Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We work with several insurers that offer multi vehicle policies. Get in touch with us on any of the numbers at the top of this page for a quote.

We accept credit and debit card, cash and cheques payments. We also offer a direct debit option.

You can renew by contacting your local office or calling us on any of the above numbers.

Many insurers offer a third party extension that would permit you to drive other vehicles, but don’t assume that you have this cover – contact us to make sure. You should also remember that this only covers you for the minimum legal requirement. This means that if you are involved in an accident you’re only covered for damage to third party property or injury to other people. It won’t cover you for damage to the car that you’re driving. If in doubt, get in touch with us to confirm that cover is in place before driving someone else’s car.

Most insurers we work with provide the option of windscreen cover. Get in touch to make sure and we’ll check your details.

At Dickson Group we offer accident and breakdown cover as an optional extra.

Call us on 0288 225 1241. Outside of office hours you can report the incident to our accident and breakdown partner NI Auto Assist, on 02890 941660.

Yes, depending on the insurer. Get in touch and we’ll work out the best option to make the most out of your no claims bonus.

Household insurance, also known as home insurance, is a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection against damage or loss to your home and its contents. It typically covers risks such as fire, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters.

Household insurance usually includes two main types of coverage:

• Buildings Insurance: Covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, and permanent fixtures.
• Contents Insurance: Covers personal belongings inside your home, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing. Some policies also offer additional coverage for valuable items like jewelry and artwork.

The premium for household insurance is calculated based on several factors, including:

• Location: Homes in areas with higher crime rates or prone to natural disasters may have higher premiums.
• Property Value: The value of your home (the ‘sum insured’) and its contents.
• Security Measures: Homes with security systems, smoke detectors, and other safety features may qualify for lower premiums.
• Claims History: Have their been any previous claims or damage.
• Coverage Limits and Deductibles: Higher coverage limits can drive up cost, but can be mitigated by a higher excess.

Yes, household insurance policies typically have exclusions. Common exclusions include:

• Wear and Tear: Damage due to normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance
• Flooding: Some insurers do not cover flood damage in Northern Ireland ro apply special tersm – speak to us about flood cover in your area
• High-Value Items: Items above a certain value may not be fully covered unless specifically listed in the policy.
• Acts of War: Damage caused by acts of war or terrorism is usually excluded.

Commercial van insurance is designed to protect your van when it’s used for business purposes, such as transporting goods, making deliveries, or traveling to job sites. It’s essential because it covers potential risks like accidents, theft, and damage, ensuring your business options aren’t disrupted.

• Third-Party Only: Covers damage to other vehicles and property.
• Third-Party, Fire, and Theft: Includes third-party coverage plus protection against fire damage and theft of your van.
• Comprehensive: Covers third-party, fire, and theft, as well as any damage to your own van

When selecting a van insurance policy, consider the following:

• Business Usage: Ensure the policy covers how you use your van (e.g., deliveries, transporting equipment).
  
• Level of Coverage: Choose a policy that provides adequate protection for your business needs.
  
• Additional Coverage: Look for options like breakdown cover, tool and equipment insurance, and no-claims discount protection
  Speak to our team and find the best deals for you

In the UK, certain types of business insurance are legally required. the main two are Employers’ Liability and Motor Insurance.

• Employers’ Liability Insurance: If you have employees, you must have this insurance to cover claims from employees who are injured or become ill due to their work
• Motor Insurance: If your business uses vehicles, you must have at least third-party motor insurance to cover damage or injury to others

Public Liability Insurance covers your business against claims made by third parties for injuries or damage to their property caused by your business activities. This insurance is not legally required but is highly recommended, especially if your business interacts with the public, clients, or customers. It helps protect against potentially costly legal fees and compensation claims.

Professional Indemnity Insurance protects your business against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions made by clients as a result of your professional services or advice. This is crucial for businesses that provide consultancy, advice, or professional services, as it covers legal costs and any compensation awarded to the claimant.

The amount of business insurance you need depends on several factors, including the size of your business, the industry you operate in, and the specific risks associated with your business activities. We can help you assess your risks to determine the right level of cover. A small retail shop’s requirements will differ from a large factory, so talk to one of our team.

Yes, you can obtain business insurance before officially registering your business. This can be particularly useful if you want to ensure you are covered from the moment you start trading. However, you will need to provide accurate information about your business activities and structure to get an appropriate policy.

Farm insurance is a specialised type of insurance designed to cover the unique risks associated with running a farm. It typically includes coverage for farm property, equipment, livestock, and liability. Farmers need this insurance to protect their livelihood from unexpected events such as natural disasters, accidents, and theft.

A comprehensive farm insurance policy usually includes:

• Property Coverage: Protects farm buildings, equipment, and personal property.
• Liability Coverage: Covers legal liability for injuries or damages caused to others on your farm.
• Livestock Coverage: Provides protection for your animals against risks like disease, theft, and accidents.
• Crop Insurance: Covers losses due to natural disasters, pests, and other perils.
• Business Interruption: Compensates for lost income if your farming operations are disrupted by a covered event.

Farm insurance premiums are calculated based on several factors, including:

• Size and Type of Farm: Farms away from the coast or that do not sit in flood plains may pay less for insurance
• Location: Farms in areas close to the coast or that sit in flood plains may pay more for their cover
• Value of Insured Property: The total value of buildings, equipment, and livestock being insured
• Claims History: How many cliams have occurred in the last few years, what was the cause, and how much was paid by the previous or current insurer
• Coverage Limits and Deductibles: Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles typically result in higher premiums

Yes, we have access to several insurers who have customisable farm insurance policies. We can help you tailor your coverage to fit the specific needs of your farm and any other business interests you have. We’re farmers ourselves, so we know what we’re talking about!

Private car motor insurance is an insurance policy that provides financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions, as well as against your liability that could arise from incidents in your car. It can also offer protection against theft and damage to the car from events other than traffic collisions.

‘Insurance premiums are higher for young drivers because they are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents due to their lack of driving experience.

The main types are:

• Third Party Only: Covers damage to others and their property.
• Third Party, Fire and Theft: Includes third party cover plus protection if your car is stolen or catches fire.
• Comprehensive: Covers third party, fire, and theft, plus damage to your own car

Some tips include:

• Choosing a car in a lower insurance group.
• Adding a more experienced driver to your policy (without fronting).
• Installing a telematics device (black box) to monitor your driving.
• Reducing your annual mileage

A no-claims bonus is a discount on your premium for each year you don’t make a claim. It can significantly reduce your insurance costs over time.

This depends on your policy. Some comprehensive policies allow you to drive other cars with third party only cover. We can check the specifics for you.

The maximum coverage limit for medical expenses can vary widely between policies, but it typically ranges from £1 million to £10 million. Most policies do include emergency repatriation, which covers the cost of returning you to the UK if necessary. Speak to us, and we’ll arrange the right cover for you and your family.

Many travel insurance policies offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but you must declare them when purchasing the policy. This usually involves completing a medical screening questionnaire. Failure to declare pre-existing conditions can result in claims being denied.

Many insurers now include some level of Covid-19 cover. This can include cancellation if you contract Covid or a similar virus before your trip, medical expenses if you fall ill while traveling, and additional costs like quarantine hotel stays. However, coverage can vary, so it’s important you speak to Dickson’s and we’ll check the policy cover for you.

Standard travel insurance policies often exclude high-risk activities or sports. However, we can add an extension to cover these activities.

The excess amount is the portion of a claim you must pay yourself before the insurance covers the rest. This amount can vary but is typically between £50 and £500. Some policies offer an excess waiver option, which can be purchased for an additional premium to reduce or eliminate the excess. We can offer you a range of options.

Yes, there are often exclusions and limitations for personal belongings and baggage cover. Common exclusions include unattended items, wear and tear, and high-value items exceeding the policy’s single item limit. It’s important to review the policy details to understand what is and isn’t covered.