Firstly, beware about the lowest quotes because they’re not always the best as the insurer will have stripped the policy of any extras such as:
- Courtesy car to use when your own car is in the garage;
- Accident helpline;
- Legal costs;
- Plus, the excess (the amount of money you’ll have to pay if you have an accident) will normally be high.
1. Research your prices
Use the price comparison sites such as MoneySavingSupermarket.com and Confused.com but don’t always rely on their prices. For example, if you get a quote of £250 from say Admiral Insurance (through a price comparison site) also go to Admiral’s site and see if they can beat it, many times they can.
2. Where’s the car kept overnight
Make sure the insurance company knows if you park the car in a garage or off-street in your drive.
3. How many miles per year
Think about your average yearly mileage (the average for most people is around 1,000 a month) and if it’s lower than 12,000 a year let your insurance company know as this will help reduce the premium.
4. What’s your job
Your premium can be influenced by your job. Landlords, journalists, and professional footballers to name but a few, all pay more. Go for a job title that’s rather more boring if you can, but don’t lie. For example if you’re a Landlord you might say you’re a property executive or in property management and sales.
5. Think about your excess
Consider paying a higher accident excess. The average excess is about £150. If you are prepared to increase your claims excess, your premium will fall significantly.
6. Fully comp or 3rd party
If you have a cheap or old car, consider buying just 3rd Party cover. Get quotes for both 3rd Party and comprehensive insurance and weigh up the savings.
7. Become a better driver
If you’re a new driver consider taking an advanced driving course. New drivers can slash their insurance costs by as much as 35% by taking Pass Plus lessons. These give you extra training for driving in rush hour traffic, motorway driving and night driving.
Lessons cost between £15 and £30 per hour. You can also reduce your premium if you’ve taken a course with the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
8. Check its insurance band
Check out the insurance group before you buy. Cars fall into one of 20 insurance groups with 1 being the cheapest and 20 the most expensive. If the proposed insurance premium is too high, choose a car that’s in a lower group.
9. Watch your points
For some people it’s hard not to speed but watch the speeding points. Most insurance companies will ignore one fixed penalty fine but get more and your premium will rise – if you have 3 points and are worried about speeding buy a Sat-Nav machine that alerts you to speed cameras.
10. No claims
If you have a no claims discount of more than 4 years make sure you pay to get the discount protected.
11. Alarm?
Get an engine immobiliser or alarm fitted. It could save you between 5-8% of the premium.
12. Keep cars under the one policy
Got more than one car in the home? Some insurers will give a discount for insuring them all in one policy.
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