Five top tips to reduce your car insurance bill and save THOUSANDS

WITH fuel prices and energy bills set to soar many are rightly worried about the cost of their monthly bills.

With the average Brit paying over £400 every year, here we share with you some tips that will cut the cost of your car insurance bill…

1

To ensure you get the best price CarMats.co.uk have given the top six ways to make sure you’re getting the best price.

Shop around 

This year, a new law has come in banning insurance companies from charging existing customers more than new ones for policies.

This is set to stop the practice of ‘price walking’, in which insurers increase premiums each year for existing customers. Although this means the end of discounts for new customers, it could still be worth switching insurers.

The new law doesn’t mean your insurance bill will remain fixed and insurers could still increase your premium based on your potential risks. This includes your neighbourhood and your annual driving record, among other factors. 

Not all insurers factor in risks the same, so, if you are getting your first-ever insurance, renewing coverage or switching to a different insurer, you can still save money by comparing rates from different companies. We’d recommend obtaining a few quotes from insurance providers to find the best deal suited to you and your car.

Lower your mileage 

Started working from home since the pandemic but not changed your annual mileage? You could save yourself a hefty chunk by calculating and updating your premium with your new mileage. 

If your mileage hasn’t been affected by the pandemic, you could look to reduce your driving time in other ways. We’re all guilty of hopping in the car for even the shortest of journeys, but it may be time to get your walking shoes for shorter trips, as it could cut the cost of your car insurance bill. 

Many companies offer discounts if you have a lower mileage count because it reduces your time on the road – meaning you’re less likely to make a claim.

If you’re looking to cut down on your car usage, you could:

• Walk more
• Carpool with colleagues
• Take a train or coach for extra-long journeys
• Take up cycling

Purchase a cheaper/insurance-friendly car 

If you’re on the hunt for a new car, it’s worth considering which vehicle will fare best with your insurance company. 

Insurance quotes assess a number of factors, including the vehicle, its model, engine size, purchase price, repair costs and safety history.

Generally, more expensive cars will cost more to repair and replace if they are damaged in an accident, therefore it may be worth looking at better-valued vehicles. 

Buy multi-car insurance

A family of motorists could also cut the cost of their bill by purchasing multi-car insurance if there are two or more vehicles residing at the same address.

Not only is a joint-car policy more convenient to subscribe to, saving you time to acquire, but it often works out cheaper by combining the cover of all vehicles. 

However, in some rare circumstances, separate policies will be cheaper – so, it’s worth doing thorough research first.

Get a black box 

Some insurance companies offer ‘Black Box Insurance’, which records and transmits data about how you drive to your insurer.

If you’re a high-risk driver and have had previous accidents, driving offences or points on your licence,  this type of insurance might be more suited to you as it could help you become a safer driver, and ultimately, lower your premium.

If, as listed in point 2, you want to lower your mileage to reduce costs, many companies also offer a mileage tracker with a black box transmitter. You can agree to limit yourself to a set amount of annual miles and this will affect your car insurance costs. 

Pay upfront 

Although it may seem costly upfront, paying your car insurance bill in one purchase is a great way to reduce your bill overall. 

Most major insurers will offer a discounted price for a one-off payment as it guarantees their payment for the 12-month period. It also means you will avoid entering into a credit agreement that involves paying interest on the sum calculated by your insurance company.