An A - Z of commonly used terms to help you understand our Car Insurance more easily.

Actual Voluntary Excess

This is the amount of voluntary excess that's granted by the insurer of your Greenbee Car Insurance policy. The quote given is based upon your requested voluntary excess, however, in order to provide you with the most competitive price, the requested voluntary excess may change slightly.

Association of British Insurers (ABI)

The trade association for British insurers. Insurance companies that are members of the ABI must conform to the association's standards.

Approved repairer

A car repairer that meets an insurer's quality standards and has been approved by that insurer to repair its customers' vehicles.

Breakdown cover

A policy that covers sending a mechanic out to your car if you break down and towing you to the nearest garage if the problem can't be fixed at the roadside. There are also options to help you get your car going if it won't start when you are at home.

Claim

You make a claim when you ask the insurance company to pay for a loss that's covered under your policy.

Comprehensive insurance

Insurance that gives you the most extensive cover available. See what Greenbee's Comprehensive Insurance covers. And remember, you can increase your protection even more by adding optional extras to your comprehensive insurance policy. Find out more about Greenbee's optional extras.

Compulsory Excess

The amount towards a claim you will have to pay that the insurance company fixes.

Courtesy car

A car you can use while your own car is being repaired following a claim.

Depreciation

The reduction in the value of your car because of ageing and general wear and tear. Depreciation is higher the more you drive the car.

Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)

The government agency that is responsible for the registration of UK cars and drivers.

Estimated annual business mileage

The number of miles you drive on business trips or travel to and from more than one place of business/work during a single year.

Estimated annual mileage

The amount of miles you drive in a year. Insurers need to know this figure to give you a quote as it will affect the likelihood of your car being damaged and will contribute to wear and tear to the car. To estimate your annual mileage, take the number of miles you drive in average week and multiply it by 52. You should also add in any holidays or other long trips you expect to make.

Excess

The amount you agree to pay if you make a claim. This is usually broken down into compulsory excess, which is an amount fixed by the insurance company, and voluntary excess, an additional amount determined by you. The higher the total excess you agree to pay, then the lower your insurance premium will tend to be.

Exclusions

Incidents and certain circumstances that are not covered under your policy. Most companies exclude damage caused by "Acts of God" (natural disasters such as earthquakes), among other things.

Immobiliser

There are two types of immobiliser:

• Manual immobiliser - This is usually placed on the steering wheel of your vehicle e.g. Krooklok.
• Electronic immobiliser - This disables the engine of your vehicle. Some newer vehicles have these factory fitted by the manufacturer and these are normally shown within your vehicle brochure. It is also possible to have these immobilisers fitted by a garage or specialist, who would supply a certificate of installation detailing the exact model of your vehicles immobiliser. A copy of your certificate may be required.

Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)

A tax paid on insurance premiums, currently 5 per cent for car insurance. All insurance companies have to include this in their quotes, but some may not state the actual percentage. Keep an eye out for the phrase "plus IPT".

Limits

The maximum amounts your policy will cover. Limits will vary from policy to policy and across different sections of the policy. The limit for personal belongings is for example, usually much lower than the limit for personal accident.

Geographical Limits

These are defined geographical areas in which your car insurance provides cover. Geographical limits will vary depending on the type of cover selected and will sometimes have time limits, for example cover to drive in Europe. For a full definition of geographical limits, including applicable countries, check the policy wording of the insurance policy.

No claims discount

A discount you can get from your insurance premium for each year you do not make a claim. Greenbee's no claims discount gives up to 75 per cent off your insurance premium.

Pass Plus certificate

A Pass Plus certificate means you've passed an additional Driving Standards Association training scheme, on top of your ordinary driving test. If you have one, we may be able to give you a better price for your car insurance in the first year after you have passed your test.

Premium

The amount of money you pay for your insurance cover.

Q Registration-plate

Number plates starting with the letter Q show that the car's age or identity is unknown, that it has been made from a large proportion of used parts or that the car has previously been written off. This also applies to vehicles imported without supporting evidence to identify the vehicle's age. Cars with Q-plates are generally more expensive to insure.

Registered keeper

The person whose name appears on the registration certificate (V5C) of the car. They may be different from the owner - for example, if you have a company car you are likely to be the registered keeper, while the company is the owner. The registered keeper has legal responsibility for the use of the car.

Replacement car

A car you can use for up to 21 days following the theft or write off of your own car.

Requested Voluntary Excess

The amount of voluntary excess you request a quote to be based on.

Schedule

The list of specific benefits, charges and exclusions to your insurance policy.

Third party cover

Insurance covering any damage you do to another person, their vehicle or their property.

Third party, fire and theft

Insurance that gives third party cover and also includes repairs if your car is damaged in a fire or if it is stolen and/or later recovered damaged.

Total Loss

Also known as a write-off. This is where a car is damaged to such an extent that it's not worth repairing

Uninsured Loss

Potential financial losses which aren't covered by a particular insurance policy. These usually include:

• injury to you or your passengers
• loss of earnings
• cost of alternative travel arrangements
• recovering your excess from a third party.

Legal cover, such as Greenbee Legal Protection provides cover for uninsured losses.

Voluntary Excess

The part of the excess that you can choose. Where possible, Greenbee Car Insurance will match the voluntary excess you choose (called the requested voluntary excess). However, so that we can give you the most competitive price possible, the actual voluntary excess may be up to £25 above or below what you requested. We'll always make it clear what your voluntary excess will be.

Write-off

A car that is so badly damaged the insurance company decides it is not worth repairing.