Top car insurance tips

There are all sorts of things you can do to make sure that the car you want to insure doesn’t end up costing you the earth. This does require some forward thinking though:

• Get a smaller car - the less powerful the engine on your car, the lower your insurance premium will be
• Don’t buy an imported car - if your car is an import then insurers may raise your premium
• Don’t modify – often (but not always) modifications made to cars, such as supercharging the engine, will force your insurance premium up
• Keep it safe – the more secure your car is the lower your premium will be
• Value your car right – over/undervaluing your car can affect your premium

To learn more read our guide to the cheapest cars to insure

Again, these tips aren’t often quick fixes, but they’re worth paying attention to as they could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run.

• Be a careful driver – it may seem obvious but the less risks you take, and the fewer times you get a speeding ticket, then the lower your premium will be
• Take the Pass Plus test – for a new driver this is worth it in the long run. The Pass Plus course is proof of additional driving proficiency and can mean substantial discounts on your car insurance
• Be a woman – women are considered more careful drivers
• Or add a woman – if you’re a man, adding a female partner to your car insurance policy may reduce your premium
• Get your job right – if you have two jobs, make sure it’s the one you spend the most time at that’s the main one. Your occupation can greatly affect your premium

Remember that these are just our top five tips. To learn more read our guide to cheaper car insurance

Even the way you apply for a car insurance policy can make a difference to your premium.

• Be as accurate as possible about your annual mileage – if you just guess at your mileage and overestimate you’ll find yourself with a higher premium
• Have fewer named drivers – if you don’t add drivers to your policy then your premium will be lower
• Volunteer some excess – voluntary excess (usually £50-£500) will lead to a discount on your insurance premium as you are agreeing to pay a certain amount in the event you make a claim
• No claims bonus amount– get it right, and make sure you have proof of it.
• Be honest – this may not save you money but will stop you being blacklisted by car insurance companies in the future

Depending on the kind of policy you’re interested in, there are many ways to make it work to your advantage. For a more detailed look at these car insurance tips (and others) check out Understanding car insurance quotes