Seven steps to cheaper car insurance

Whether you’re male or female, young or old, one thing is for certain – with a little bit of knowledge, you can reduce your car insurance premiums. With these handy tips, you should be well on your way to finding cheaper car insurance in as little as five minutes!

1) Compare car insurance
This is undoubtedly the best way to ensure you’re getting the best deal. By using a car insurance comparison service, you can compare like-for-like policies and find a company that will offer you the best cover for less than their competitors.

2) Protect your no-claims bonus
While this may increase your premium by a couple of pounds a year, it’s worth bearing in mind that long-term, the best way to keep your insurance costs down is to protect your no-claims bonus. However, it’s always worth checking your policy to ensure it remains protected if you’re at fault in an accident. Read the small print provided by each of the insurance companies you interact with!

3) Keep your car secure
By fitting an immobiliser, approved alarm or tracking device, you can expect to save in the region of 5% on your annual premium. A lot of new vehicles come with these as standard, so be sure to check if your car has any – and remember to declare them when looking for car or motorbike insurance.

4) Reduce your mileage
If you travel less, you save more. For example, a reduction of 5000 miles per year could save the average driver around £50 per year. It’s important to be honest about your annual mileage, though – as any inaccuracies could jeopardise your claim.

5) Keep your vehicle on a drive/ garage
If your vehicle is secured on private property overnight, this could drastically cut your premium. There are other benefits to keeping your car in the garage, too. Just think – no more scraping ice off the windscreen on a cold winter’s morning.

6) Consider a “black box” policy
Many insurers offer policies where a telematics system is fitted to your vehicle. These systems monitor how your vehicle is driven, and if you drive well, you’re rewarded with lower premiums.

7) Only name regular drivers
If only you or your partner drives your car, van or motorbike, don’t name other drivers unless you really need to. If someone needs to drive your vehicle for a few days, you can always add them to the policy when the time comes.

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