Car Insurance FAQs

We accept customers from the age of 17 up to the age of 85 with a provisional or full UK driving licence.

Third party insurance only covers you against having to pay if you injure someone or damage their vehicle or other property, but won't pay to repair damage to your car. Third party, fire and theft cover will also pay to repair or replace your own car if it is stolen, or damaged or destroyed by fire.

The most commonly purchased option is comprehensive cover. This cover pays to repair damage to your car, including windscreens, in addition to all of the cover described above.

All new Car Insurance policies from John Lewis Finance provide comprehensive cover.

No Claims Discount Protection means that you can make up to two fault claims in three continuous years of insurance and your No Claims Discount won't be affected.

You need a minimum of four years before you can protect your No Claims Discount. If you already have two claims in three years then you cannot protect it.

Most insurers give discounts for no claims, the level of discount depends on the number of claim-free years. 

For further information or to add any of these features to your Car Insurance policy, please contact us.

No Claims Bonus Protection does not protect the overall price of your insurance policy. The price of your insurance policy may increase following an accident even if you were not at fault.

Driving abroad can be a great option for getting around on holiday. All car insurers legally have to give the minimum required cover in any EU country. This doesn’t always include damage to your own car. The level of cover you have for driving abroad will be in your policy document. John Lewis Car Insurance provides comprehensive cover for up to 180 days. This includes accidental damage, theft and loss. John Lewis Car Insurance doesn’t cover you for driving a hire car abroad, only the car insured on your policy.

You can legally drive someone else’s car with their permission if you’re named on their insurance policy.

Some insurers offer a ‘Driving Other Cars’ clause on their policies. This allows you to drive the cars of friends or family members in an emergency situation, as long as you have your own insurance in place on your own car. However, this cover is Third Party only, so it would only cover any third party vehicle damage or injury. If you’re involved in an accident while driving someone else’s car, any damage to that car or injury to you or your passengers will not be covered.

John Lewis Car Insurance can offer the Driving Other Cars clause on some policies, but please speak to us to see if you’re eligible. If this clause is included in your policy with us, you’ll be able to find more details and confirmation of what you’re covered for in your policy documents.

If you plan to drive another car on a regular basis, we recommend that you become a named driver on that policy.

From 31 May 2021, the process for making low-value personal injury claims after a road traffic accident in England and Wales is changing. This covers most whiplash cases.

Under the new regulations, if you want to make a personal injury claim for damages less than £5,000, you’ll have to go through a new online legal process or get a solicitor to help you. Just note that you won’t be able to claim back any legal fees as part of any settlement.

How can I be prepared for legal action after a road traffic accident?

You can add Motor Legal Protection to your policy to make sure you get the support you need in case of a personal injury claim. With Motor Legal Protection, you’ll get:

• Legal advice and support
• Arrangement of medical reports
• 100% of any damages awarded
• Physiotherapy arranged by us if you need it
• Help entering your claim online if it’s for less than £5,000

Find out more about our Motor Legal Protection benefits.

For further information or to add this feature to your Car Insurance policy, please call us on 0330 024 0612.

If you need to make a claim, please contact us immediately and our claims team will be able to help, 24 hours a day.

If you're involved in an accident, don't admit liability until you've spoken to us. See our Contact us page.

You're legally required to:

• Give your name, address and insurance details to anyone who has a good reason to ask for them – namely the other driver.
• Report the incident to the police within 24 hours if you or anyone else is injured.

You should also collect the following information:

• Full details of the other driver(s).
• Registration numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident.
• Where, when and how the accident happened.
• Injuries or damage caused.
• Names and contact details of witnesses.
• Police officers’ details and report references.
• Photographs of the scene or any damage, if possible.
• CCTV or dashcam footage.

If you have purchased our Optional Car Breakdown cover and your vehicle breaks down, call our 24 hour helpline and RAC trained staff will deal with your request quickly.

Please have the following information available when you phone:

• Your name and insurance document number
• The phone number (including the area code) you are calling from
• The location of the broken down vehicle, including road numbers or names and landmarks
• The registration number, make, model and colour

Please stay with your vehicle until a rescue vehicle arrives.

Please note that you are responsible for the cost of any parts fitted.

If you need to make a claim, you'll usually have to pay the excess. Please check your Policy Schedule for your excess amount.

Please visit our Contact us page to view your policy documents.

If you would like to make a complaint, please contact us.

If you would like to make any changes or cancel your policy, please contact us.