Comprehensive insurance is also known as ‘full’ since it covers any damage to your car, or to third parties’ properties, as well as damage caused to your vehicle by fire. Comprehensive policies also cover theft or attempted theft of your vehicle, or from it.

A Third Party Fire and Theft insurance policy will cover any damages to third parties (others) involved in an accident with you if you are found to be at fault, plus cover for fire damage and theft or attempted theft.

A Third Party insurance policy only covers damages to third parties (others) caused by you. It is important to know that damages to your own vehicle would not be insured at all under this policy.

The value of your vehicle should be reviewed every year and this will affect the premium you pay, unless you are already paying a minimum premium. We will value your car according to the value guide published yearly by the Malta Insurance Association (MIA). This does not apply if you have a Third Party Only insurance.

If you disagree with this valuation, you can get your car valued by an approved professional surveyor. It is not advisable to increase your car value without verification by a survey report, because in case of a claim your insurer will base payments on the value set by the MIA Value Guide (unless this is superseded by a professional survey report).

An excess is an amount which you are required to pay when you claim. This is usually in the form of ‘the first €X of any claim’. For example, if you are claiming for damages of €2,500 and the excess is €110, you will pay €110 and we will pay €2,390.

Third Party Liability cover under your Policy will automatically cover you if you are travelling to an EU Country including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein up to the legal liability limits in these countries. If you have a Comprehensive or Third Party Fire & Theft Policy you are allowed up to 30 days free cover within the EU (including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) for damages to your own vehicle. However, should you exceed this duration, or should you visit countries outside the EU, and wish to cover damages to your vehicle, there will be an additional premium due. We will also give you a European Accident Report form in the event that you are involved in a motor accident when you are abroad.

Should you be travelling to a non-EU Country in Europe, you will need to have a Green Card issued for the duration of your travel by car and there will be an additional premium due even on Third Party Only Cover.

Your Atlas Private Comprehensive Policy gives you:

1. Increase in No Claim Discount to 65%
2. Free 30 Day Extension in the EU
3. Free Cover on Fitted Entertainment Equipment up to €350
4. Loss of Keys Cover up to €500
5. Legal Assistance up to a Limit of €1,000
6. Free Courtesy Car up to €100 Following a Motor Accident
7. Optional Car Hire Extensions at a reduced Premium
8. Free Protected No Claim Discount With Maximum No Claim discount
9. Windscreen Damage Extended to All Glass With a Higher Limit of €500
10. Increase in Personal Effects Limit to €250
11. MET Breakdown/Towing service
12. Cover for damage to the vehicle caused by fire or theft
13. No deduction for depreciation during first year
14. Benefits on personal accident

If the accident is a bumper to bumper collision, then you have to fill out a ‘Front to Rear’ form. For other accidents phone the Traffic Wardens on Tel. 2132 0202. Then contact Atlas within 24 hours and you will be guided on how to proceed. If you have an accident on a weekend, contact your insurer first thing on Monday morning. The wardens’ report will be automatically sent to the Insurance Companies of the parties involved in the motor accident.

If you have maximum No Claim Discount (65%), you will automatically be entitled to a free courtesy car up to a limit of €100. You can opt to purchase additional cover at different levels.

Should you not be at fault for the accident, the car hire expenses will be paid by the other party’s Insurance Company.

If you have a normal comprehensive, or third party fire and theft policy with full No Claim Discount, and you have a claim, your discount will be reduced rather than lost completely.

If you have a protected No Claim Discount, this will remain at the same level at next renewal provided that you do not claim more than once before your next renewal.

If you have a third party only policy, you will lose all your no claims discount after every claim.

The majority of claims are settled within one week from time of receipt of invoice from repairer provided all documentation is in order. Most claims are settled directly with the repairer and there is no need for you to pay anything.

Situations that cause delay in repairs or claim settlement arise from the availability of certain parts, since this would slow down the repair of vehicles.

Delays may also arise from the time it takes to reach an agreement on who is liable for the accident. However, if you have a comprehensive policy we will pay for your repairs irrespective of who is liable at law, and also fight your battles for you!

If you have any other queries, please don’t hesitate to call us.

With the best will in the world, concerns about some aspects of our service can occasionally arise. In such circumstances our staff have wide authority to settle problems and will do everything they can to help. This should be your first point of contact. If you are still not satisfied, please download the appropriate form. These documents guide you through our commitment to deal with your concerns promptly and fairly.

Clients may cancel their policy at any time by giving Atlas seven days' notice in writing. Atlas may cancel this policy by sending seven days' notice by registered letter to the last address given by the client. Any return of premium due will depend on how long the policy has been in force and whether any claims have been made. If the policy is cancelled any return premium will be calculated using Atlas' current short period rates.

The motor certificate must be returned to Atlas, and any refund will be calculated from the date it is received.

For all online transactions, there is also a 14 day 'cooling off period' during which the purchaser has the right to a full refund for the service purchased online should they change their mind.