Jan 12
28
While car ownership has never been particularly cheap, it often comes as a surprise to new drivers that one of the largest expenses is insurance. Even drivers with a long record of accident free motoring can face large premiums, but it’s young drivers who face the largest penalty for getting behind the wheel.
Very cheap car insurance can be difficult to find, but while the bill will always be higher than you’d like there are a few tricks you can use to push the cost as low as possible. Just follow these tips and you could cut a large chunk from the cost of your premiums.
1. Park Indoors
When looking for an insurance quote you’ll be asked a range of questions about the location of your vehicle, and you’d be surprised as to how your answers can affect your premiums. First, insurance companies refer to crime statistics for your area to gauge the risk of theft or damage while the car is parked. Naturally there’s little you can do about where you live, but you can do something about where you park.
Your insurance company will ask you where the car is stored overnight: on the street, on a driveway, in a garage or in a secure lot. The lowest premiums will be offered to drivers who keep their cars in a garage or secure parking lot. If you live in a busy, high crime area and intend to keep your car out on the street you can expect your insurance premiums to reflect the risk.
2. Drive a Smaller Car
One of the largest factors in insurance cost is the size of the engine. The greater the engine capacity, the higher the premiums. It’s almost impossible to find very cheap car insurance for powerful cars, so if you’re hoping for a good deal your best bet is to choose a car that provides the power you need, not the power you want.
3. Shop Around
The car insurance industry is a crowded business, and there are hundreds of companies vying for your money. It makes little sense, then, to simply go with the first quote. Online price comparison sites are a great way to play the field before picking your insurer. Most comparison sites offer the chance to play with the options, increasing or decreasing the excess amount to further reduce the price before you commit to a policy. You should spend a few hours shopping around before you make your decision.
4. Go Third Party
Comprehensive insurance is always the safest option, but if you need very cheap car insurance you may want to consider limiting yourself to a simple third party fire and theft policy. It’s the legal minimum level of cover but the savings over comprehensive insurance can be significant.
Before choosing third party coverage you should carefully consider your budget. If you can afford comprehensive you should always choose it, as the cost of repairing or replacing your own car in the case of an accident will always be much higher than the cost of comprehensive insurance premiums.
With a little time and a willingness to accept a compromise it’s always possible to find very cheap car insurance. Just keep your wits about you, work out what you really need and shop around. That’s all it takes.
The link below is not a bad place to start your search for very cheap insurance online.