David had just bought his first car and was excited to start driving. However, he knew that he needed to get car insurance before he could legally drive on the roads. His father had recommended that he compare quotes from several insurance companies. David spent the entire evening researching different insurance options online. He discovered that there were many factors that affected the price of car insurance. His age, driving experience, and the type of car he owned all played a role in determining the cost. The next morning, David decided to visit a local insurance office to speak with an agent directly. He walked into the office and was greeted by a friendly receptionist. 'Good morning, how can I help you today?' she asked with a warm smile. 'I recently bought a car and I need to get insurance,' David explained. The receptionist nodded and asked him to take a seat while she called an insurance agent. After a few minutes, a man in a dark suit approached David and introduced himself. 'Hello, my name is Mr. Thompson and I will be helping you with your insurance today,' he said. They shook hands and walked together to Mr. Thompson's office. The office was small but well-organized, with several certificates hanging on the wall. 'Please, have a seat and tell me more about your car,' Mr. Thompson said as he sat down behind his desk. David explained that he had purchased a used sedan that was five years old. The agent typed the information into his computer and asked several more questions. 'How many kilometers do you expect to drive per year?' he inquired. David thought about it for a moment and estimated around fifteen thousand kilometers. Mr. Thompson also asked about where David would park the car at night. 'I have a garage at my apartment building,' David replied. The agent explained that parking in a garage would help reduce the insurance premium. David was relieved to hear this since he had been worried about the cost. Mr. Thompson then explained the different types of coverage that were available. 'The most basic option is third-party liability insurance,' he began. 'This covers damage you might cause to other vehicles or property, but not your own car.' David nodded, trying to understand all the information being presented to him. 'If you want more protection, you could consider comprehensive coverage,' the agent continued. 'This includes protection against theft, fire, and damage from natural disasters.' David considered his options carefully while Mr. Thompson waited patiently. 'What would you recommend for someone in my situation?' David asked. The agent leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. 'Since you are a new driver with a used car, I would suggest starting with comprehensive coverage.' 'It will give you peace of mind while you gain more driving experience.' David appreciated the honest advice and decided to follow the recommendation. Mr. Thompson began preparing the quote and explained each component of the premium. 'The total annual premium for comprehensive coverage would be eight hundred euros,' he announced. David was surprised because the price was lower than he had expected. 'That seems reasonable,' David said with relief in his voice. The agent smiled and added that there were several ways to lower the premium even further. 'If you install an approved anti-theft device, you could receive a ten percent discount.' David made a mental note to look into getting an anti-theft system installed. Mr. Thompson also mentioned that paying the full annual premium upfront would save money. 'Monthly payments are convenient, but they come with an additional processing fee,' he explained. David thought about his finances and decided that he could afford to pay annually. Before finalizing the policy, the agent asked David if he had any questions. 'What happens if I need to make a claim?' David asked curiously. Mr. Thompson explained the claims process in detail, making sure David understood each step. 'First, you would need to contact our twenty-four-hour claims hotline,' he said. 'Then, an assessor would be assigned to evaluate the damage to your vehicle.' David felt reassured knowing that help would be available around the clock. He also asked about what would happen if someone else caused an accident. 'In that case, the other driver's insurance would typically cover your repairs,' Mr. Thompson replied. 'However, your comprehensive coverage would protect you if the other driver is uninsured.' David was impressed by how thorough the explanation had been. He decided to proceed with the policy and asked what documents he needed to provide. 'I will need a copy of your driver's license and the vehicle registration document,' the agent said. David had brought all the necessary paperwork with him, which pleased the agent. Mr. Thompson made copies of the documents and entered the details into his computer system. After a few minutes of typing, the agent printed out the insurance policy for David to review. 'Please read through this carefully and let me know if you have any questions,' he instructed. David took his time reading the document, making sure he understood all the terms and conditions. He noticed a clause about the deductible and asked the agent to explain it. 'The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage begins,' Mr. Thompson explained. 'Your policy has a two hundred euro deductible, which is quite standard.' David understood and was satisfied with the terms of the policy. He signed the contract and provided his bank details for the annual payment. Mr. Thompson congratulated him on getting his first car insurance policy. 'You will receive your insurance card in the mail within five business days,' he informed David. 'In the meantime, I will give you a temporary proof of insurance that you can keep in your car.' David thanked Mr. Thompson for his help and patience throughout the process. The agent smiled and handed David his business card. 'If you ever have any questions or need to make changes to your policy, feel free to contact me.' David put the business card in his wallet and shook hands with the agent one more time. As he left the office, David felt a sense of accomplishment. He had successfully completed an important step in becoming a responsible car owner. David walked to the parking lot where his new car was waiting for him. He sat in the driver's seat and placed the temporary insurance document in the glove compartment. For the first time, he could legally drive his car on the public roads. David started the engine and felt the excitement building inside him. He carefully backed out of the parking space and drove onto the main road. The traffic was light, and David enjoyed the smooth ride through the city streets. He thought about all the places he could now visit with his car. Having his own car meant freedom and independence. When David arrived home, he called his father to share the good news. 'I got my insurance today,' David said proudly. His father was pleased and asked about the coverage and price. David explained everything he had learned about car insurance that day. 'You made a wise choice by getting comprehensive coverage,' his father said approvingly. David felt happy that his father approved of his decision. Later that evening, David read through the insurance policy one more time. He wanted to make sure he fully understood his rights and responsibilities as a policyholder. He noted the renewal date and added a reminder to his calendar. David realized that getting car insurance was just one of many adult responsibilities. However, he felt confident that he could handle whatever challenges lay ahead. The experience of getting insurance had taught him the importance of being prepared and asking questions. As David turned off the light and went to bed, he smiled thinking about tomorrow. He was looking forward to many adventures on the road with his insured car. Getting car insurance had been easier than he thought, and now he was ready for whatever the road might bring.
English Story (B1)Getting Car Insurance
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
David buys his first car and needs to get insurance before driving. He visits an insurance office where agent Mr. Thompson explains different coverage options, from basic liability to comprehensive insurance. After learning about premiums, deductibles, and discounts, David chooses comprehensive coverage and signs his first policy.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What did David's father recommend he do before getting insurance?
2
What type of insurance coverage did Mr. Thompson recommend for David?
3
How much was the annual premium for David's comprehensive coverage?
4
What could David install to receive a ten percent discount on his insurance?
Vocabulary
38 words from this story
