How to get the cheapest car insurance, without cracking rules

You’ll have most likely noticed that insuring your car has become very expensive.

That’s because car insurance premiums have never been so high in the UK.

The average annual comprehensive policy cost £462 in the last three months of 2016, up from the previous high of £443 in spring 2012.

Sally Francis, an insurance pro from moneysavingexpert.com, has these tips on cutting your costs.

Shop around

“Always go to comparison sites, and go to direct insurers that aren’t on those comparison sites as well,” she says.

Attempt a ‘black box’

Car insurance for 18 year old is usually more expensive, because insurance companies expect that young drivers will have accidents.

“If you’re a junior driver, you’re being tarred with [the same brush] as bad drivers; you’re put in that same pool,” Sally Francis explains.

To prove you’re not a bad driver, you can opt for what’s known as a black box policy.

The insurer installs a system – officially called telematics – in your car to monitor your driving.

These check your speed, acceleration, and braking, and whether you’re driving at higher risk times, like early in the morning.

Tweak your job title – but don’t lie

“Your job title can have a big influence on what you pay.

“Attempt and tweak it slightly. For example, if you’re a journalist, attempt putting ‘writer'” she says.

There are free online devices that let you compare insurance based on job titles.

Obviously, never lie – that’s illegal.

“You don’t want to tweak it to the point where you’re committing insurance fraud.”

Don’t pimp your rail

Modifying your car with things like LED lights and a thicker harass might improve its look and value, but it’s likely to increase your insurance costs.

“Don’t modify your car. Adding extra spoilers, things like that, will hike up the cost of your car insurance.

“So keep it ordinary, especially in the very first few years after passing your test.”

Add a 2nd driver

“Insurance is all about risk,” says Sally Francis.

“So if you’ve got that responsible 2nd driver on your policy, it lowers the risk and in turn could lower the premium.

“But make sure it’s somebody that would reasonably drive your car.

“So if you’re living at home with mum and dad, then attempt adding mum to the policy and see if that could cut costs.”

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