Insurance for Land Rovers

Land Rovers have stayed at the top of the four-wheel drive pile for decades for good reason: unrivalled off-road ability. Whether it’s the no-frills Defender, the iconic Discovery, the upwardly-mobile Range Rover or the compact Freelander, Land Rovers have always been able to perform in the dirt, and have won a legion of enthusiastic owners as a result. So, what’s the best way to get car insurance for your Land Rover?

The price of your insurance policy depends on the level of risk that insurers perceive you to be. Insurers work out what you pay for your premium by taking a number of factors into account. These include your own driving history, where you live, plus the vehicle itself.

The value of the vehicle (which, in the case of Land Rovers, can be quite high), its performance and the availability of parts are also taken into account. Whether or not the car has been modified from factory specification also has a significant impact.

So, what insurance is on offer?

Roughly speaking, there are three types of standard insurance for cars in the UK. These are as follows:

1. Third party only
This level of insurance is the minimum required by UK law and will provide assistance with the costs incurred by damage to the property of others, as well as injury. However, it will not provide any cover for your own vehicle. It is the cheapest level of insurance.

2. Third party, fire and theft
This will offer the same cover as third party insurance, as well as your own vehicle in the event of damage caused by fire or theft.

3. Comprehensive
This type of insurance will provide cover in the event of above, plus cover for your own vehicle. Extra cover can be added for an additional fee and although it is the most expensive option, but one which is likely to provide the greatest piece of mind.

Land Rover ownership throws up a different set of issues if you intend on driving off-road. While ‘green-laning’ (driving around Britain’s unpaved highways) should technically be covered by your insurance (check with your insurer), going off-road won’t so it’s essential you get a policy which will cover you should you intend on getting mucky.

If you’re planning on doing some serious off-roading, then it’s possible that you may fit some after-market modifications to enhance performance. Altering any vehicle from factory specification will have implications for your insurance, as companies view your vehicle to be of greater risk of theft. Parts will also be more expensive to replace.

While you may be tempted to keep any modifications that you make to yourself, you’ll need to declare them to your insurer, however insignificant they may seem. Failing to do so will invalidate your policy should you have to make a claim, leaving you seriously out of pocket.

However, there are a number of ways you could reduce the cost of your policy. They include investing in upgraded security for your Land Rover, locking it up overnight, agreeing to an annual mileage limit or taking an advanced driving course. Making sure that you drive safely thus avoiding claims and staying free of driving convictions will also make your policy cheaper.

To get a better deal on your Land Rover’s insurance, you could also use a comparison website. They allow you to browse a wide range of quotes from lots of different companies so you’re able to see where the better deals are. It’s essential that you compare the features of the policy as well as the price so you know that what you’re getting will cover you sufficiently in the event of having to call upon it.