How to make sure you’re getting the best deal out of your car insurance

Car insurance can be one of the main things that put drivers off getting a car. With new drivers facing annual costs into the thousands, it’s not cheap to be a motorist on the roads. However, you could be paying over the odds, so here are our tips on how to get the best price on your insurance.

1.     Pay annually

Paying smaller chunks monthly may sound like a better option, but over the course of a year you’ll end up spending more. It’s not always possible to pay the cost upfront, but you’ll be expected to pay interest if you pay it monthly. Annual payments might be the better option if you want to save money in the long run.

2.     Use price comparison websites

The task of finding insurance can be daunting, but thankfully there are websites you can use to make it a little easier. Be clear on you what you’re looking for, because not all insurance quotes cover the same things. Not all companies put their rates on these websites either, so use them as a base guide and do your own research. You might even be able to haggle a better deal on the phone.

3.     Think about cost-cutting gadgets

Immobilisers, tracking devices, alarms and black boxes are all things that can reduce your premium. If you have a newer car, some of these may have already been installed so check to see if you can save some money. These will be especially useful for younger drivers, with a black box dramatically reducing your quote.

4.     Be accurate when you fill in the forms

While it’s important not to underestimate things like mileage and usage when you’re signing up for insurance, don’t overestimate either. If you only use your car to nip to the shops, don’t say you use it for anything more than that. Saying you drive more miles than you actually do means you’ll be paying a higher rate, so try and get it as close as possible. Also, if you can park your car in a garage or somewhere secure, do it. You’ll save money by not parking your car on the road.

5.     Choose your car wisely

Not all cars are made equal – there are different factors that will affect how much you pay for insurance. Some cars cost more to repair and replace, so insurance prices will go up to match this. If your car can reach higher speeds or accelerates faster than the average car, this makes the car more of a risk and so premiums will go up. Even factors such as theft risk come into play, because some cars are more popular for theft than others. Find out what car insurance group your car is in as the lower the number, the cheaper the insurance.