How to save on car insurance continued..

Auto renewal quotes should be always challenged. Loyal customer discount for car insurance renewal is a myth, as there is a admin (renewal) fee often included specially if there are any modifications.

Car insurance are set by the so called financial experts who try to calculate risk and uncertainty based on information you provide.

The price depends on two things: (a) assessment of your particular risk focus based on factors you declare and (b) pricing model so that only low risk customers are offered best price.

See the following factors which is used for risk assessment:

1. European Court of Justice's gender equalisation ruling - December 2012. It means all things being equal, men and women must pay the same. all male drivers review if your premium is high.
   
2. You must renew your driving license photo every 10 years - Check section 4b on the front of the card.
3. Fit an approved alarm or immobilisers if not factory fitted for your car.
4. Add a second responsible driver to your policy. Fronting is illegal - always name the main driver (registered car owner) correctly.
5. Make realistic estimate your annual mileage and declare.
6. Always declare change in circumstances. If you don't and then try to claim, even for an unrelated issue, your whole policy may be invalid.
7. Do not modify your car in any way.  A modification is anything that isn't part of the standard vehicle specification, including factory-fitted optional extras such as alloy wheels.
8. Policy Excess - small claims may cost more in later year insurances. Why not choose a large excess if affordable.
9. Electronic sharing of data between various insurance and gov agency means you are risking a criminal prosecution by lying on your insurance form.
10. Job descriptions matters - certain words indicate high risk. unemployed is not the same as home-maker (housewives /house-husbands), and barman, bar-staff are two job description. Work in a office - secretary, office assistant, PA to director are examples.
    
11. Popular make & model of cars, small engine size and market value impacts car insurance positively.
12. Protect your no-claims bonus if you have not claimed in last few years.
13. Pay in full - instalments costs much more.

Advise of young drivers how to reduce insurance costs:

1. Learn on an automatic gear car first to gain confidence and car control then if you want to change and learn to drive on manual gear car makes it easy.
   
2. Learn to drive when you are 17 years old and pass the exam (when 18) even if you are not likely to drive on a daily basis. Add yourself as a named driver on parents car and gain experience by driving with an experienced driver.
3. .... after three years driving on full licence (hopefully with no accidents) get your own car and insurance as the main driver (add an experienced driver as additional on the policy).
4. Perhaps have a Telematics (black-box) driving tracker/monitor installed. Following data may be taken from the black-box:
   

• your location
• how long you've been driving for
• how rapid or measured your acceleration is
• how harsh or smooth your braking is
• your cornering speed & skill

The art of effective & speedy car Insurance quotes:

• Fact: trial & error method is effective make the most
  
• Use comparison sites (moneysupermarket, confused, tesco, gocompare etc) also Google car insurance search, Compare The Market & QuoteZone.
• Get quotes from big insurers direct (AVIVA & Direct-Line) to verify results from comparison sites.
• Some insurers provide excellent multi-car policy with additional names drivers on the policy
  
• Use cash-back site like Quidco Moneyback, Top Cashback

Third party car insurance is not always the cheaper - always check fully comprehensive quotes.

Note: You may use a cash-back credit card to pay for your car insurance policy in full if you also pay the credit card in full by direct debit.

Policy Checks:

1. Double check all personal details.
2. Check if the cover is adequate to your needs.
3. Do you want extras if additional premium added?

• courtesy car

• rescue cover

• loss of keys

• child car seat