Insurance made simple
Total loss: does keeping the salvage change the amount received?
Read pre-accident value, salvage value and vehicle ownership together. An illustrative calculation helps frame questions about a total-loss offer.
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Motor
The answers you are looking for about motor. Choose an editorial series and explore one question at a time.
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64 articles
Insurance made simple
Does «all risks» car insurance really cover everything?
Understand own-damage motor insurance, why exclusions still apply, and how to compare excesses, cover and the insured vehicle's value.
Read articleRenew
Does zero excess apply to the same benefit at every workshop?
Before relying on zero excess, identify the benefit, workshop and access conditions in the motor insurance quotation.
Read articleThe office at 6 pm
Tall or heavy van: can the assistance service transport your vehicle?
Height, weight and equipment may matter when choosing breakdown assistance. Describe the actual van before comparing recovery distances alone.
Read articleLife in the policy
Using a trailer: does the car's registration settle the insurance question?
Identify the trailer and its use before driving. Third-party liability, damage to the trailer and transported property are separate insurance questions.
Read articleConversations at home
Hiring a car: is the deposit the same as the insurance excess?
Separate the card deposit, your liability for damage and rental protection. Releasing a deposit is not the same as paying an insurance claim.
Read articleLife doesn’t warn you
Lost car key: who pays for opening the vehicle and replacing the key?
Opening the car, transporting it and replacing a key can be treated differently. Separate the assistance service from the cost of replacement material.
Read articleInsurance made simple
Flat tyre: are assistance, repair and replacement the same benefit?
Distinguish roadside work, a spare wheel and buying a new tyre before deciding which costs are covered under your motor policy.
Read articleThe office at 6 pm
An employee uses their own car for work: which insurance is involved?
Separate a private vehicle, a work journey and personal injuries when an employee drives their own car on company business.
Read articleLife in the policy
Old and new vehicle damage: how should the report distinguish them?
Describe previous and recent car damage separately so the reported incident can be assessed accurately.
Read articleConversations at home
After a crash, how should a child's car seat enter the claim?
Include the child seat in the accident description and separately check safety instructions and the insurance assessment.
Read articleLife doesn’t warn you
Does compulsory insurance cover a fire in your own car?
Separate damage to your own vehicle from liability to other people when assessing a motor fire claim in Portugal.
Read articleInsurance made simple
Hail damaged the car: which cover should you look for?
Separate natural-event damage, glazing and bodywork when describing hail damage and checking your motor policy in Portugal.
Read articleLife in the policy
Is a garage estimate already the insurer’s authorisation to repair?
Distinguish an estimate, inspection, coverage decision and repair authorisation. A garage document does not replace the insurer’s response.
Read articleConversations at home
Lending your car for one day: what should you check about the driver?
Explain the occasional loan and check any driver conditions. A single journey and a change in regular use require different descriptions.
Read articleRenew
You reported vehicle theft to police: has the insurer been notified too?
A police report and insurer notification have different roles. Prepare contacts, documents and confirmation of receipt in the claim file.
Read articleLife in the policy
An accident in Portugal involving a foreign registration: where should you enquire?
Organise an enquiry after an accident in Portugal involving a foreign registration. Identify official channels, references and organisational roles.
Read articleThe office at 6 pm
The driver became unwell during a trip: another car or another driver?
When a driver becomes unwell, the need may concern personal assistance. Distinguish another driver from another car and check requirements.
Read articleThe condominium group
The charging cable was stolen but the car is undamaged: what should you check?
A charging cable and the vehicle are different items. Check disappearance circumstances, storage conditions, limits and excesses.
Read articleConversations at home
The car is at a workshop: can you book a hotel and claim later?
Before booking a hotel after a breakdown, check assistance terms, nights, included travellers and expense authorisation.
Read articleConversations at home
The car is being recovered: how do the occupants get home?
Vehicle recovery does not settle every journey. Check occupant transport, destinations, service limits and approved expenses.
Read articleLife doesn’t warn you
The same fault stopped the car again: is another recovery call enough?
Repeated breakdowns need context. Organise repair records and clarify the terms and limits of motor assistance.
Read articleLife doesn’t warn you
Your electric car has no charge: where would recovery take it?
Compare assistance for an electric car with no charge: recovery destination, charging points, occupant transport and service limits.
Read articleInsurance made simple
A car is written off: will insurance always clear the finance?
A motor settlement and an outstanding finance balance can differ. Prepare questions about limits, recipients and the applicable terms.
Read articleInformation to help you understand insurance. Conditions and acceptance depend on each contract.
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