Green car insurance is basically car insurance designed with the planet in mind. For our purposes, it’s temporary car insurance that makes your driving a little greener through features like carbon offsetting, for example.
But why go for green car insurance? Well, for one thing, we’ve only got one planet and it’s not doing too well. Plus, if you go for it, somewhere out there a polar bear will probably send you a virtual high-five. And that’s pretty cool.
Choosing the right green temporary car insurance is as individual as your Netflix watchlist – it all depends on your circumstances. So grab your reusable coffee cup and join us on this journey to find the perfect green car insurance for you.
What are your deal breakers when it comes to green car insurance?
Before diving into the world of eco-friendly policies, it’s essential to know your deal-breakers – those non-negotiables that’ll make or break your decision faster than you can say “save the turtles.”
As with any insurance product, some of the first questions to ask relate to what you want to insure and whether you need specific cover. Green temporary car insurance with Zixty, for instance, offers comprehensive cover that is similar to what you might get with an annual policy. As in, your car’s covered if you need to claim.
If you opt for third party car insurance instead, only the other person’s car would be covered in an accident where you need to claim. Not as great, is it? You’d have to foot the entire bill to repair your own car (or even buy a new one if it’s beyond repair).
For many people, comprehensive cover is an absolute must-have, so if you’re one of them, it’s important you make sure that’s what you’ll be getting before you sign on the dotted line.
There are other questions that need to be answered too. For example, do you want breakdown cover? Because let’s be honest, no one wants to be stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night. Also, do you want to protect your excess? If you’re worried about forking out a substantial sum in the event of a claim, it’s worth checking your insurer of choice provides this.
These questions aren’t specific to green car insurance, but you should probably still narrow them down before you go hunting for a policy. It’s all well and good choosing a policy that’s the most sustainable thing since beeswax food wraps, but if it doesn’t offer the cover you need, then you might be putting the horse before the cart, so to speak.
It’s like creating your perfect dating app profile – you need to know what you’re looking for before you can swipe right on the perfect match. Whatever your deal-breakers may be, knowing them will help you choose the green car insurance that’s just right for you.
Does the green car insurance policy tick most of your boxes?
Just like choosing between binge-watching your favourite series or actually getting a good night’s sleep (we’ve all been there), finding the right green car insurance policy might require some give and take.
If you find a policy that ticks all your boxes and doesn’t cost the Earth (see what we did there?), then absolutely go for it! But what happens if you don’t? If you need to make some sacrifices, what are you prepared to let go?
While you should absolutely have your list of “must haves” for your car insurance policy, you should also have a “nice-to-haves” list that includes optional extras. For instance, you might really like an app-based policy like Zixty where you can manage the whole experience on your phone. But not getting it isn’t the end of the world.
When weighing up your options, remember that it’s all about finding the right balance. You might not find a policy that plants an entire rainforest in your honour, but if it ticks most of your boxes, then you’re on the right track.
Is the price right?
This is a bit of an obvious one, but your green car insurance needs to be within your budget. Duh. More than that though, you shouldn’t feel guilted into paying more for a policy purely so you can do the right thing.
We think it’s a bit dodgy to ask people to pay extra to carbon offset their journeys, for instance. We’re not about that guilt-tripping life. Doing the right thing for the planet shouldn’t mean you need to dip into your overdraft.
That’s why here at Zixty, our green car insurance policy doesn’t cost extra. You’ll pay exactly the same for your policy whether you choose to enable the free Zixty Miles add-on and make your policy green, or not.
Is the policy you’re investing in truly “green”?
When choosing a green car insurance provider, you’ll want to make sure they’re not just talking the talk but also walking the walk.
To avoid a company that’s greener on paper than in practice, it’s essential to look at how they work, their commitment to reducing the impact of their own activities, and what they stand for. Because let’s be real, nobody wants to end up with a policy that’s about as eco friendly as a plastic straw in a sea turtle’s nose.
It’s worth doing some research on the provider’s website and make your own judgment. For instance, have they adopted eco conscious working practices? Do they have any accreditations in place to show they’re green? Does the company support other businesses involved with environmental causes? Here at Zixty, for instance, we are a Green Mark-accredited business that frequently spotlights eco-friendly projects like Treeapp.
How is the policy “green”?
Sustainability comes in many shapes and sizes. Before you go all-in with a particular provider, you should dive into the nitty-gritty of how their policy is actually green.
The green element of an insurance policy can be achieved in various ways, from planting trees to offset carbon emissions to supporting renewable energy projects. Carbon offsetting can come in many shapes and sizes, and it’s important to understand what they look like. Our carbon offsetting article goes into more detail about this if you’re interested.
The key here is to find a policy that vibes with your eco-values. We all have different sustainability beliefs and values, and ideally, we’d like to see them reflected in the services and products we buy. In a nutshell, a policy might be objectively green, but might not be an ideal “fit”. So you may want to shop around for one that fits your values better.
Choosing green car insurance: An overview
Picking green car insurance doesn’t have to be hard; work out what you need from your car insurance policy first. After that, look at the green aspect. Find companies that walk the talk, and that align with your own sustainability values too.
And don’t forget to check out Zixty. We’ll never charge you extra to do the right thing. And when you enable Zixty Miles, our free add-on, we’ll carbon offset all your journeys up to 100 miles each day while you’re a customer. Plus, we’ll plant a tree every time you take out a policy.
Oh, and because we’re firmly in the “teach a man to fish” camp, we’ll also give you an EcoScore that tells you how green of a driver you really are. Plus, we’ll give you lots of tips to help you become even more eco friendly.
You should absolutely do your research and make sure we align with your values though. Although we’re pretty great, so we’re sure you’ll love us.
