Advice
Top ten ways to save on car insurance
Car insurance is compulsory, but here are ten ways to keep the cost down, as experts from comparethemarket.com explained to us.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 1 December 2022 | 0 min read
1. Compare prices
Some insurers will view the same driver very differently to others, and may well offer cheaper premiums to motorists like you. The only way to know which is cheapest is to compare different policies.
2. Add a more experienced driver
It may seem strange, but many insurers will cut the price of a policy that includes a more experienced named driver. However, you must only add another driver to your policy if they’re going to use the vehicle.
3. Consider accepting a higher excess
If you are willing to increase the voluntary excess – the amount you pay after an accident before the insurer coughs up – then your premiums will probably fall. Just be sure you can afford the excess you agree.
4. Protect your wheels
Insurers know that a car parked safely is less likely to be involved in an accident, so being able to park off the street or in a garage will often mean you qualify for cheaper premiums.
5. Drive carefully
The more years of driving you have without convictions or claims, the cheaper your cover will become.
6. Get a ‘black box’
Younger drivers especially could benefit from a pay-as-you-drive policy, where insurers check how safe a motorist is by installing a telematics device or ‘black box’ in their car. However, be aware that premiums can rise as well as fall depending on how well you drive.
7. Don’t pimp your ride
Alloy wheels and body kits might impress your passengers, but your insurer won’t be happy. Modifying a car almost always means the premium goes up.
8. Drive less
If you can tell your insurer you’ll be driving fewer miles a year, then your policy could well go down in price. Just don’t lie, because doing so can invalidate your cover.
9. Don’t auto-renew
Loads of drivers allow their policy to simply roll over for another year, but this can be expensive. Not only does auto-renewing mean you risk missing out on a better price from another insurer, it means you potentially miss out on the best price from your current insurer. Shop around when it’s time to renew.
10. Pay in one go
Some insurers allow you to pay your premium monthly, but this can mean paying interest on the full amount. It’s worth double checking if you’ll pay extra in order to pay monthly, and to pay the whole cost upfront if possible.