Sheilas’ Wheels targets female drivers. If you like extras designed to appeal to women (handbag cover, anyone?), then its car insurance could be a great fit.
Cover from Sheilas’ Wheels offers either third party, fire and theft (TPFT) or comprehensive, with a courtesy car, handbag cover and a counselling service included. Given the top 5-star rating by the analysis firm Defaqto, Sheilas’ Wheels also offers optional extras such as key cover and misfuelling cover.
We’ve reviewed Sheilas’ Wheels insurance to show the types of policy and what’s covered.
Sheilas' Wheels Car Insurance
- Child car seat cover
- 24/7 legal advice helpline
- Defaqto 5-star rated
Compare Sheilas’ Wheels policies
Who is Sheilas’ Wheels?
Sheilas’ Wheels was founded in 2005 by Sir Peter Wood, who also established Direct Line and esure. It was conceived as a female-centric car insurance provider after research found female motorists typically have different needs from their male counterparts. In 2010, Sheilas’ Wheels launched home insurance and travel insurance and expanded to the broker market in 2011.
Today, Sheilas’ Wheels caters to all motorists, but parents may like benefits such as family-friendly repair garages; and handbag cover is designed to appeal to women.
What are Sheilas’ Wheels levels of cover?
Sheilas’ Wheels offers just two levels of insurance: third party fire and theft or comprehensive. If you’re a new driver with a car that is perhaps not worth a whole heap of money, you’ll likely go for third party, fire and theft insurance. For some people, this may be cheaper than comprehensive, but it’s always worth checking as there are so many factors involved and comprehensive can work out cheaper.
Sheilas’ Wheels does not offer third party cover on its own.
Sheilas’ Wheels Third Party, Fire and Theft
This is the lowest level of cover available from Sheilas’ Wheels. It covers other road users if you are involved in an accident, as well as covering your own car against damage from fire or theft. With Sheilas’ Wheels, this also gets your extra perks, including in-car entertainment system cover and handbag cover.
Sheilas’ Wheels Comprehensive
This covers all that third party, fire and theft includes, as well as insuring your vehicle against accidental damage and vandalism. With Sheilas’ Wheels, this also gets you a number of perks, including a courtesy car, entertainment system cover, windscreen repair and replacement and handbag cover.
Optional extras
Sheilas’ Wheels also has a number of extras to add to your cover. Optional extras include:
- Motor legal protection
- Breakdown cover with RAC (within the UK and Isle of Man)
- Personal injury benefit
- Car hire benefit
- Key cover
- Misfuelling cover if you put the wrong type of fuel in your car
What’s covered under my policy?
| Cover benefits | Third party, fire and theft | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| Fire and theft | ✓ | ✓ |
| Handbag cover | Up to £300 | Up to £300 |
| Child car seat cover | Up to £100 | Up to £100 |
| Five years of guaranteed repair work for fire or theft claims | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accidental damage | – | ✓ |
| Courtesy car cover | – | ✓ |
| Windscreen cover | – | ✓ |
| European car insurance | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
| In-car entertainment cover | Up to £1,000 | Up to £1,000 |
| 24-hour motor legal advice helpline | ✓ | ✓ |
Check your policy carefully to ensure it covers everything you need it to cover.
General exclusions
Although Sheilas’ Wheels does give pretty solid comprehensive cover, there are a few exclusions. You will not be covered if:
- Your car is being used for commercial travel (although Sheilas’ Wheels may be able to cover limited business use).
- Your vehicle is being used for any purpose in connection with the motor trade.
- You are being paid to carry goods or passengers (for example, taxis and delivery drivers).
- Your car is being used for rallies, races, trials or competitions or off-road events.
For a full list and explanation of the exclusions, see your insurance policy.
How to save on your Sheilas’ Wheels car insurance policy
- Pass Plus. New drivers can get a Pass Plus from the Driving Standards Agency, which will prove that you are proficient in driving at night and on motorways, and this can get you a discount on your car insurance policy.
- Safer drivers spend less on car insurance – a history of speeding tickets or claims against your insurance will increase the cost.
- Having a secure place to store your car. Cars kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
- Lower mileage. If you retire or swap a long commute for a shorter one, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage can result in cheaper insurance.
- Up the excess. Agreeing to a larger voluntary excess makes insurance cheaper, but this could cost you in the long run if damage occurs.
- Pick a smaller car. Choosing to drive a small and safe car is likely to lower your premium.
- Check comprehensive. Because of the risk profile of customers who take out lower levels of cover, you could find that comprehensive is cheaper.
What is my excess?
A policy excess is the amount you will have to pay of the total costs incurred from the claim, and will usually be up to £350. You can volunteer to have a higher excess to get cheaper insurance or a more expensive policy can mean paying less excess, but this will all be arranged when you take out your policy.
How do I make a claim?
Sheilas’ Wheels has a claims line that you can call to make a claim: 0345 604 3570 (+44 161 862 2890 if calling from abroad). It’s open Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm, but is closed on Sundays. You’ll need to have your insurance details with you when you make the call.
If you require the 24-hour accident recovery service, call 0800 032 9083. If you need the 24-hour windscreen repair helpline, call 0800 032 9083.
Frequently asked questions
*Disclaimer: Please take reasonable care to answer all the questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. If you don’t answer the questions correctly, your policy may be cancelled, or your claim rejected or not fully paid.
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