No claims – Going for a year or more without making an insurance claim can get you varying discounts on your premiums. Some insurers also offer protected no claims, meaning you can make so many claims per year without your discount being affected.
Off-road – If you know you won't need to use your car for a while, instead of paying for insurance you don't need, declare your car off road with a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN). Your car must be kept off road during the period the SORN notice is valid, otherwise you could incur heavy penalties.
Premium – Paying your premium all in one lump sum at the beginning of your insurance year can usually work out cheaper than paying a monthly amount instead. If you can afford it, this is a good way to save money on
car insurance.
Quote – contacting a company for a quote doesn't mean you have to take insurance out with that company. Getting more than one
car insurance quote is a good way to find a cheaper policy and, because some insurers offer free extras, you can find yourself a great deal too.
Renew – When the time comes to renew your policy, don't automatically assume that your current insurer will still have the best deal. Many insurers have great introductory rates for the first year's premium so shop around to take advantage of this. Alternatively, apply as a new customer with your current insurer as you would still be able to get any introductory rates they have.
Size – The size of your car and its engine capacity is directly linked to the premium you pay. In a nutshell, the larger your car, the more difficult it is to manoeuvre and the more likely you are to be in an accident.
Torque – The same goes for the power under your bonnet. Insurers have found that a large number of accidents are caused by drivers not being able to handle their powerful cars, especially when modified to add horsepower, and consequently
cheap car insurance is generally reserved for low-power engines.
Underwriter – The Underwriter is the person responsible for assessing insurance risks within an insurance firm. They also calculate what premium an individual will pay.
Verify – When you receive the documents from your new insurer, check through all the details thoroughly to make sure all the information they have is whole and correct. If something is missing, contact your insurer straight away.
Weather – Weather damage can devalue your car, especially if you live in an area exposed to high winds and the other elements. This is where a garage or covered driveway can come in handy.
Xerox – As in photocopy. Make photocopies of all your insurance documents and keep the originals in a safe place. Keep the photocopies in the car with you in case you need them.
Young driver – Anyone under the age of 25 is classed as a young driver for insurance purposes, and will therefore be charged higher premiums. It may be worth looking at pay-as-you-go car insurance if you fall into this age group.
Zero No Claims – If this is your first insurance policy in your own name, chances are you will have zero no claims bonus. Some companies are now offering named drivers the chance to build up their no claims on someone else's policy, which is good news for younger, safe drivers. If you are a named driver ask your insurer if this will apply to you.
