How to get the best deal for your Car insurance

Over the last few years, car insurance has risen steadily. If you follow these five rules of thumb, you will be able to make the most out of online comparison tools and contact with insurance brokers, check them out:

1. Lower your risk

The best insurance and the cheapest car insurance are usually not the best of matches, but there are a number of things you can do to lower your risk and be able to lower your car insurance costs.

Drive an average, popular model.

• Insurance companies prefer popular models, as they are usually cheaper to repair.
• Choosing a model from a lower insurance group will guarantee a lower insurance price.

Never lie about your mileage

• A lower mileage will get you a lower insurance cost. But a false one could invalidate your insurance entirely if discovered.

Make sure your car is safe

• Park in a garage, or at least driveway whenever possible.
• Get an approved alarm or immobiliser system, and Thatcham approved security devices.

Add a low-risk second driver

A second, low-risk driver will smooth out your risk. Adding younger drivers will have the risk go up significantly.

Be a safe driver

• Prove that you are a safe driver. Advanced driving course certificates are a big plus.
• Having pending or past insurance claims on your license will increase the cost.
• Consider including a driving assessment policy using telematic driving technology, proving that you are a good driver will lower your risk.

2. Lower the price

There's a few things you can do to lower the price further:

Pay for a yearly insurance plan

• Yearly insurance payments will result in a cheaper overall cost than monthly payments due to interest rates.

Don't pay for unnecessary services

• Don't pay for coverage already available to you via other insurance policies such as bank or home insurance plans.
• Your insurance broker may, and will try to sell add-on packages that you may be able to get as separate items elsewhere.

Buy breakdown cover separately

• If your insurance plan includes breakdown cover, consider checking the price and finding a cheaper or better cover as a separate item.

Keep your no-claims bonuses

• When changing insurers, make sure that you carry over your previously earned bonuses.
• Paying extra premium to keep your no-claims bonus is probably be worth it if you haven't claimed for 5+ or more.

3. Don't settle for your first find

• Look around and research as much as you can obtaining quotes. The more you look around, the higher the chances of getting a good price, this is specially true if you are part of a high-risk group such as the under 25 or over 70 year old brackets.
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• Use comparison sites and try a broker to find the lowest price that you can for the best value.

4. Check the policy thoroughly

• Make sure that you thoroughly read and check the key facts and policy wording documents. You must understand the cover you are getting is just right. Even if you are just renewing with the same insurer, check up on the terms to find possible updates.

5. Straight up, ask for a discount

• Ask your current insurer to beat your best quote from those you've discovered via research.

These 5 rules will help you get a cheaper, and hopefully a better tailored insurance coverage for you and your vehicle.