Collingwood Insurance car insurance

Collingwood Insurance car insurance review

Here's the lowdown on car insurance on offer through Collingwood Insurance Services, which specialises in high-risk drivers.

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Liz Edwards

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Are you paying higher premiums for your car insurance because you’re considered a high-risk driver? If you’re a learner driver, aged under 25 or over 50, or you have a conviction, Collingwood may be able to help. This specialist insurance provider claims to find competitive rates, even for high-risk customers.

Who is Collingwood?

Collingwood Insurance Services Ltd is a specialist car insurance provider for learner drivers and taxi drivers as well as high-risk drivers such as those aged under 25 or over 50, or those with a previous conviction.

What are Collingwood’s levels of cover?

MCE offers three standard types of cover but these policies can be customised to suit you.

Third party

Third party cover is the minimum level of cover legally required by all drivers in the UK, and is the minimum level of cover offered by Collingwood. If you cause an accident, you’ll be covered for damage to third party vehicles or property. It won’t however, cover any damage to your own car.

Third party, fire and theft

This is the same level of cover as third party but with the added protection against any fire damage to your car or theft of it.

Comprehensive

This is the highest level of cover you can have. It has the same protection as the other two levels, in addition to covering your vehicle against accidental damage and vandalism.

What types of car insurance are available?

Learner Driver car insurance

If you’re learning to drive, you’ll be able to select either a short-term or annual car insurance policy for your own car. And if you’re learning to drive in someone else’s car, you can choose between short-term or annual insurance on their car, which will allow you to make a claim if necessary that won’t affect the car owner’s no-claims bonus on their own insurance policy. If you’re lucky enough to pass your driving test before your insurance runs out, you’ll be able to cancel and get a refund for the remaining unused cover.
Features of an annual policy with comprehensive cover include:

  • Windscreen cover
  • Accidental damage
  • Repair and theft cover
  • Add another person onto your policy, such as a parent or spouse, to drive your car free of charge
  • Accelerated no-claims bonus with 10 months claim-free and uninterrupted cover

What is covered under my policy?

Cover benefitsThird partyThird party, fire and theftComprehensive
Liability to other people✓✓✓
Fire and theft–✓✓
Accidental damage––✓
Medical expenses––✓
Windscreen cover––✓
Courtesy car––✓
Audio equipment cover––✓
Young Driver car insurance

If you’re a safe yet inexperienced driver aged 17-24, you’re considered one of the higher-risk groups when it comes to insurance. However, by selecting a telematics (or “black box”) car insurance policy, it could help to reduce premiums. The telematics box is fitted to your car, which will then monitor your driving and braking habits. As a result, only you as the policyholder can drive the car under this policy.

Features of this policy with comprehensive cover include:

  • Windscreen repairs
  • No mileage restrictions and no curfews
  • Lower excess applied if an approved repairer is used
  • Courtesy car
  • Theft tracker with a GPS signal

What is covered under my policy?

Cover benefitsThird partyThird party, fire and theftComprehensive
Liability to other people✓✓✓
Fire and theft–✓✓
Accidental damage with excess––✓
Windscreen cover––✓
Courtesy car––✓
Audio equipment cover––✓
Over-50s car insurance

Despite being an experienced driver aged over 50, you’re still likely to fall into the higher-risk group because of the assumptions that insurers tend to make. You might therefore benefit from specialised insurance for drivers aged 50 – 75, as Collingwood claims to value your experience.

Features of this policy with comprehensive cover include:

  • Windscreen repairs
  • Lower excess applied if an incident is reported within 24 hours and an approved repairer is subsequently used
  • Courtesy car

What is covered under my policy?

Cover benefitsThird partyThird party, fire and theftComprehensive
Liability to other people✓✓✓
Fire and theft–✓✓
Accidental damage with excess––✓
Windscreen cover––✓
Courtesy car––✓
Audio equipment cover––✓
Convicted Driver car insurance

If you have three or more points on your driving licence or have an unspent non-motoring (criminal) conviction, you’re likely to fall into the high-risk group for insurance and pay high premiums or you may even struggle to get cover in the first place. Collingwood offers insurance specifically tailored for drivers with convictions and may be able to cover you at a competitive price.

Features of this policy with comprehensive cover include:

  • Lower excess applied if an incident is reported within 24 hours
  • Courtesy car
  • Windscreen repairs

What is covered under my policy?

Cover benefitsThird partyThird party, fire and theftComprehensive
Liability to other people✓✓✓
Fire and theft–✓✓
Accidental damage with excess––✓
Windscreen cover––✓
Courtesy car––✓
Audio equipment cover––✓

Optional extras

As well as the standard levels of cover, Collingwood works with a number of other companies to arrange and provide additional protection if necessary, including:

  • AA breakdown cover
  • Accidental death benefit and personal accident cover
  • Claims assist service
  • Excess protection cover
  • Windscreen cover
  • Key cover

General exclusions

There are likely to be exclusions that Collingwood Insurance has for its policies. Your cover could become invalid if any of the following arises:

  • You fail to pay for your premium.
  • Your car is used for rallies, races or competitions.
  • You are paid to carry passengers.
  • Your car is being driven by an unnamed driver on your policy or by a person that does not have a valid driving licence.
  • You change your car during the policy term and fail to update the insurer.
  • You fail to update the insurer about any changes to your policy such as relocating to a new address or changing your car.
  • Check your policy for further details to confirm your cover is valid.

How to save on your car insurance policy through Collingwood Insurance Services

  • Having a secure location to park your car – cars kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
  • If you start working part-time or your long commute becomes much shorter, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage could result in cheaper insurance.
  • Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
  • Driving a smaller car with a smaller engine is also likely to result in lower premiums.

What is my excess?

This is the amount of money you have to pay towards a claim. Your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs any less than this amount. A compulsory excess amount might vary depending on the age of your car and your driving experience. While a voluntary excess is normally an amount set by you when taking out a policy. You may have the option of adding or increasing a voluntary excess, which could in turn reduce your premium.

You’ll find details about any compulsory or voluntary excesses in your policy document.

What is the claims process for Collingwood?

You should call the Collingwood Claims helpline on 0345 370 0008. This is a 24-hour claim line open seven days a week. Or you can email the details to: claims@collingwood.co.uk

You’ll need to provide:

  • Your insurance policy number and personal contact details
  • Details about the incident, including location and sustained damage
  • Details of any third parties or passengers involved
  • Eyewitness details
  • Crime reference number, if applicable.

Even if you don’t have all the above information to hand, you can still report the incident and make a claim.

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*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (Mar ’24). 51% of car insurance customers could save £524.68

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