Allowing your existing car insurance policy to renew automatically can be a costly mistake as most companies will often increase your annual premium by a significant amount. For this reason, it is essential that drivers compare cover online to obtain very cheap car insurance. This will help you ensure you’re getting a competitive deal from a leading provider. In this guide, we have put together a list of 9 helpful ways to lower your costs even further.
- Limit your annual mileage
Motorists that limit the number of miles they drive each year will be a lower risk to insurance firms. As you’ll be on the roads less, this reduced risk should result in a cheaper quotation. However, it’s important to remember that you should always provide an accurate estimation of the number of miles you think you’ll be travelling on a yearly basis. If you provide false information, your policy could become invalid.
- Improve vehicle security
You can also get cheaper premiums by improving the security of your car. Devices such as alarms, immobilisers and locking wheel nuts can be installed to help in this regard. These should deter thieves and will reduce the chances of your vehicle being stolen. Insurers will also be able to give you a better deal if they can see that your car is at a lower risk of being stolen by criminals. Drivers can also see how much of a difference it makes to their quote before getting any security upgrades fitted to help them better understand the cost savings on offer.
- Build up your no claims discount
This shouldn’t come as a surprise but motorists who claim less often will be able to obtain a cheaper car insurance policy. This is why it’s an excellent idea to build up a no claims discount. We are not advocating that you refuse to pursue a claim if you’re involved in an incident, although, not every incident needs to be pursued. For example, if your car receives a very small scratch, it may be cheaper to take it to a local garage for repair rather than going through the claims process as you’ll likely save more in the long term. Additionally, adhering to road safety rules and regulations strictly will mean that you’re less likely to be involved in an incident compared to someone who takes a lot of risks.
- Increase your voluntary excess
Selecting a higher voluntary excess when comparing car insurance should lower your yearly premium. Nonetheless, remember that you will be expected to pay this higher excess should you make a claim, for this reason, choose a figure that you feel comfortable with. Remember that you can compare how each excess amount affects your total premium, a useful way to see if the difference in savings is worth it.
- Only purchase what you require
When comparing car insurance products, you will be presented with a number of optional extras to choose from. Many of these can be quite helpful but will inevitably come at a cost. Drivers should consider what is important to them when making a purchasing decision. Breakdown cover is one of the most popular optional extras that can be included.
- Modifications should be avoided
Many younger drivers and a number of car enthusiasts like to modify their vehicles with audio, cosmetic and performance upgrades. These may seem attractive at first but can have an adverse effect on your car insurance through raised costs. Furthermore, new alloy wheels, body kits, neon lights and performance upgrades will make your car a top target for thieves. Modified cars will often cost more to repair or replace in comparison to an ordinary stock car due to these expensive parts.
- Telematics policy
Telematics car insurance, sometimes referred to as ‘black box cover’ will calculate your premium based on your driving behaviour. It looks at factors such as your driving speed, cornering, braking and even the time of day/night you drive. This data is recorded by a small black box which is fitted inside your vehicle. Vehicles that are stolen can also be tracked as an added bonus. This type of cover is popular amongst younger and/or beginner drivers with less experience.
- Pay for your premium annually
Many car insurance firms will charge you interest for choosing to pay monthly. If you have the means to do so, you should pay for your premium in one lump sum. Normally, the difference between the two payment options will be equivalent to about one month’s cost. It is worth noting that some insurers will not charge you extra for choosing monthly Direct Debit, worth keeping in mind when comparing various companies and their pricing.
- Use a comparison site to get very cheap car insurance
Online price comparison sites are the best way to find cheaper car insurance. You could save hundreds of pounds on your renewal and it shouldn’t take you longer than 15 minutes. This makes it very worthwhile if you wish to obtain the best deal.
To conclude, by combining the above steps, you will be able to obtain a competitive car insurance renewal quote. There are many more tips available online, but the ones listed in this guide are amongst the most effective and popular ways to reduce your annual premium.