RIAS car insurance review

Our verdict

Our verdict

RIAS car insurance is a solid choice for anyone looking for comprehensive car insurance, as it gets the full 5-star Defaqto rating. Nice-to-have standard features include an uninsured driver promise, a courtesy car while yours is in for repair at an approved garage, and "wrong fuel" cover, in case you absent-mindedly top up your diesel with petrol. And if you're unlucky enough to need to claim, you have access to a 24/7 claims line.

There are plenty of optional extras too. These include legal expenses cover, breakdown cover, and key protection. And RIAS customers seem to like it, awarding it more than 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

On the downside, RIAS doesn't offer third-party or third-party, fire and theft cover, so if you want one of these more basic policies – or indeed if you decide RIAS isn't for you at all – you'll need to shop around and compare other providers.

Best for: Great customer service

Pros

• Excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot
• Provides a courtesy car as standard, as long as you use an approved repairer
• Offers wrong fuel cover to drain and flush your fuel tank and cover any damage to your engine if you accidentally put the wrong fuel into your car

Cons

• RIAS only offers comprehensive car insurance; if you want third-party or third-party, fire and theft cover, you'll need to look elsewhere

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Who is RIAS car insurance?

Established in 1992, RIAS is the trading name of Ageas Retail Limited and offers a range of comprehensive car insurance policies so that customers can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are protected.

What are RIAS’s cover options?

RIAS provides comprehensive car insurance for drivers aged 25 and over. All policies come with a range of features and benefits and optional extras.

RIAS offers a number of great benefits, including:

• Courtesy car provided as standard – for when your car is being repaired by an approved repairer.
• Uninsured driver promise – if your car is hit by an uninsured driver your excess will be reimbursed and your no claims discount reinstated.
• Onward travel cover – if you are in an accident and your car can’t be driven RIAS will arrange transport for you and your passengers to get home or to your planned UK destination.
• Wrong fuel cover – unlike some providers RIAS will pay to drain and flush your fuel tank and cover any damage to your engine if you accidentally put the wrong fuel into your car.

What’s covered under my policy?

RIAS’s comprehensive car insurance policies cover you for a range of situations, such as:

• Cover for accidental or malicious damage to your vehicle, including vandalism
• Cover for the cost of replacing your windscreen or window glass
• Personal accident cover in the event of injury or death when travelling in, or getting in or out of your car
• Medical expenses if you or a passenger is injured in an accident involving your car
• Personal belongings lost or damaged in your car due to fire, accident or theft
• Replacement of your key, lock transmitter or entry card if it’s lost or stolen

Does RIAS car insurance offer any optional extras?

RIAS offers a number of optional extras that you can add to your policy to tailor the cover you need. These optional add-ons include:

Legal expenses cover. Covers any costs if you need legal advice to settle a dispute.
Breakdown cover. Offers three levels of cover when you’re on the road.
Replacement car cover. Will cover the cost of replacing you care if it’s stolen or written off.
Excess protection. Reimburses the excess in the event that you get into an accident.
Key protection. Offers cover in case you lose the keys to you car, home or office.
Personal accident cover. Protects you in case you suffer a bodily injury.

How do I make a claim?

If you get into a car accident, it’s important to collect information so you can file your claim. Full details of the other drivers, including their phone numbers, and the registration numbers of all vehicles involved are some of the details that will help you speed up your claim.
It’s also important to call the 24/7 hotline number on 0345 122 3281 as soon as possible after the accident to make your claim.

RIAS car insurance customer reviews

On the review platform Trustpilot, RIAS scores an “excellent” (4.4 out of 5) out of 5,000+ reviews. Overall, customers praised the quick and efficient service and friendly staff, while others called out issues around communication and policy queries.