Q1: Vehicle Ownership

My spouse is the registered owner of the vehicle, can I still be the main insured? YES, this is acceptable.

Q2: What is my excess?

A policy excess is the monetary amount of a claim which is not insured. This amount will be shown on your Private Motor Schedule of Insurance and only applies to accidental damage claims unless stated otherwise.

Q3: Can I add someone to my policy?

YES, it is common to have a request to add a driver onto a policy, either temporarily or permanently. You can do this by accessing your MyArachas digital wallet and submitted a request to add a driver or please call us in Waterford on 01 213 5000. Lines are open Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00

Q4: What does open driving include?

Open Driving is a cover offered by some insurers which allows other drivers to drive your car. Normally you must be over 25 at a minimum and under 70 years of age, with a clear driving record to avail of open-driving, but we can discuss the options with you.

Q5: Can other people drive my car?

Any person who is a named driver on your car insurance policy can drive your car. Their name must be stated on the valid Insurance Certificate. If the person holds insurance in their own name, then they can avail of the ‘Driving other Cars’ extension of their own policy and drive your car.

Q6: Do I have cover to drive someone else’s policy under my policy?

Your ‘Driving other Cars’ extension may provide cover to drive another person’s car.
It is very important to note that Driving Other Cars should only be used for the very occasional or emergency use of another vehicle which is not owned by you – and only applies where you have the owner’s permission to use their vehicle. It also excludes cars owned by spouses or partners of the policyholder which should be separately insured. Some insurers will restrict cover for this extension to Third Party Only which means that it only covers the bare minimum of cover required under Road Traffic legislation and will not cover damage to your own vehicle in the event of an accident. It is not intended to cover your regular use of another car – if this is found to be the case then it may have implications for the availability of this cover or may even impact you in the event of a claim. There are terms and conditions associated with this cover, so before purchasing it – and particularly before using it – we suggest that you carefully read the insurers Policy Booklet.

Q7: Do I need to disclose convictions, even if they happened years ago?

Any convictions spent under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 do not need to be disclosed. Further information on spent convictions is available on www.citizensinformation.ie or you can check with your local Garda station if your conviction is considered spent under the Criminal Justice Act 2016.

Q8: My driving licence is UK do I need to convert this?

As your Broker we must make you aware that as of January 1st 2021, it is no longer legal to drive with a UK licence in the Republic of Ireland. More information on exchanging a driving licence can be found on the NDLS website.

Q9: Will my named drivers get the same cover as I do?

Depending on their age, named drivers over 25 will normally be granted the same policy cover as the policyholder. Comprehensive cover is the most common type of cover. However, for young drivers, insurers often restrict cover to a third party fire and theft basis. Named drivers cannot use the Driving Other Cars Extension to drive someone else’s car. This is restricted to the policyholder only.

Q10: What number should I call for breakdown assistance or windscreen cover?

This number will depend on which insurer you have your car insurance policy with. You can find this information in your MyArachas digital wallet, under the Help page, or in your policy documents.

Q11: What do I do if I receive penalty points?

If you receive penalty points, you should notify your insurer immediately. If you acquire more than 4 penalty points, ordinarily, insurers will charge an additional premium rating. If you have penalty points removed, you can also notify your insurer.

Q12: I have lost my certificate and/or disc, can I get a replacement?

YES, of course you can. We may ask you to complete a ‘lost certificate declaration’, which can be emailed or posted to us. There may be a small charge to request duplicate documentation. All you need to do is call us on 01 213 5000 lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 or email us on midtermchanges@arachas.ie.

Q13: Am I covered for Breakdown?

Breakdown assistance is given as an additional benefit to comprehensive policyholders. Please refer to your schedule of insurance to determine your cover. Alternatively, call us on 01 213 5000 lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 or email us on midtermchanges@arachas.ie.

Q14: Does my car insurance cover me for driving abroad?

As standard insurer’s Private Car insurance policies extend policy cover while you are driving your car in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. In addition, they also provide the minimum level of compulsory cover - Third Party Liability cover - when driving within the European Union.
However, if you need to protect your vehicle against loss or damage from fire, theft or accident whilst driving in Europe, insurers provide different levels of cover to meet your needs. Most standard European Cover applies automatically to Comprehensive policyholders – whereby you are covered for damage to your car, provided that the duration of your travel outside of the Republic of Ireland does not exceed a specified number of days.
We suggest that you carefully read the insurers Policy Booklet for full details as to the limits and covers allowed.

Q15: Renewing a policy

Why has my premium increased?
Many factors affect your car insurance premium year on year, loss of no claims discount following a claim, a change in vehicle or in drivers during the year, market shift in premium based on underwriting criteria, change of location or occupation may also impact premium.
You can query this with us on 01 213 5000 lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 or email us renewalringback@arachas.ie

Q16: I want to renew my policy. How can I do this?

You can renew online at a time that suits you by visiting www.arachas.ie/pay . Here you will be prompted to enter your Broker Ref. No. and PIN no from your renewal letter. Confirm your email address and and enter your payment details. You will then receive an email confirmation with a digital receipt attached. Alternatively, our Team are here to help at any time on 01 213 5000 lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 or email us renewalringback@arachas.ie

Q17: How can I review my policy cover at renewal?

Our renewal team will have issued your renewal terms to your email if we have your address on file, or if not via the post. All the details about your cover will be outlined in the letter and schedule. Our Team are here to help at any time on 01 213 5000 lines are open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 or email us renewalringback@arachas.ie

Q18: I have misplaced my PIN number. How can I locate this to renew my policy?

The renewal PIN is located on your renewal letter issued by us. If you cannot locate this please email us renewalringback@arachas.ie and we can support you with locating same.

Q19: What do I do if I want to cancel my policy at renewal?

If you do not wish to renew your insurance through Arachas please email us at renewalringback@arachas.ie to notify us of same by renewal date. We may reach out to see if there is anything further we can do to support your continuing insurance needs.

Q20: Will I get a refund if I cancel my policy?

If you wish to cancel your car insurance policy, you will be required to return the Insurer the Certificate of Motor Insurance and Insurance Disc. Cancellation will be effective from when they receive the documents.
The insurer will return a part of the premium paid in relation to the unused portion of the premium unless a claim occurred during the year, premium has not been paid to the insurer / broker or when enforced by the insurer it will be subject to a cancellation fee.
Its’s important to refer to the Cancellation of the policy section of your policy booklet to see how your insurer will deal with cancellation requests.

Q21: What is a No Claims Bonus?

A No Claims Discount is a discount allowed on your car insurance policy for having claims-free driving over a period of time. Your No Claims Discount is measured in years and will increase every year that goes by where you don’t have a claim. The higher your No Claims Discount is, the greater the discount allowed on your policy will be as you are being rewarded for your good driving.

Q22: What is a No Claims Bonus Discount worth?

A No Claims Discount is a discount allowed on your car insurance policy for having claims-free driving over a period of time. Your No Claims Discount is measured in years and will increase every year that goes by where you don’t have a claim. The higher your No Claims Discount is, the greater the discount allowed on your policy will be as you are being rewarded for your good driving.

Q23: How long does a No Claims Bonus last before it expires?

A No Claims Bonus usually lasts for two years from the date that your last policy in your own name ends. You do not earn a No Claims Discount unless you are the policyholder and main user of the car insured.

Q24: How to avail of your No Claims Bonus?

Your insurer should have sent you a copy of your No Claims Bonus prior to your renewal, or after you cancelled your policy – if you have not been issued this you will need to contact the insurer to request it. You will need to advise us of the details that are contained on your No Claims Discount, so you should try have it to hand when you contact us for a quote.

Q25: Can you use a No Claims Discount on more than one policy?

No, your No Claims Discount can only be used on one policy. If you wanted to get insured on a second vehicle you may be able to take out new cover and begin earning a second, No Claims Discount.

Q26: I have never held a policy in my own name, is my driving experience of any value to me?

If you haven’t ever held a car insurance policy in your own name before but are considering taking one out now, we may be able to take into account your past experience as a named driver on another policy and allow a greater discount. If you have any queries you can call us in Waterford on 01 213 5000 . Lines are open Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00. Please note that insurer underwriting criteria, terms and conditions apply.
If we are able to reward your driving experience with an additional, introductory discount we will require written proof of that experience from the insurer of that policy.

Q27: Can I earn a No Claims Discount as a named driver?

No, unfortunately not. You can accumulate ‘driving experience’ as a named driver which we can acknowledge in some cases.

Q28: Stepback Protection

Stepback Protection means that if you have a claim under a section that does affect your No Claims Discount, instead of your discount going back to zero, it will only be stepped back by two levels. For example, if you were availing of the full 55% discount and have a claim, you will be stepped back to 35% at your next renewal.

Q29: Full Protection

Full No Claims Discount protection is available for an additional charge if you have a No Claims Discount earned in your own name. This means that you can have up to two claims in a three-year period and your No Claims Discount will be unaffected. If a third claim occurs, then Stepback Protection will come into effect.
Will a windscreen claim affect my no claims discount?
No, a claim for windscreen repair or replacement will not affect your No Claims Discount. In your policy booklet ‘Windscreen Cover’ section will give you full details of the cover.

Q30: What should I do if I have a motor accident?

Report the accident as soon as possible by calling the Insurer Helpline on located in your policy booklet 24 hours, 7 days a week. You should report all incidents whether you intend to claim or not:

• Look around-and take note
• Take photos
• Notify the emergency services
• Do not admit fault Exchange details

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Q31: If I get hit by an uninsured driver can I claim from my own car insurance?

This will depend on what level of cover you have on your vehicle – you should check your schedule of insurance to confirm. If you have Comprehensive car insurance, accidental damage to your car is covered, therefore, the insurer may settle the claim for you subject to the terms and conditions of your policy.
If you have Third Party, Fire and Theft cover, any accidental damage to your car is not covered by your policy. MIBI compensates victims who have been involved in a road traffic accident caused by uninsured vehicles. Please contact your insurer’s claims helpline where the claim experts are there to help.

Q32: If I have had an accident in someone else's car do I need to inform the insurer on this policy?

YES. They need to know about all your claims and accidents because it forms part of your driving history.

Q33: As my broker do I need to call you directly?

We are happy to deal with our customer queries and put you through to the relevant insurer. If you prefer you can contact them directly by locating the claims information from your policy booklet.