Zenith car insurance

With Zenith you can get either a third party, fire and theft (TPFT) policy or a comprehensive one.

It throws a whole host of perks in too, such as key cover and protection for personal belongings stolen from your car.

For more, read our review of Zenith’s car insurance policies below. We walk you through what they will and won’t cover, so you can quickly decide if it has a deal for you.

Who is Zenith insurance?

Zenith was founded back in 1937 and is based in Gibraltar. It’s part of the wider Markerstudy Group which providers a range of car insurance policies and other complementary products in the UK.

With a 3-star Defaqto rating for its car insurance policies, Zenith certainly isn’t the highest rated insurer on the market.

However, its comprehensive deal covers a fair amount of bases, offering windscreen cover, a courtesy car and protection for your in-car entertainment.

• Who underwrites Zenith insurance?

  Zenith car insurance policies are arranged and administered by BISL Limited, although Motor Legal Protection is underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.

  For full details about who underwrites your agreement, take a look at your policy document. Or see Zenith’s website for a sample one if you aren’t an existing customer.

What are Zenith’s levels of cover?

Zenith offers just two levels of cover: third party, fire and theft or comprehensive.

If your car is a bit of an old banger and not worth a whole lot, then you might opt for third party, fire and theft insurance. Generally this type of policy will work out as being cheaper than comprehensive, as you’re getting less protection.

However, this isn’t always the case. While it might seem a bit bizarre, comprehensive deals sometimes work out as being cheaper. It’s certainly worth getting quotes for both levels of protection.

Zenith doesn’t offer the most basic level of cover, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for third party insurance.

• Third party, fire and theft
• Comprehensive cover
• Optional extras

What’s covered under my policy?

Check your policy carefully to ensure it covers everything you need it to cover.

General exclusions

Zenith can offer you a pretty comprehensive policy for your car, yet all insurance providers have a list of reasons why they will refuse to pay out for a claim. You will not be covered if:

• You damage the car by using the wrong fuel.
• Your car is lost or damaged after you left it unlocked or with the keys on or in it.
• Your personal belongings are stolen after you left the car unlocked.
• You’re being paid to carry goods or passengers (for example, taxis and delivery drivers).
• Your car is being used for rallies, races, trials, competitions or off-road events.

For a full list and explanation of the exclusions, see your insurance policy.

How to save on your Zenith car insurance policy

• Drive safely. You’ll spend less on car insurance if you don’t accumulate speeding tickets and you avoid making claims on your insurance.
• Lock your car up. Storing your vehicle in a garage or on a secure driveway will generally lower your insurance costs.
• Lower mileage. Recently retired? Or moved to a job that’s closer to home? Tell your insurer if you’ll be commuting less in your car from now on to lower premiums.
• Up the excess. Voluntarily agreeing to a higher excess can lower your premiums, although if you have to make a claim it might work out as being more expensive overall.
• Pick a smaller car. A safe car with a less powerful engine should cost less to insure than an expensive, powerful vehicle.
• Check comprehensive. High-risk drivers have historically taken out third party deals, which has led to a bizarre situation where comprehensive is sometimes actually cheaper.

Written by

Esther Wolffowitz

Publisher

Esther Wolffowitz was a publisher at finder.com specialising in insurance. Esther holds an MSc in Media and Communication Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). See full bio