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Car Insurance

What is car insurance?

Having car insurance ensures you are covered financially if the worst were to happen to your car. Such incidents could involve damage from an accident, theft, vandalisation and fire damage. Car insurance means you won't have to dig into your pocket to pay for potentially huge repair or replacement costs.

Car insurance is a legal requirement for cars driving on public roads. You will be heavily penalised if you are found to be driving without insurance. The minimum level of coverage you must legally have is third-party car insurance. Third-party insurance covers the damage to another person's car, for example, in a collision accident, but provides limited cover for your vehicle.

Quotes from over 110 top UK insurance providers

How much does car insurance cost?

Car insurance is either made up of an annual or monthly premium. Annual premiums are paid in a single lump sum when a policy is purchased; monthly premiums require a deposit and a monthly direct debit. Many factors come into play that will affect the cost of your car insurance. It needn't cost the earth when you take the time to compare premiums.

Why compare?

Compare Car Insurance Quotes in the UK

When looking for insurance on your new car, you want as much coverage as possible for the lowest price. Therefore, it is vital to compare UK insurance providers to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. Comparing car insurance at Insuro couldn’t be easier, and you’ll be saving money and driving away in no time. Understandably, car insurance comparisons can be complex, so we’ve compiled this guide to provide information in an easy-to-understand way, dispelling any industry myths.

A summary of the changes to car insurance experienced throughout 2024 so far:

In 2024, the landscape of car insurance, often called auto insurance in North America, has evolved significantly, introducing various benefits and dispelling many myths that once permeated the industry.

One notable advancement is using digital calculators that provide quick policy estimates, making it easier to find the cheapest options. These tools allow customers to compare a comprehensive list of insurance offerings daily and hourly and highlight the potential for significant cost savings, ensuring they receive the most current information possible.

Combined Policies

The introduction of tailored packages that combine home and car insurance has also gained traction, offering substantial savings and simplifying the management of multiple policies, such as home and car insurance or multi-car. This holistic approach to insurance provides significant savings and simplifies the management of various policies, making it particularly beneficial for those looking to streamline their expenses and paperwork. Additionally, searches for no-deposit and low-deposit insurance plans, which do not exist as products, have become more widespread. These searches appeal to young drivers and those with limited cash flow, who might find traditional payment structures prohibitive.

EV Insurance

Electric vehicles (EVs) have also impacted insurance trends significantly. With the rise in EV ownership, insurers have adapted by offering plans specifically designed for electric cars, considering their unique maintenance and repair costs. Moreover, the duration of insurance policies has seen more flexibility, with 6-month plans becoming more common, providing a perfect balance between short-term commitments and year-long contracts.

Locational relevance

For Northern Ireland (NI), where insurance premiums have historically been higher, there has been a concerted effort to align costs more closely with those of mainland UK, especially at renewal times. This adjustment has been a welcome change for NI residents, fostering a more equitable insurance landscape across the UK.

Our comprehensive guide to car insurance in 2024:

FAQs

What are the different types of car insurance?

Different types of car insurance provide various levels of coverage, and the premiums for each will vary depending on the additional coverage they offer. It is essential to consider your cover needs when selecting a type of car insurance.

Third-Party Car Insurance Comparison

Third-party insurance is the lowest level of coverage a driver in the UK can have, but not necessarily in terms of cost. It only covers damage incurred to other drivers and their cars in the event of an accident. Also, third-party insurance coverage will not cover repairing or replacing your vehicle.

Third-Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance Comparison

Third-party, fire and theft insurance includes all third-party insurance and cars stolen or damaged by fire. Importantly, this level of insurance does not cover the costs of damage to your vehicle in an accident.

Fully Comprehensive Car Insurance Comparison

Fully comprehensive car insurance provides the highest overall level of coverage. Also, it is fully comprehensive, includes coverage from all other policy types and physically protects the driver. For example, fully comprehensive car insurance coverage could cover medical treatment and legal costs. Despite offering the highest level of coverage, this type of insurance can often be very affordable. Compare fully comprehensive insurance with Insuro to see how much you can save.

What are the Different Levels of Cover?

You can choose from various options to avoid being insured in the long term, as insurance choices depend on individual circumstances. It is essential to ensure you are covered by the correct insurance when temporarily driving a vehicle.

Short-Term Cover

Short-term insurance coverage is a temporary form of car insurance that will cover the driver for a brief period of the agreed time. Typically, this can be between 24 hours and a month. This type of cover is an option for those who need to borrow or temporarily share a vehicle.

Use Abroad Cover

Using a car outside of the UK requires a different level of coverage from standard insurance. Ensure you have the appropriate type of cover for the country you will be driving in. This option suits those taking the car abroad on a family holiday.

Excess Protection Coverage

“Protection of excess” cover will maintain the level of excess you would have to pay, even after claiming your insurance. “Protection of excess” will ensure you aren’t paying higher amounts if you get into an accident.

Black Box Cover

Telematics, or ‘Black Box’ cover, partly allows your premium to be determined by how you drive. A black box in your vehicle will measure how you drive your car and determine how likely you are to make an insurance claimThe black box cover is perfect for new or younger drivers looking to bring down their insurance premiums.

Multiple Car Coverage

Multiple car insurance coverage can insure several cars and vehicles at a single address. Insuring several cars under a multi-insurance policy is much cheaper than insuring them individually. Multi-car insurance is an option for households that want to save money by insuring their vehicles under one policy.

How do I Insure Different Types of Cars?

Insurance will vary depending on your car type and any moderations it has had. Certain types of cars will be more expensive to insure than others. Consider this before buying your car; whether it will be affordable in the long run is essential.

Standard Car Insurance

Regarding insurance, providers consider a car less than 15 years old a “standard car.” Standard cars are the easiest and cheapest vehicles to insure. Compare standard car insurance through Insuro for an instant quote.

Imported Car Insurance

You can purchase imported cars worldwide and bring them to your home in the UK. However, they tend to be more expensive to insure. Import car insurance is due to a need for UK car specifications, making it harder for insurers to assess. Getting an imported car insurance quote before purchase is essential to determine affordability.

Sports Car Insurance

Sports cars can be a desirable option for buyers. Unfortunately, they can also be attractive to thieves. Sports cars are far more likely to be stolen than standard cars. Drivers of sports cars may also drive these vehicles faster than traditional cars, which increases risk. These factors combined lead to a higher and more expensive insurance premium.

Electric Car Insurance

Electric cars have become popular over recent years, and their environmentally conscious approach to travel has a massive appeal to the broader market. However, it is worth remembering that electric vehicles can be costly to insure. A high premium could be due to the technology involved in their creation, which can be expensive to repair if damaged.

Modified Car Insurance

Recently, cars have become more accessible for modifying personal tastes and preferences. However, a car’s performance and aesthetic modifications can increase your insurance premiums, which can be higher because specific improvements and changes can put your vehicle at more risk of a claim.

Does anything affect the cost of car insurance?

Myriad factors affect the cost of car insurance premiums. It is essential to consider these factors before buying a vehicle. Ensure that your car is affordable and that you can cover the insurance cost.

Making a Claim

Once you have claimed your car insurance, your premium will increase. Insurers increase premiums because they consider you a greater risk, and your history shows you are more likely to make a claim. On the other hand, not making claims and maintaining a no-claims discount will bring your annual premium down.

Age

A driver’s age plays a massive part in how expensive their car insurance will be. Older drivers tend to pay far less than younger and new drivers because they are considered more experienced and less likely to take risks on the road. Therefore, they pose less of a liability. Insurers expect brand-new drivers to have exceedingly high premiums, which will decrease as you get older and make fewer claims.

Profession

Insurers also consider a driver’s profession when assessing an insurance policy. They view some jobs as riskier than others, making those individuals more likely to file a claim. The safer your job is perceived, the lower your premium will be.

The amount you drive.

Those who spend more time on the road are more likely to pay higher insurance premiums. You are more likely to be involved in an accident than those with lower mileage. Things like commuting to work on public transport instead of driving will help to bring your mileage down and, therefore, your premium.

Location

Where you live and how you keep your car affects this insurance cost. Areas that have seen lower insurance claims mean your vehicle, too, will feel that benefit. Alternatively, if you live in an area that experiences high claims, you’ll likely pay more for insurance. Premiums will also be affected whether you have the security of a driver or garage to park your car overnight instead of street parking. This is considered more of a theft risk and will increase your insurance.

Criminal Convictions

If you have had past criminal convictions, your insurance is likely higher. Commonly, this is on your licence for things such as speeding. This deems you a higher risk to the car insurance company, so you will be expected to pay more.

Additional Drivers

Adding someone as an additional driver can decrease your overall premium when sharing a car. It is worth noting that this will only positively affect your policy if the other named driver is deemed “experienced” and maintains a no-claims discount.

How do I Decrease the Cost of my Car Insurance?

Running a car can be costly enough, so it’s always essential to decrease the cost of car insurance where possible. Luckily, there are several ways to do this. The best way to find the cheapest car insurance deal is by using comparison sites like Insuro.

Pay a Lump Sum Annually

It is more cost-effective to pay your annual premium lump sum at the start of a policy than to pay monthly by direct debit. These monthly payments incur an interest fee, making your premium more expensive. Pay your premium lump sum to decrease the overall cost if it is affordable.

Non-Claims Discount

Building up a no-claims discount will help to consistently bring down the cost of your car insurance each year. A no-claims deal is a benefit of always not making any insurance claims. It suggests you are a dependable driver with less risk and, therefore, can be charged less. The bigger your no-claims discount (the number of years without a claim), the cheaper your insurance will be.

Do your Research Before Buying a Car

Researching the overall running costs of a new car before committing to buying it is vital. Research includes fuel costs and, of course, insurance costs. Consider your circumstances and how they may affect your premiums. For example, a younger person may be able to afford monthly payments on a new car, but can they also afford the higher insurance costs?

Installing a Black Box

Installing telematics or a “Black Box” in your car is one of the easiest ways to reduce your premium costs. High premiums are particularly true for new or young drivers who can’t take advantage of a no-claims discount. This device monitors your driving, and your premium will decrease if you drive safely throughout the year. However, there is also the possibility it could increase if you have been driving recklessly. You can install Black Boxes yourself, which come at no extra cost. Some insurance companies may send out engineers to fit it in the vehicle for you, typically free.

Raise your Voluntary Excess

By increasing the amount you would pay towards a claim, you, in turn, can lower your premium. Voluntary excess is higher because the insurance companies know they will have to pay less in case of a claim. However, you must ensure you can then spend this excess.

Is there any additional coverage I can purchase?

Alongside your standard insurance policy, you can buy additional cover to protect yourself from specific situations that would otherwise require you to pay out-of-pocket to resolve. Consider your circumstances and if these other covers apply to you.

Courtesy Car Cover

Courtesy car cover means you will be provided with a car by your insurance company when you need it. For example, if you have your vehicle in the workshop for repairs due to damage. This cover ensures you are never left without a car and cannot make journeys.

Breakdown Cover

Breakdown cover assists when your car breaks down or won’t start. This means a mechanic will be sent to assess you, allowing you to continue your journey. This would otherwise have to be sourced at a potentially higher cost.

Non-Claims Protection

No-claims protection ensures that you can maintain your discount even when you have to make a claim. A no-claims bonus helps decrease the cost of your yearly premium. Without this cover, you could lose years of a built-up no-claims discount if you have to make a claim.

Personal Belongings Cover

The personal belongings coverage will compensate you for any belongings stolen from your car. Funding these replacements could prove very costly, especially if you have a lot of electronic equipment in the vehicle.

Car Keys Cover

Car keys cover the cost of lost car keys, and they will pay for replacement keys, key reprogramming, and stolen keys. Once again, this is costly to fund from your pocket.

Windscreen Cover

The windscreen cover protects your car’s windscreen from damage, such as chips and cracks. It also allows you to claim repairs and replace the windshield when accidents happen.

Personal Accident Cover

Personal accident cover could provide compensation in terms of physical injury. For example, an insurance company would give you and your next of kin a balance if you are hurt or killed in a car accident. This is a reasonable precaution to avoid costly medical bills, and you plan to ensure your family will always be cared for.

Wrong Fuel Cover

A wrong fuel cover can compensate when you use an incorrect fuel type for your vehicle at a fuel station—for example, mistakenly filling a petrol-fueled car with diesel fuel. This coverage covers the costs of draining your petrol tank, getting it cleaner, and any repairs needed.

Legal protection cover means that your costs will be covered if you are injured in a car accident and need to take legal action. For example, if you are involved or injured in an accident that was not your fault, legal protection cover would assist with funding your legal expenses. These costs could be astronomical if they are self-funded.

Our Top Tips for Comparing Car Insurance

Using comparison sites to save money on car insurance can sometimes be an overwhelming and confusing experience. Here at Insuro, we have streamlined the process to help you get a quote quickly. Find below some top tips when comparing car insurance policies for 2024 through the Insuro website:

Why Compare Car Insurance?

Insuro helps to make comparing car insurance easier. We take the hassle out of insurance and help you get the cheapest premiums. You can compare car insurance quotes through the easy-to-use online system before buying that dream car.

The comparison system (provided by Seopa) allows you to compare hundreds of suppliers with over 60 categories of car insurance. No matter your circumstances or needs, Insuro has you covered. So, what are you waiting for?

What should you consider when comparing car insurance companies?

Car insurance websites usually provide a range of informative and persuasive content to help potential customers understand their offerings and decide.

Here are common elements related to car insurance that you might find on their landing pages or dedicated sections:

1. Type of Cover

Explanation of the different types of car insurance cover they offer, such as Third Party Only, Third Party, Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive Cover.

2. Benefits and Features

The company provides detailed descriptions of the benefits and features of its car insurance policies.

3. Policy Options

Information on additional policy options like breakdown cover, windscreen cover, or protected no-claims discount.

4. Premium Information

Details about premium calculation, payment options, and factors affecting the premium.

5. Claims Process

Clear step-by-step guidance on how to file a claim and what to expect during the process.

6. FAQs

A section answering common questions regarding their insurance policies, claims, renewals, and customer service.

7. Legal and Policy Information

In-depth information on policy wording, terms and conditions, and legal aspects of the insurance cover.

8. Customer Support

Detailed information on how to reach their customer service for various inquiries.

9. Safety and Advice

Tips on safe driving, maintaining vehicles, and other relevant advice to avoid accidents or claims.

10. Testimonials

Stories or quotes from current customers sharing their experiences or satisfaction with the company’s car insurance.

11. Discounts and Offers

Search online for discounts and special offers, such as multi-car discounts, good driver discounts, or promotions for new customers.

12. Comparative Tools

Some sites might offer tools to compare different policy options or types of coverage they offer.

13. Online Services

Information about online services like policy management, online claims submission, or digital document access.

In summary, these considerations provide a holistic overview of car insurance offerings and aid in informing and converting website visitors into customers. Conversely, insurers might emphasise various elements depending on their unique selling propositions and target demographics.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s the best car insurance right now?

You first need to compare car insurance to get the best car insurance. What is best for one person isn’t necessarily always best for another. Your version of the best car insurance might work for your vehicle but does not apply to another vehicle or driver. As such, you need to ensure that you find the best car insurance for you by searching based on your specific criteria.

Where in the UK does the cheapest car insurance come from?

Car insurance comparison websites often have the cheapest car insurance available online. Comparing car insurance quotes on many car comparison websites will likely help you find the best deal. Sure, car insurance comparison websites have better arrangements with car insurance than others. Due to these arrangements, this may mean that in some instances, quotes come out more expensive for one car insurance comparison. In contrast, for a different type of car and a different driver, it may come out cheaper on another.

Who is the best car insurance provider in the UK?

There isn’t just the single best car insurance provider in the UK. What is best for one person will be different from another. Define what is best for you and then compare car insurance to car insurance online.

What is the cheapest car insurance to go through?

Each car insurance comparison website is different. There are many factors to consider when insuring drivers, so each insurance provider looks at various aspects. Additionally, comparison websites may have deals with a particular set of insurance providers, giving them preferential car insurance coverage rates. There is no single website that will provide the cheapest car insurance for everyone. Each website and provider will have a particular niche where they provide the cheapest car insurance.

How can I get a cheap car insurance quote?

Compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers to find the best rates for you. Sometimes, it’s best to add other drivers to your policy. Sometimes, changing the mileage may also impact policy. There are a variety of ways in which you can affect your quote when you compare car insurance.

Can I insure a car I don’t own?

You can compare car insurance for a car you do not own online, but you must ensure that you input factually correct information. You cannot take out a policy on a vehicle you do not own, but you may be able to take out a policy ahead of time, knowing that you will own the car.

What’s the best car insurance for you?

Comparing cheap car insurance online is likely the best way to find the right one. Only then can you know what the best car insurance is for you. Instead, it would be best if you took the time to research the best car insurance for you.

How do you get cheap car insurance quotes?

Starting your journey with a comparison engine could be the best way to get cheap car insurance quotes. However, no car insurance comparison website guarantees the most affordable quote, as this is impossible.

Can you get an insurance quote without a car?

Getting car insurance requires having a car. Although you don’t necessarily need to own the car, you must be listed as a named driver on the policy. Insurance can be obtained even if you don’t own the vehicle, but to arrange payment, you must either own the vehicle or be present with the car’s owner during the purchasing process.

How to insure a car?

To insure a car, you must first take out a policy with a car insurance provider. You can compare car insurance policies online with a car insurance comparison website. The insurance comparison website will not provide you with the insurance but will provide you with the information necessary to decide which car insurance to use. Car insurance comparison websites will enable you to compare car insurance from multiple providers and then redirect you to a car insurance provider to complete the journey.

How do you find information about a car?

The next step is to look on the DVLA website. You can use this service to check the details about a vehicle, including:

Additionally, you can use ‘askMID’ to check if your vehicle is insured before looking to compare.

Please note: Insuro is not responsible for the results provided by Seopa Ltd. Any information provided on this website is not advice.

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