How to save money on car Êݸ±: Ten ºÇ¹â¤Î¡¤¤ò±Û¤¹ tips to ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë the cost in just a few minutes
- Many drivers stick with the same Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò, even with µÏ¿¡¤µÏ¿Åª¤Ê¡¿µÏ¿¤¹¤ë high ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs?
- Tips to ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë the cost of your car Êݸ±: from »Ø̾¤¹¤ëd drivers to Ķ²ás
Drivers are ¸ºß ¹¶·â¤¹¤ë¡¤¾×Æͤ¹¤ë by a wave of sharp car Êݸ± °ú¤¾å¤²¡Ê¤ë¡Ës at ºÆ³« time.
They could ÀøºßŪ¤Ë save hundreds of ³¤±¤¶¤Þ¤ËÌԷ⤹¤ës a year on car Êݸ± by switching provider, yet most stay on the same À¯ºö and »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â far more than they should.?
Car Êݸ± ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs rose 29 per cent in the year to November 2023, reaching a µÏ¿¡¤µÏ¿Åª¤Ê¡¿µÏ¿¤¹¤ë ÉáÄ̤Ρ¿Ê¿¶Ñ¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë high of ¡ò561.
Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs were ordered by ´Æ»ë¼Ô the ºâÀ¯¾å¤Î ¹Ô°Ù¡¿¹Ô¤¦ Åö¶É in 2022 to stop ramping up prices for loyal ¸ÜµÒs at ºÆ³«, but many drivers are still seeing ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs rise ÂçÉý¤Ë at ºÆ³« two years on.
Even if yours doesn't, your ¸½ºß¤Î Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò may not be the cheapest and best for you and it's still ²ÁÃ͡ʤ¬¤¢¤ë¡Ë checking prices.
Comparing car Êݸ± prices ·Ðͳ¤Ç comparison ¾ì½ê¡¿°ÌÃÖs is Ê¿°×¤Ê, and you can check the best prices across a ÊúÍʤ¹¤ë ÈÏ°Ï of Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs in ¤¤¤Ã¤½¤¦¾¯¤Ê¤¯ than five minutes. ¸ÜµÒs are also able to compare the ¼Á of the À¯ºös ¿½¤·¹þ¤à¡¿¿½¤·½Ðd, and see whether they Âåɽ¤¹¤ë a better ¼è°ú¡¤¶¨Äê than their ¸½ºß¤Î provider.
But switching isn't the only way to help ¸º¤º¤ë your car Êݸ± costs. Follow our ten steps below and see if you could lower your ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs ¤½¤Î¾å¤Î.?
±¿Å¾¼Ôs are encouraged to shop around for their car Êݸ± to see if they could save
1. Shop around for the best À¯ºö
This is the number one way to save on car Êݸ±. Drivers can make Ãù¶â of hundreds of ³¤±¤¶¤Þ¤ËÌԷ⤹¤ës if they shop around when ¿·¤¿¤Ë¤¹¤ëing their cover.
An online comparison service can do the hard work for you. Put in your ¾ÜºÙ¡Ê¤Ë½Ò¤Ù¤ë¡Ës and check the prices that come up. You can alter the Ķ²á that you are willing to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â and the mileage you will ±¿Æ°, and get new °úÍѤ¹¤ës.?
Getting a °úÍѤ¹¤ë is Ê¿°×¤Ê using price comparison websites.?
±¿Å¾¼Ôs are ´«¤á¤ëd to ³Î¼Â¤Ë¤¹¤ë they are comparing like-for-like. Some À¯ºös may seem cheaper on the surface, but on closer ºº»¡ they might not ¿½¤·¹þ¤à¡¿¿½¤·½Ð the same level of cover when you have to make a ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë.
It is also important to check the Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs that don't feature on comparison ¾ì½ê¡¿°ÌÃÖs, such as Direct Line.
If you've been happy with the cover your ¸ºß¤¹¤ëing provider has given until now, but are unhappy with their ºÆ³« °úÍѤ¹¤ë, let them know the best ¿½¤·¹þ¤à¡¿¿½¤·½Ð you have received from a ¶¥ÁèÁê¼ê Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò and ask them to at least match it.??
¸ÜµÒs should also be aware that Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs will try to ´Þ¤à ¹ÔÀ¯ ÎÁ¶âs for changes to a À¯ºö Ãæ±û¤Î-¾Î¤¹¤ë¡¤¸Æ¤Ö¡¿´ü´Ö¡¿ÍѸì. This ÎÁ¶â, usually between ¡ò25 and ¡ò50, will be Äɲ乤ëd if you change a ¾è¤êʪ or your home ±éÀâ¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë¡¿½»½ê.
However, you can ask for the ÎÁ¶â to be waived if it is a minor adaptation, such as changing from a Àµµ¬¤Î¡¿ÀµÁª¼ê number plate to a personalised ÅÐÏ¿ number.
2. Consider a telematics (¹õ¿Í¡¿¥Ü¥¤¥³¥Ã¥È box) À¯ºö
¹õ¿Í¡¿¥Ü¥¤¥³¥Ã¥È box À¯ºös are where the Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò Ǥ̿¤¹¤ë¡¿Æ³Æþ¤¹¤ës a system in your car to ´Æ»ë¤¹¤ë your ±¿Æ°ing. This is designed to reward those who ±¿Æ° carefully.
Many of these ÁõÃÖs are ÌÜŪ¡Ê¤È¤¹¤ë¡Ëd ¤Ë¸þ¤«¤Ã¤Æ younger ±¿Å¾¼Ôs, who can ·àŪ¤Ê ¸º¤º¤ë their high ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs by Ǥ̿¤¹¤ë¡¿Æ³Æþ¤¹¤ëing one and ¾ÚÌÀ¤¹¤ëing themselves a sensible driver.?
However, any ±¿Å¾¼Ô is able to get one. ¸ø¼°¤Ë called telematics, these ÁõÃÖs check your ®ÅÙ(¤ò¾å¤²¤ë¡Ë, how ÀѶËÀ you ²Ã®¤¹¤ë and ¥Ö¥ì¡¼¥, and how ¿µ½Å¤Ë you ±¿Æ°.?
They also µÏ¿¡¤µÏ¿Åª¤Ê¡¿µÏ¿¤¹¤ë whether you are on the road at 'dangerous' times, for example in the Áá´ü¤Ë hours of the morning.
They can ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs ÂçÉý¤Ë once you start ¾ÚÌÀ¤¹¤ëing you are a good driver. Some Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs even ¿½¤·¹þ¤à¡¿¿½¤·½Ð an upfront ³ä°ú if you take out a telematics À¯ºö.
3. Be careful of how many drivers are »Ø̾¤¹¤ëd
Another way to ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs is to ³Î¼Â¤Ë¤¹¤ë that only Àµµ¬¤Î¡¿ÀµÁª¼ê drivers are »Ø̾¤¹¤ëd on the À¯ºö.?
Äɲ乤ëing a young, inexperienced driver can be a ¸í¤Ã¤¿ economy, ÆÃ¤Ë if you have a large or higher-ÎÏ¡¿¶¯ÎϤˤ¹¤ëd ¾è¤êʪ.
The ¾ÞÍ¿¶â will be ±Æ¶Á¤¹¤ë¡¿´¶¾ðd by the youngest driver, and he or she may not have a no-¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö.?
Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs have also been ³ä¤ìÌÜing É餫¤¹¡¿·âÄƤ¹¤ë on Á°Àþing, where parents insure cars in their »Ø̾¤¹¤ë for children to ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë costs.?
Make sure if you are the policyholder on a car driven by your children that you are ¸½¼Â¤Ë its main driver - or that you Àë¸À¤¹¤ë ¤µ¤â¤Ê¤±¤ì¤Ð.?
You can always Äɲ乤ë someone for a few days when they really need to ±¿Æ° the car.
±¿Å¾¼Ôs should Èò¤±¤ë putting »þÀޤΠ»ÈÍѼÔs on their À¯ºö long-¾Î¤¹¤ë¡¤¸Æ¤Ö¡¿´ü´Ö¡¿ÍѸì, as it could be pricey
4. »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â Ëèǯ
When taking out a new À¯ºö, drivers will be given the ÁªÂò to either to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â for the whole year upfront or in ·îËè¤Î instalments.
Many Áª¤Ö for the ·îËè¤Î »Ùʧ¤¤¡Ê³Û¡Ës as it means not having to part with a large sum of money in one go ? but if you can afford to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â your ǯ°ì²ó¤Î ¾ÞÍ¿¶â upfront, you could save money.
This is because your Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò may ¹ðȯ¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë¡¤¹ðÁʡʤ¹¤ë¡Ë¡¿ÎÁ¶â you Íø±×¡¿¶½Ì£ on the ·îËè¤Î instalments. It is ²ÁÃ͡ʤ¬¤¢¤ë¡Ë asking them if there is a difference and if so, what it is.
5. Êݸ¤ë your no-¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö
A long no-¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö is the Áª¤Ó½Ð¤¹¡¿ÆÈ¿È best way of cutting car Êݸ± costs, so Êݸ¤ë it.?
Êݸ¤ëing your no-¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö means you can ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë on your car Êݸ± up to a ÌÀ¼¨¤¹¤ëd ¸Â³¦, or in ³Î¤«¤Ê circumstances, without ±Æ¶Á¤¹¤ë¡¿´¶¾ðing the ÆÃÊ̼êÅö.?
This may Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë the ¾ÞÍ¿¶â by a few ³¤±¤¶¤Þ¤ËÌԷ⤹¤ës, but this fades into insignificance against the ²ÄǽÀ¤Î¤¢¤ë loss of a 90 per cent ³ä°ú on a ¾ÞÍ¿¶â of several hundred ³¤±¤¶¤Þ¤ËÌԷ⤹¤ës.
However, the Á¯ÌÀÅÙ¡¿ÄêµÁ of a Êݸ¤ëd no-¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö can ÊѲ½¤µ¤»¤ë ¹ÈϰϤˤ錄¤Ã¤Æ between Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs.
Though »ö¸Îs ¸¶°ø¡Ê¤È¤Ê¤ë¡Ëd by another driver will ÉáÄÌ¤Ï have no ¾×·â on such a ÆÃÊ̼êÅö, those ¸¶°ø¡Ê¤È¤Ê¤ë¡Ëd by the insured driver could. The ½ÅÍ×¤Ê is to always check the À¯ºö carefully.
Fitting an ǧ²Ä¤¹¤ëd alarm, immobiliser or Àפò¤Ä¤±¤ëing ÁõÃÖ can attract a ³ä°ú of around 5%
6. Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë your voluntary Ķ²á?
Car Êݸ± Ķ²ás are made up of two parts, the voluntary Ķ²á and the compulsory Ķ²á.?
The voluntary Ķ²á is the ÎÌ a driver agrees to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶⠤˸þ¤«¤Ã¤Æ the cost of a ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë, and it can be changed when getting a °úÍѤ¹¤ë or buying a À¯ºö. When a driver Áý²Ã¤¹¤ës the voluntary Ķ²á it usually results in a lower ¾ÞÍ¿¶â.
°ìÊý¡¿¹ç´Ö, the compulsory Ķ²á is »Ï¤á¤ë¡¤·è¤á¤ë by the Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò and cannot be changed or ¸ò¾Ä¤¹¤ëd.?
When a driver gets an Êݸ± °úÍѤ¹¤ë, the Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò will look at the ¡Ê·Ù»¡¤Ê¤É¤Ø¤Î¡ËÌ©¹ð¡¤¹ðÁʡʾõ¡Ë ¶¡µë¤¹¤ëd and decide how much of a ´í¸± the driver is based on age, ±¿Æ°ing experience, type of car, any previous ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës and other factors.?
If the driver needs to ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë, the two Ķ²ás are Äɲ乤ëd together (known as the total Ķ²á) and the driver must »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â the total ÎÌ ¤Ë¸þ¤«¤Ã¤Æ the ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë.
When thinking about Ķ²ás on car Êݸ±, it's really important to make sure you can affor d to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â the total Ķ²á, should you need to ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë.?
When °úÍѤ¹¤ëing or buying a car Êݸ± À¯ºö, it may seem like a good idea to Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë the voluntary Ķ²á in return for lower ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs, but if you can't afford to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â the Ķ²á when you need to ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë you may find that you are unable to ´°Á´¤Ë¤¹¤ë the ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë as you don¡Çt have the ´ð¶âs to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â.
It's also ²ÁÃ͡ʤ¬¤¢¤ë¡Ë ÂѤ¨¤ëing in mind that the value of a ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë on an Êݸ± À¯ºö must ±Û¤¨¤ë the total Ķ²á, ¤µ¤â¤Ê¤±¤ì¤Ð the Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò will not »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â out.
A ºï¸º in ǯ¼¡¤Î mileage of 5,000 miles could save a typical driver about ¡ò50 a year
7. °ÂÁ´¤Ê¡¦Êݾڤ¹¤ë your car
Fitting an ǧ²Ä¤¹¤ëd alarm, immobiliser or Àפò¤Ä¤±¤ëing ÁõÃÖ can get drivers an Êݸ± ³ä°ú of around 5 per cent.?
Many newer cars will come with these as ´ð½à, so make sure you check if you have them and then Àë¸À¤¹¤ë them.
Even if you can¡Çt recoup the costs through your Êݸ±, a deterrent for thieves can save you hassle in the long run and the prospect of having to ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë for a ÀàÅ𠤽¤Î¾å¤Î É餫¤¹¡¿·âÄƤ¹¤ë the line.?
Look for Thatcham-ǧ²Ä¤¹¤ëd ÁõÃÖs ? this is an »º¶È ¡ÊȽÃǤΡ˴ð½à which is recognised by most Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs.??
8. Do ¤è¤ê¾®¿ô¤Î miles
A lower mileage can help keep Êݸ± costs É餫¤¹¡¿·âÄƤ¹¤ë. The ¤è¤ê¾®¿ô¤Î miles that you ±¿Æ°, the ¤¤¤Ã¤½¤¦¾¯¤Ê¤¯ time you are on the road and the ¤¤¤Ã¤½¤¦¾¯¤Ê¤¯ likely you are to have an »ö¸Î ? so Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs will often look favourably upon this lower ´í¸± and price your ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs lower.??
But you must be honest about your ǯ¼¡¤Î mileage as inaccuracy will jeopardise any ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë.
Check your use cover - if you don't use your car to ±¿Æ° to work or for ¾¦Çä¡¿»Å»ö,? both things that Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë your ¾ÞÍ¿¶â, you may be able to get a cheaper Ψ.??
It¡Çs also important that drivers ÃΤ餻¤ë their Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò if they think they are likely to go over the mileage they were °úÍѤ¹¤ëd for, even though this may result in an Éղà ¾ÞÍ¿¶â ¸ºß paid.?
Drivers could save money on their car Êݸ± by buying their À¯ºö 26 days before ºÆ³«
9. Could you change the model of your car?
If you decide to change your car, check with your Êݸ±²ñ¼Ò if the model will have a ½ÅÍ×¤Ê ±Æ¶Á on the ¾ÞÍ¿¶â.?
Choosing the ¸¢Íø model of the car is ÆÃ¤Ë important for young drivers, as they typically ľÌ̤¹¤ë the highest ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs and will not want to choose a car model that makes it even more expensive.?
Lots of factors can ±Æ¶Á¡ÊÎÏ¡Ë how much a car model costs to insure, ´Þ¤àing engine size, °ÂÁ´ features, and ½¤Íý costs. ÉáÄ̤Ï, the bigger engine your car has, the higher the Êݸ± ¾ÞÍ¿¶â.
Drivers should also Èò¤±¤ë buying a car with customised modifications such as spoilers or wheel ±ïs, as these can Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë Êݸ± ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs.?
The age of a car can change how much it will cost to insure, but it ºîÉÊ both ways.
Older cars are usually ²ÁÃ͡ʤ¬¤¢¤ë¡Ë ¤¤¤Ã¤½¤¦¾¯¤Ê¤¯, so they¡Çre cheaper to ¼è¤Ã¤ÆÂå¤ï¤ë, but they also have ¤è¤ê¾®¿ô¤Î modern safety features, which can also make them more of a ´í¸±.?
10. Ãߤ¨¤ë¡¿Å¹ your car °ÂÁ´¤Ë
If your garage is ½½Ê¬¤Ê of rubbish, ¡Êµ¿¤¤¤ò¡ËÀ²¤é¤¹ it out and use the space for your car. Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs like cars kept in garages ÌëÄ̤·, and this can ·àŪ¤Ê ºï¸º¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë your ¾ÞÍ¿¶â.
Aside from the Íø±× of not having to ¼Î¤Æ¤ë the ice off in winter, there is a higher ´í¸± of ÀàÅð by keeping the car on the road, so keeping it in the garage will be È¿±Ç¤¹¤ëd in your ¾ÞÍ¿¶â.
It's important to make sure you can afford to »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â the total Ķ²á, should you need to ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ë
Extra tricks?to save money on car Êݸ±
»Ø̾¤¹¤ëd drivers and friends and family: If you have °ÊÁ° been insured as an Éղà driver on another À¯ºö, see if you can °Üž a no ¡Ê¿ÍÌ¿¤Ê¤É¤ò¡ËÃ¥¤¦¡¤¼çÄ¥¤¹¤ës ÆÃÊ̼êÅö to your own Êݸ± ¥Ë¥å¡¼¥¹ÊóÆ».
Some Êݸ±²ñ¼Òs do this, ´Þ¤àing ³¤·³Âç¾. Try for a ³ä°ú by insuring two or mo re ¾è¤êʪs between friends or family members with the same ²ñ¼Ò¡¿·ø¤¤.?
Don¡Çt »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶â for cover you don¡Çt want: Some À¯ºös ´Þ¤à extra Íø±×s, such as a µ·Îé car, windscreen cover, ·èÎö¡¿¸Î¾ã cover and ¥â¡¼¥¿¡¼ ¹çˡŪ¤Ê Êݸî.
All of these could definitely come in handy, but they will almost certainly Áý²Ã¤¹¤ë your ¾ÞÍ¿¶â. If you¡Çre willing to ´í¸± it, taking these extras off your À¯ºö could save you money in the short-¾Î¤¹¤ë¡¤¸Æ¤Ö¡¿´ü´Ö¡¿ÍѸì.
¿¦¶È description: Think about how you ½Ò¤Ù¤ë your ¿¦¶È. Whilst you might think this doesn¡Çt »öÊÁ much, ³Î¤«¤Ê ¿¦¶Ès are considered higher-´í¸± than others by Êݸ± providers.
These tend to be ¿¦¶Ès that may Í׵᤹¤ë you to ±¿Æ° to more dangerous areas, or travel at higher-´í¸± times of day.
When to buy: GoCompare has looked at the best time to buy car Êݸ± and ÀßΩ¤¹¤ë their ¸ÜµÒs saved over 40 per cent on ÉáÄ̤Ρ¿Ê¿¶Ñ¡Ê¤¹¤ë¡Ë by buying their car Êݸ± 26 days before their ºÆ³« date, compared with those ¿·¤¿¤Ë¤¹¤ëing on the day.?
You can buy your car Êݸ± up to 29 days before the À¯ºö start date and 'lock in' the price you're °úÍѤ¹¤ëd on that day.?
The ¸¦µæ also ÀßΩ¤¹¤ë that the closer to ºÆ³« date you get, the more you could ·ë¶ÉºÇ¸å¤Ë¤Ï¡¼¤Ê¤ë »Ùʧ¤¦¡¿Ä¶âing for your ¾ÞÍ¿¶âs.?