Car insurance FAQs

When does my insurance start?

You can buy your insurance up to 30 days before the policy start date.

So when you pay using a debit or credit card, whether online or by phone, you'll be insured from the chosen start date of the policy.

If you get a car insurance quote online, you can use the reference to retrieve the quote for 28 days, as long as your details are the same.

My car has modifications – will they affect my insurance quote?

A vehicle modification is a change to its original specification. This excludes added optional features when the vehicle was purchased from the manufacturer.

Tow bars and parking sensors are not modifications.

If your car has been modified we can give you an online quote for a maximum of 3 modifications from the following list:

• Alloy wheels
• Front spoiler or air dam
• Locking wheel nuts
• Rear roof spoiler
• Rear spoiler or aerofoil
• Bull bars
• Dual control
• Hand controls

Modifications can increase the premium, as they present a higher risk than original components.

Accordingly, if your car has more than 3 modifications, or the modification isn't listed, we won't be able to give you a quote.

Can I spread the cost of my insurance?

Yes, you can pay by monthly payments. When you buy your insurance by monthly payments an initial deposit is paid by card, then the rest of your payment will be made in 11 monthly payments by Direct Debit.

The dates of the payments will be shown in the Credit Agreement sent to you by post – it takes about 5 working days to arrive.

Credit will be provided by Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited, and you must be over 18.

How secure is my online payment?

We keep your personal details and your credit or debit card information private and secure when you buy online.

We do this by using secure server software that encrypts any information you give us. It takes the characters you enter and converts them into a secret code, which is then securely sent to us.

Am I covered for towing caravans or trailers?

When towing a caravan or trailer, you're covered for costs you're liable to pay if you cause damage to property, or injury or death to someone.

Under comprehensive insurance, a single-axle trailer attached to your car will also be covered for damage up to £500. The trailer must be in a safe and roadworthy condition.

When do I need to declare business use?

When you get a quote, select 'Social, domestic, pleasure, commuting and business use' for journeys to various places in connection with your work, such as offices or factories.

Whereas when you travel to a single permanent place of work, select 'Social, domestic, pleasure and commuting'.

If I do voluntary work, do I select business use?

No. When you get a quote, select 'Social, domestic and pleasure' if you use your car for voluntary work.

Our panel of insurers operates under the statement issued by the Association of British Insurers:

'The insurers will insure their policyholders to carry out voluntary driving, that is, the use of a vehicle they own in connection with, or for the benefit of, charities, voluntary organisations, clubs or societies … where payment does not exceed the HMRC mileage rates in force at that time. This does not cover use for hire or reward or vehicles owned by, hired to or lent to the voluntary organisation.'

But if you transport goods or people as part of your voluntary work, then please call 0330 041 3684 for a quote.

If you call us about an existing policy to say you now do voluntary work, we won't charge an administration fee to update it.

Can I drive other cars?

Yes, our comprehensive insurance allows you to drive other vehicles with third-party cover, unless specifically excluded by your insurer. If this cover is excluded, it will be shown on your quote as an endorsement.

If you've already bought car insurance from us, the Certificate of Insurance will confirm you can drive other cars. The conditions that apply to this benefit are in the Car Insurance Policy Booklet.

What is a no claims discount?

A no claims discount is a reward for not making a claim on your car insurance in the past policy year.

The number of no claims discount years will be shown on your renewal invitation or current Certificate of Insurance.

If you do make a claim, your discount will normally be less at the next renewal if your insurer can't get their money back from the person responsible.

Where can I find proof of my no claims discount?

New customers

When you get a car insurance quote, we ask how many years no claims discount you already have. This information is on the cancellation notice or last renewal invitation from your previous insurer.

In order to validate your policy after purchase, we may ask for proof of the discount you've earned. You can send us a copy of the renewal or cancellation notice, or a letter on headed paper from your previous insurer.

The document must be dated within the past 2 years, and isn't used for another vehicle. Also, please tell us about any gap of more than 30 days between your previous and the new policy, including claims or convictions.

You can either email or send the document to us:

[email protected]

The AA
Q3, Quorum Business Park
Benton Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8EX

The document should show:

• Your name and address
• The previous insurance policy number and expiry date
• The vehicle registration number
• Number of years no claims discount

On receipt we'll acknowledge the proof of your no claims discount. If we do need further information, we'll allow you sufficient time to provide it. Meanwhile, your car insurance policy remains active.

Existing customers

If you already have car insurance with us, the number of years no claims discount is on your Certificate of Insurance. You'll have received a copy at purchase. If you need a replacement Certificate of Insurance, please call us on 0330 041 3684.

Can I protect my no claims discount?

Yes, you can pay an additional premium to protect your no claims discount.

No claims discount protection allows you to make one or more claims before your number of no claims discount years falls.

A claim for windscreen repair or replacement won't affect your no claims discount.

No claims discount protection doesn't protect the renewal price of your insurance policy. The premium may increase following an accident, even if you weren't at fault.

What's the uninsured driver promise?

If you make a claim following an accident that is not your fault, and the driver of the other vehicle is not insured, you won't lose your no claims discount or have to pay any excess.

We just ask you to tell us the other vehicle's make, model and valid registration number, so that we can identify the driver of the other vehicle.

Can a named driver earn no claims discount on my policy?

Yes, they can. Named drivers over 25 can earn their own no claims discount to use on a policy with us.

What is a Thatcham certified security device?

Thatcham Research, based in Thatcham, Berkshire, certifies car security products. Most insurers like these products and could give you a discount if you have them in your car.

What is a car tracking device?

A GPS tracker hidden in a car can help the police find it if its stolen, and most cars that have one are found. You can pay up to 10% less for your motor insurance if your car has a GPS tracker.

Can I drive abroad with my car insurance?

You can drive drive anywhere in the EU, and in several other European countries, with the same level of cover you have in the UK for up to 90 days during your policy year.

Your car insurance is valid in the following countries:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gibraltar, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstien, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.

The Republic of Ireland is within the territorial limit of our car insurance, so policyholders get the same level as cover there as they do in the UK all year round.

Remember, as a tourist or for other reasons you can stay within the EU for 90 days in any 180-day period. You may need a visa for a stay longer than 90 days.

Depending on your insurer, you could get cover for countries that we don't include as standard.

What documents do I need for driving in Europe

You'll need to take:

• Your Certificate of Motor Insurance
• The vehicle log book (V5C)
• Your driving licence
• Your passport

Who underwrites this car insurance?

BEAM set up and administer your policy using a panel of insurance underwriters. The name of the underwriter will be shown on your car insurance quotation.

What ages do you provide insurance for?

We provide cover for drivers who are aged between 18 and 99.

What is a policy excess?

This is the amount of money you must pay towards the cost of a claim.

The amount is the combination of a compulsory and a voluntary excess, and this is shown on your quote.

Compulsory excess – this is the amount the insurer says you'll have to pay towards each claim.

Voluntary excess – this is a variable amount you choose to pay on top of the compulsory excess, usually up to £500.

Always check that you're comfortable with the policy excess before you buy car insurance.

Can I pay a voluntary excess?

Yes, you can pay a voluntary excess towards the cost of a claim, usually up to £500.

Typically, you pay less for your car insurance if you select a higher voluntary excess when you get a quote.

How do I make a car insurance claim?

Call our 24-hour claim line 0330 041 3689.

Before you call, get ready to make a motor insurance claim.

Is a courtesy car included on my policy?

Yes. Following an accident, you'll get a courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired at an approved garage.

Is windscreen cover included on my policy?

Yes. The windscreen cover includes repair or replacement for the windscreen, sunroof and the remaining windows.

There is an excess of £10–£25 for a windscreen repair .

A windscreen replacement has a minimum £100 excess. You can check the excess when you get a quote online.

Your no claims discount isn't affected by a windscreen claim.

How can I get my windscreen repaired?

To make a glass claim and arrange a repair or replacement, you need to book an appointment.

Have your policy number, start date and insurer ready – you can find these on your Statement of Insurance.

How do I tell you about a change of vehicle?

To make a change to your policy, call us on 0330 041 3684.

We'll need the same type of details as you provided for the previous model, such as registration number, market value and any modifications.

Can vehicles be added temporarily?

Usually yes, subject to the current insurer accepting the risk. Test drives aren't covered.

You can add a temporary additional vehicle from 1 day to 4 weeks, and a cover note will be issued.

We'll need to know its registration number, market value and any modifications.

To add a temporary additional vehicle, call us on 0330 041 3684 .

We can't offer cover where a policy is already in place for the vehicle.

How do I renew my BEAM car insurance?

You can find advice and FAQs on the BEAM car insurance renewals page.

Where can I find my policy documents and certificate of insurance?

If you opened an account when you purchased BEAM Car Insurance, log in to find your documents and check your details.

Or if your policy has a Customer ID on the purchase confirmation email or letter, you can create an account using the policy number.

If you don't have a Customer ID, then depending on your chosen preference the documents were either sent by email or posted to the address you specified when you bought the policy,

If you can't see the email, check it's not in your junk folder.

If you can't find your documents, we can resend them. Give us a call on 0330 041 3684.