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Cheap Car Insurance

How you could get a cheaper car insurance premium

If you're trying to find cheap car insurance it pays to shop around, because the car insurance market is a highly competitive one. On the one hand, the cost of accident repairs and personal injury claims is pushing car insurance premiums upwards, while on the other, competition for your premium acts to keep price rises in check. With insurance costs rising, some insurers may trim policy benefits to produce a 'cheap' premium, so when you're comparing policies make sure you compare like with like, and look closely at the policy benefits rather than price alone.

Policy benefits can make a real difference to your peace of mind, so it's worth checking whether a policy provides a courtesy car while yours is being repaired or offers the cover you need for driving in Europe. Help with the recovery of uninsured losses, which could include your out of pocket expenses following an accident, is another useful benefit to look out for. Once you've considered the benefits a policy offers, always check the compulsory excesses before accepting a quote.

While it pays to shop around for cheap car insurance, there are things you can do which could help reduce the cost of your current car insurance premium.

Think about your driving

If you're looking for a reduction on your next car insurance premium it's worth thinking about the driving you do. Thinking about how you drive can help. Stay within the speed limit. If you get flashed by a speed camera, a speeding ticket is likely to cost you an increase in your premium. Think about how much driving you do. If you can cut the annual mileage on your vehicle, perhaps by cutting back on shorter local journeys or using other forms of transport, you are likely to cut your premium as well.

A secure car can reduce insurance costs

If you can avoid it, don't park your car on the street at night. Keeping your car on a drive is preferable, but if you have a garage, make sure you use it, and lock it at night, because the extra security could bring you a discount on your premium.

Improving the security of your motor vehicle can also help towards reducing your car insurance premium. Insurance companies can advise on which security devices will bring a discount. Tracking devices and immobilisers are likely to attract the best discounts.

Cheap car insurance for young drivers

If you're a young or newly-qualified driver, it's worth considering the Driving Standards Agency's Pass Plus initiative. The course helps you improve your driving experience in key areas like driving at night and on motorways, and could get you a discount on your car insurance.

Learn more about cheap car insurance for young drivers

Cheap car insurance for older drivers

If you're approaching retirement and looking forward to putting the daily drive to work behind you, there's more good news. Once you retire you'll be able to tell your insurer about a significant reduction in your annual mileage, which could bring a reduction in your premium.

If you're a parent with teenage children, who are learning to drive, it's worth encouraging them to buy their own car and insure it themselves, as you'll be helping them towards their own no-claims discount and cheaper car insurance in the long run. If you are thinking about getting your son or daughter insured as an additional driver of your car, it's worth bearing in mind that if they have an accident your no-claims bonus will be affected.

If you're looking for a better car insurance deal, you could try Saga's insurance comparison website for the over 50s.

Paying a voluntary excess for cover

Finally, consider how much you'd be prepared to pay out if you have to make a claim. If you can afford to pay another £100 or £200 as a voluntary excess your annual premium costs may come down.