processed through these channels, you will need to call AXA on 0330 024 6884 with all the relevant vehicle and driver details, including the cover note number.
Checking the Status of Your Motor Claim
Dealing with a motor claim can be stressful, and knowing the status of your claim can provide much-needed clarity. AXA offers an online tracking tool called eServe. If you are already registered for eServe, you can simply log in to track your claim's progress. For those who are not yet registered, AXA provides information on the eServe pages about how to learn more about the tool and how to register. This digital solution aims to keep you informed every step of the way.
Policyholder Passes Away: What to Do
In the unfortunate event that the policyholder passes away, there are specific procedures to follow to ensure the motor insurance remains valid and compliant.
New Vehicle Owner
If there is a new owner for the vehicle, the existing policy needs to be cancelled and re-keyed as new business under the new owner's details. This ensures the policy accurately reflects the current ownership and usage of the vehicle.
No New Vehicle Owner
If there isn't a new owner for the vehicle, the policy can continue. However, it is mandatory that the policy is transferred into the names of the executors of the estate. The named drivers previously listed on the policy can continue to drive the vehicle. If this transfer results in an additional premium, you should contact AXA on 0330 024 6884 for clarification and to process the change.
No Claims Discount (NCD) and Step-Back Scales
Your No Claims Discount (NCD) is a valuable benefit that rewards you for claim-free driving. AXA has specific step-back scales that determine how your NCD is affected after making a claim.
NCD Step Back Scale
The table below illustrates how your NCD is reduced based on the number of claims made within a policy year:
| Years NCD | 1 Claim | 2 Claims | 3 Claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Protected No Claims Discount (PNCD) Step Back Scale
If you have Protected No Claims Discount (PNCD), the impact of claims on your NCD is different. The following table outlines the PNCD step-back scale:
| No. of years NCD | No. of claims in any 3 year period of insurance | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Claim | 2 Claims | 3 Claims | |
| 0 years | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 1 year | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2 years | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 3 years | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 4 years | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | Nil |
| 6 years | 6 years | 6 years | Nil |
| 7 years | 7 years | 7 years | Nil |
| 8 years | 8 years | 8 years | Nil |
| 9 years | 9 years | 9 years | Nil |
Requesting No Claims Discount (NCD) Proof
To request proof of your No Claims Discount, it's important to note that this can only be provided for policies that have been cancelled or have lapsed. You will need to send an email to AXA including the following essential information:
- Brokerage Name
- Customer's Full Name
- Customer's Address
- Policy Number
- Vehicle Registration
- Confirmation of where you would like the NCD proof sent.
If you are not the holding broker for the policy during its active period, you must explicitly state in your email that you have received permission from the customer or the holding broker to obtain this proof. Without this explicit permission, AXA cannot process your request.
Green Cards and International Travel
When travelling abroad with your vehicle, understanding the requirements for Green Cards is essential. A Green Card is an internationally recognised document that serves as proof of your minimum legal liability cover in the country you are visiting. It is crucial to remember that the Green Card itself does not provide insurance cover; you must always carry your Certificate of Insurance.
Which Countries Require a Green Card?
While not always necessary, a Green Card is compulsory for travel in certain countries. The table below outlines countries where a Green Card is required. If a country is not listed, AXA cannot provide cover, even with an additional premium, as they fall outside the Green Card system.
Green Cards are NOT required for travel in:
Andorra, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Green Cards are compulsory in:
Belarus, Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
How to Request a Green Card
Before requesting a Green Card, verify if it is indeed required for your destination. To request a Green Card, please email AXA with the following details:
- Brokerage Name
- Customer's Full Name
- Customer's Address
- Policy Number
- Vehicle Registration
- Preferred delivery method (Post to broker / Post to client)
- Start date of the Green Card
- End date of the Green Card
- A list of ALL countries you will be travelling to.
- Names of all drivers, including temporary drivers, who will be using the vehicle abroad. All drivers must be named on the policy.
Ensuring all drivers, including any temporary ones, are named on the policy and their details are provided is vital for the Green Card's validity.
Maximum Limit for Foreign Use Cover
Your AXA motor insurance policy typically allows you to drive abroad for up to 93 days within any single policy period without needing to provide prior notification. No additional premium is charged for this facility, but the duration is capped at 93 days per annual policy cover. It is important that any trips you inform AXA about are noted on your client file or the broker's records.
Extending Foreign Use Cover
If you anticipate needing to drive abroad for longer than the standard 93 days, you must contact AXA on 0330 024 6884 to request an extension. To help AXA review your request, you will need to provide supporting documentation. Acceptable proof for extensions typically includes:
| Reason for Extension | Acceptable Proof | Unacceptable Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Insurance | Certificate of insurance from other insurer | SORN declaration |
| Vehicle Sold | Proof of sale from DVLA or letter headed confirmation of sale from the garage | N/A |
| Vehicle Scrapped | DVLA letter of confirmation | N/A |
| Vehicle Written-off | DVLA letter confirming vehicle has been scrapped OR confirmation from claims that the vehicle has been scrapped | N/A |
| Schedule of alternate insurance | Certificate of insurer from other insurer | Confirmation email from alternate insurer/broker |
Motor Trade Insurance
AXA also offers specialised Motor Trade insurance policies designed to meet the needs of businesses in the automotive sector. These policies provide an integrated package of covers, including:
- Material Damage, including Equipment Breakdown.
- Road Risks with a £10 million Third Party Property Damage (TPPD) limit as standard.
- Public and Products Liability providing indemnity against defective workmanship, with a £10 million TPPD limit as standard.
- Legal Expenses cover up to £50,000.
In addition to these standard covers, AXA provides a range of additional optional covers to further tailor the policy to the specific requirements of your clients' businesses. This flexibility ensures that businesses can obtain the precise level of protection they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AXA Car Plus?
Information regarding specific product names like 'AXA Car Plus' was not detailed in the provided text. For details on this product, please contact AXA directly.
How do I cancel my policy?
To request a cancellation, you should email AXA with the following information:
- Policy Number
- Policyholder's Name
- Policyholder's Address
- Renewal date
- Effective date of cancellation
- Cancellation reason
Upon receiving your email and satisfactory information, AXA will contact you to process the backdated cancellation.
This comprehensive guide should provide a solid foundation for understanding your AXA motor insurance. For any specific queries not covered here, always refer to your policy documents or contact AXA directly.
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