Notice to Policyholders – Private Car

We would like to inform you that your Private Car policy has been updated with effect from the 1st of June 2024. This is a summary of the main changes made.

1. The section ‘Changes we need to know about’ has been clarified so that you can understand better what information you need to share with us.
2. We have defined ‘Constructive Total Loss’ and ‘Total Loss’ which relates to when the damage to the car is such that the repair costs exceed its market value or sum insured.
3. Cover for Electric & Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles has been better defined to make it clear that we cover.
   • Loss or damage to charging cables, wall boxes, adaptors up to €650.
   • Loss or damage to the drive battery by overload caused by lightning.
   • Loss or damage to the battery by short circuit or by animal bites up to €20,000
   • Additional costs to scrap the drive battery up to €1,200.
   • Cost to decontaminate the drive battery in the event of the vehicle being considered a total loss.
   • Liability arising when using charging cables if someone trips over them.
4. The limit for automatic authorisation of minor repairs to your car has been increased to €250.
5. The ‘New Car Concession’ terms now specify that for this benefit to apply you need to insure your car for the purchase price.
6. The Limits of Indemnity per accident under the liability section have been increased to €6.45m for injury and €1.3m for damage.
7. We have clarified that if there is a claim arising when your car is in the custody of another person, for the purpose of service, repair, carpark or car valeting service, we will cover your loss, but we will have the right to recover the amount paid from the person responsible.
8. We have defined better how No Claim Discount and Protected No Claim Discount works.
9. The cover applicable for when you take your car abroad has also been clarified and we have also extended the definition of ‘designated states’ being the countries in which liability is automatically covered by including new countries.
10. Under the ‘Hiring of alternative car’ section we have widened the cover to include any higher amount of excess you would be required to pay the car rental firm,, if this amount is higher than the excess on your policy, up to a maximum of €250.
11. Liability arising out of charging stations, including ancillary equipment unless your car is connected to such equipment is excluded.
12. We have clarified that any liability, loss or damage caused by a deliberate act involving your car will be excluded.
13. The exclusion relating to liability resulting from pollution or spillage has been reworded to make it clear that only accidental spillage is covered.
14. Liability cover for accidents occurring outside a public road is now the same as that for accidents occurring on the road.
15. The policy now makes it clear that drivers need to always have a valid driving licence and only allows a grace period of 60 days from the date of expiry for it to be considered valid under the policy. No cover will otherwise apply.
16. New definitions for ’Electric Vehicles’’ and ‘’Drive Battery’’ have been included to remove any doubt as to what we mean when using these terms.
17. We have reworded some of the policy conditions to make it clear that:
    • When cancelling the policy, you must notify us within 90 days and before the expiryof the policy.
    • If fraud is detected in a claim the policy will be deemed void and no refund of premium is payable.
    • We can change the terms and conditions of the cover applicable on renewal of the policy and that you will be notified of any such changes prior to renewal.
    • You are responsible to ensure that the car’s tyres are in a roadworthy condition and shall not drive the car if there is a risk of further loss or damage.
18. The address of the Office of the Financial Services Arbiter has been updated.

Important
It is the policy wording document that defines the insurance in precise terms and remains the legally binding document. Should you have any difficulties or questions about the revised wording please contact us. The policy wordings may be found here: Motor Policies