It’s something we all need to drive legally in this country, yet many people don’t have the right level of cover, or are paying too much for their needs. Confusion is a major factor in this, as there is an overwhelming amount of things to consider, and companies to compare. Often people will just take the first quote they find, or go with a company that their friend or relative is with, simply to avoid further hassle.
With the internet age there is a much simpler way to shop for car insurance. Comparison sites are cropping up all over the web, and enable you to input your details and see a variety of quotes from different suppliers in the same place.
The minimum legal policy in the UK is Third Party. This will cover the driver for injuries to other people and passengers, property or damage from attachments such as trailers or caravans. Third Party, Fire and Theft covers all the above plus cover if the vehicle is set on fire or stolen.
Fully Comprehensive covers all of the above plus damages to your vehicle no matter what the cause. It also covers damage or loss to personal items in the car. Sometimes you can also be covered to drive someone else’s vehicle in an emergency.
Usually, the above policies will include a courtesy car in the event of a claim, free European cover and legal aid, as long as the claim is not your fault. Some also include roadside assistance and recovery, giving you access to a helpline 24/7. Check your policy to see if these are standard or added extras, and whether you’d be covered for replacing locks and personal effects in the event of a theft.
Several factors determine how much you pay for your
car insurance.
Your age is a big decider, as is your gender. Statistically speaking, women are a lower insurance risk than men, with the under 25’s of both genders being classed as the highest risk. The over 50’s are seen as the lowest risk age group, and can receive the lowest premiums.
The car you drive can also affect your premiums. Those that tend to run up expensive repair bills, and high performance vehicles will attract higher premiums, and also the cars most popular with the ‘boy racer’ crowd can be higher than you’d expect for a small car. Shop around for more than one
car insurance quote for different cars before buying, so you don’t get any nasty surprises when you come to insure your new car.
If you live in an area with a high crime rate, or heavy volume of traffic, this can bump up your premiums because insurance companies will see you as more likely to need a claim. Consider the option of storing your car in a private drive, or a garage, as this will help to overcome this factor and reduce your premium slightly.
Getting
cheap car insurance needn’t be impossible if you know a few tricks. Building a No Claims bonus can get you as much as 65% off your insurance with some companies, if you go for 5 years or more without a claim. Paying a higher excess will also bring your premiums down – but make sure you can comfortably afford a higher excess before you commit to it.
Any car modifications can have an impact too. Some, like fitting security devices such as immobilisers, alarms or trackers, can lower your premiums because it reduces the risk of theft. But other mods like bodykits, alloys, tinted windows and other things that are typical of a ‘boy racer’ car can be detrimental to your premium.
Before committing to an insurance policy, consider all the above points, think if there’s any way you could change anything, and get several quotes to find the best deal.
