Dawes Car Insurance

From accidents and theft to fire and storms, there are many events that can cause the loss of or damage to your vehicle that you should insure against. But when you’re a driving instructor, these risks multiply, with the chances of your vehicle being damaged in an accident or causing damage to someone else’s property much higher.

Unfortunately, most ordinary car insurance policies will refuse to cover you if you’re using your vehicle for instructing learner drivers, so you’ll need to find a policy specially designed to meet your unique cover needs.

Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance is one such policy, designed to provide comprehensive cover for dual-control cars used to provide learner driver instruction.

The policy provides comprehensive cover for loss of or damage to your vehicle in a variety of situations, plus it offers $30 million in legal liability cover and a wide range of additional benefits to provide much-needed peace of mind when you hit the road.

Overview of Dawes Driving Instructor cover

Designed for dual-control vehicles used to provide professional tuition to learner drivers, Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance offers a wide range of benefits to policyholders.

First, it covers loss of or damage to the vehicle in a variety of situations including collision, storm, flood, fire, theft, attempted theft and malicious damage. You get salvage rights for the dual controls in the event that your vehicle is a total loss, as well as cover for towing costs, emergency repairs and your choice of repairer.

If your vehicle causes damage to someone else’s property and you’re held legally liable, Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance also includes $30 million of legal liability cover. For an extra premium you can also select windscreen repair and replacement cover as an optional extra.

What will the policy cover?

There is only one level of cover, comprehensive, available with this policy:

General exclusions applied to cover

• What won't the policy cover?

  Just as with any other car insurance policy, your Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance will also include a list of general exclusions that outline situations where no cover is available. Your claim will not be paid if:

  • Your vehicle was being driven by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Your vehicle was being driven by someone who was not properly licensed.
  • The claim is for loss or damage that occurs outside of Australia.
  • Your vehicle was being driven by someone under the age of 25 unless they were accompanied by you or a named driver and you or the named driver are a professional driving instructor, or they were accompanied by an examiner to undergo a driving test.
  • Your vehicle was being used in an unsafe or unroadworthy condition.
  • Your vehicle was damaged intentionally by you, a named driver or someone acting on your behalf.
  • Your car was being used in an experiment, test, trial or demonstration, or to tow another motor vehicle in connection with the motor trade.
  • Your vehicle was on hire to another person.
  • Your vehicle was being used to carry goods or passengers for reward.
  • Your vehicle was being used for any unlawful purpose.
  • Your vehicle was being used in a race, rally, trial, test or contest.
  • Your vehicle was being used on a racetrack without the insurer’s written approval.
  • Your vehicle was being used off-road.
  • Your vehicle was being used to provide tuition to a learner driver for reward while not fitted with a dual control system.
  • Your claim is for loss of use, depreciation, wear and tear, rust or corrosion.
  • Your claim is for damage caused by your pets.
  • Your claim is for the cost of rectifying pre-existing damage, rust or faulty repairs.
  • Your claim is for mechanical, structural, electrical or electronic breakdown or failure.
  • Your claim is for tyre damage caused by the application of brakes, road cuts, punctures or bursts.
  • Loss occurs because you failed to take reasonable steps to protect your vehicle.
  • It is caused by the lawful seizure or repossession of your vehicle.
  • Your vehicle has been modified and those modifications have not been approved by the insurer.
  • It is for consequential loss of any kind.

Is this cover right for me?

Dawes has a number of eligibility requirements. For example, your vehicle will need to be roadworthy and registered with the relevant transport authority in Australia. The underwriter of this insurance, Allianz, specifies that the likely financial situation its products are suited to is as follows: "Persons who are able to pay premiums in accordance with the chosen premium structure, and any excess in the event of a claim in accordance with the chosen excess option."

It's important to read Dawes' Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to determine if this car insurance will meet your needs and circumstances.

What excess will I be charged?

When you make a claim on your Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance policy, you will be required to pay an excess to contribute towards the cost of that claim. You may be required to pay more than one excess depending on the age and driving experience of you and any other named drivers.

The standard excesses that may apply are:

• The basic policy excess. This is the first amount you must contribute to every claim you make on your policy. The amount of this excess is shown on your policy schedule and determined based on factors such as your claims history and the type of car you drive.
• The learner driver excess. Payable in addition to the basic policy excess, this $500 excess applies to all claimable events that occur while your car is being driven by any learner driver.

Your insurer may also impose additional excesses based on its assessment of your risk level.

Steps to save on your policy

If you want to cut down on the cost of your Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance premiums, keep the following tips in mind:

• Drive less. Frequent drivers need to pay more for cover than those who drive fewer kilometres.
• Drive “safe”. A no-claims bonus is provided to reward good drivers who do not make a claim on their policy. The more claim-free years you have, the higher the discount you are entitled to.
• Secure your vehicle. Keeping your vehicle in a locked garage overnight and installing an immobiliser and other anti-theft devices can help lower premiums.
• Extra-cost options. Adding extra-cost options to your policy, such as the windscreen repair and replacement benefit, will increase premiums.

How do I make a claim with Dawes?

When you need to make a claim on your policy, you can either choose your own repairer or your insurer can recommend a repairer to carry out the necessary work on your vehicle. It’s vital that you notify Dawes of your claim as soon as possible after the event and provide full details of your claim.

Details can be submitted by phone, fax or email and your insurer will send you a claim form that you will need to complete. Completed claim forms must be returned within 30 days of the insured event.

Some common questions you may have

• Who underwrites Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance?

  The policy is underwritten by Allianz.

• Does the policy offer agreed value cover or market value cover for my vehicle?

  Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance offers market value cover only.

• Are any modifications and accessories fitted to my vehicle covered?

  Dawes does cover vehicle modifications and accessories, but you’ll need to obtain the insurer’s written approval in order for cover to take effect.

• Is there a cooling-off period?

  Yes, a 21-day cooling-off period applies. This means you can cancel your policy within 21 days of taking out cover and you will receive a full refund.

• What information will I need when I apply for cover?

  In addition to your personal details, you may also need the following when applying for a policy:

  • The sales receipt for your vehicle (if purchased recently)
  • Registration papers
  • Finance contract (if applicable)
  • Your insurance records
  • Details of your driving and traffic infringement history
  • A list of all accessories and modifications plus their values

If you need comprehensive cover for a dual-control vehicle that you use to provide tuition to learner drivers, Dawes Driving Instructor Motor Insurance is well worth a closer look. Compare the policy features and exclusions with those of other car insurance products to find the best protection for your set of wheels.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio