|
|
|
Car insurance quotes can vary so much, so it’s wise to shop around for the best deal and to understand exactly what you’re being quoted for. The policies offered from insurer to insurer can also vary significantly, so like-for-like comparisons aren’t always easy and it’s essential to look at the detail of each policy quote. Quotes are based on a complex set of calculations designed to determine the risk of covering you and your car. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so every quote is different. This means going through a long list of questions with every insurer you approach for a quote. If you’re doing this by phone, it can be time consuming. Time can be saved by obtaining quotes online, though, and insurance companies often offer an online discount. Another option is to use an insurance broker. You’ll only need to give all your details once and then the broker will do all the leg work for you, hopefully finding a range of suitable policies for you to choose from. Premiums are based on various risk factors, as explained below. The type of car you have – the make, size, age and engine capacity all affect the price of insurance. Look out for imports, which can be especially expensive as spare parts can aren’t always easy to come by so the cost of repair can be higher than more readily available cars. The annual mileage you do – it goes without saying that the more you drive, the higher your chances of being involved in an accident. How old you are and how long you have been driving – statistics show that your age and experience on the roads have an influence on how likely you are to be involved in a crash. Young drivers who have just passed their test are of course the most expensive to insure. If you’re finding it difficult to get insurance, there are some specialist brokers who can help you to get a policy – for example if you have driving convictions, if you have a sports car or if you are a young driver. Who else will be driving your car – if anyone else in your family (or any friends) are to be included on your policy, their details will also be taken into consideration. Who owns the car and who is the registered keeper – if you’re the registered keeper of the vehicle but not the owner (e.g. if you drive a company car or if you drive a car owned by your parents) you may find insurance more expensive. In fact, some insurance companies won’t insure drivers who are not both the registered keeper and the owner of the vehicle. Where the car will be parked overnight – the postcode where your care is kept will make a difference to the price. Rural or residential areas and areas with low crime statistics will be cheaper than city centre or urban areas, for example. The location of your parked car also makes a difference – is it parked overnight on the street, on a driveway or in a garage? How you use your car – the type of use can increase or decrease the risk of you needing to make a claim. Your premium will be cheaper if you use your car only for social or domestic purposes and/or for travelling to and from work, but more expensive if you also use it for business purposes. Security features on the car – the more features your car has to deter car thieves, the cheaper your premium will be. Alarms and engine immobilisers tend to be fitted as standard on most newer cars. Devices that you have fitted yourself are sometimes also considered viable. Alarms help to prevent the car from being broken into, whereas immobilisers help to prevent the engine from being started without the key, thereby reducing the risk of it being stolen. It’s also possible to have tracker devices fitted to help trace the car in the event that it is stolen. The level of cover you require – the minimum level of insurance cover that you can purchase is third party, which covers only the cost of repairing any other vehicle involved in your claim. You would have to pay for any damage to your own car yourself. It’s a budget option. Third party, fire and theft provides the same level of cover for damage repair in the event of an accident, but also includes cover for fire and theft of the vehicle. Comprehensive provides the highest level of cover, and will pay for accidental damage to your car and those of any third parties, as well as fire and theft. This article is copyright protected and is not for republishing |
