To legally drive any vehicle on the roads of Gloucester, the surrounding Counties and the United Kingdom itself, every roadworthy vehicle MUST have a valid MOT and be covered by an up-to-date Insurance Policy. Ensuring that all the stringent MOT Tests, that are required by law to be carried out by a skilled mechanic are completed, is a locally based, experienced Team such as 123 Car and Commercial who specialise in providing vehicle owners with an MOT Gloucester. Every Car, Quadricycle and Van as well as every Motorhome and Camper Van that is three years old or older that is driven on the Hi-ways and Bi-ways of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales MUST by law have a valid MOT and be covered by Insurance. The comprehensive MOT Test involves a series of checks on the interior and exterior of every vehicle, as well as under the bonnet to ensure each car checked is roadworthy. Endorsed and authorised by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency or the DVSA for short, this experienced Team are all fully qualified to complete any of the checks involved.
All vehicles are required to be covered by an up-to-date Insurance Policy in order to protect drivers, passengers, and other motorists in the event of an accident. Insurance provides financial compensation to cover any injuries to people or their property as well as damage to the vehicle. Without Insurance, the driver would be responsible for personally paying for any third-party damages.
Covering the excess when you hire a car
A valid MOT and insurance cover the car you own, but hiring a vehicle brings a separate cost that catches many drivers out. When you sign a hire agreement, you take on an excess, which is the amount you would have to pay towards any damage if there is an accident.
Hire companies usually offer to reduce or remove that excess at the desk, and many experienced drivers have been stung by how expensive it can be. An alternative is to arrange car hire excess insurance separately before you travel. It sits alongside your standard hire agreement and covers accidental damage to the hire car.
If you do have to pay the hire company for damage, you claim the money back from your excess insurer once they receive the necessary paperwork. Single trip and annual policies are both available, and an annual policy can suit people who hire cars several times a year, whether in the UK or abroad.
Private cover versus motor trade insurance
For most drivers in Gloucester, a standard private policy, either comprehensive or third party fire and theft, is all the insurance a roadworthy car needs. That policy relates to one specific vehicle, so when you change cars you must tell your insurer and have the policy updated.
People who work in the motor trade are in a different position. If you regularly drive customers’ cars or vehicles you have in stock to sell, you need motor trade insurance, which covers a range of vehicles without a new policy for each one. Some private policies include a driving other vehicles clause with third party cover, but it does not apply to trade work, and you will not be covered if you rely on it.
A trade policy is not a way round the rules either, and police have cracked down on drivers using one to cheat the system. Personal vehicles can usually be added for social use, sometimes at a small extra cost. Read the policy detail so you know exactly what is covered.