Cheap Car Insurance
Tweaking your job description to save money
Quick example - changing title from Production Manager to Factory Worker actually saves you £13 but you must work in a factory on the floor if you are a production manager otherwise if you do make a claim and you lie about your job then you will get done for fraud so be very careful when altering your job description title.
Using the two top comparison sites, you’ll cover 69% of the full search…
One of the longest running sites, its big strength is its consistently wide range of coverage although it no longer includes the ability to compare quote features. It’s important to double check the voluntary excess too as the default is a high £500. - Try it: MoneySupermarket* - Using M'supermkt gives you 54%
GoCompare also has wide coverage, and the added feature of a nifty compare and customise system once you've got your quotes. The marketing follow up is not very clear though, so select the 'please click here' link on the final page if you don't want to be contacted. - Try it : GoCompare* - Using GoCompare gives you 53%
A slightly quicker search and a good number of quotes for modified cars makes this third choice. Although
you may get follow up phone calls and emails as there is no overall marketing opt out. - Try it: Confused*
Also good for modified cars and the inclusion of some insurers the others miss. There is a high £500 default voluntary excess to watch out for though, lower it on the quote screen if you want. - Try it: Comparethemarket*
If you still haven’t found a deal you’re happy with or want to push the envelope there are many more options to try.
A couple of insurer's, Direct Line* and Aviva*, refuse to be included by any comparison site and can be competitive so it's worth checking these separately.
Once you've found the cheapest
Double check the quotes
Click through to the insurance provider's own website to double check the quotes, as to speed up searches some comparison sites make a few assumptions (see what to check).
Examine the policy's coverage
Check whether it's suitable. So if you want "free car hire" if your car is being fixed, is it included? Plus while you’re there it's worth playing with the policy details to see if you can finesse the price down; look at the excess, and whether adding drivers cuts the cost (see hints and tips article).
This tool by Find* allows you to check the coverage of two different polices side by side.
Specialist cover inc. young driver, provisional & multi-car
If you’re looking for specific cover, the mass nature of comparison sites may not find the very best results. These additional notes should help you cut further chunks off.
Young, low use drivers or provisional licence holders
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Multi-car discounts
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Other tricks to cut the cost
If you aren't a young driver, but still want to look for an even better deal, try some of the following...
Guarantee to beat your renewal by 10%
- If the comparison services above haven’t found a policy cheaper than your existing quote, First Direct says it will beat new customer's renewal quote from their previous insurer by at least 10%, providing your annual premium is over £200 for comprehensive or £120 for non-comprehensive.
- Temporary Car Insurance
It's possible to get temporary insurance for 1 to 28 days, such as to to drive a friends car protecting their policy and no claims. Budget's Temporary Insurance, Insure Daily,TempCover.com* and RAC are amongst some of the available policies.
Step 1: Check cashback websites
Those new to cashback sites, should ensure they read the Top Cashback Sites guide for pros and cons before using them. Otherwise use the Cashback Sites Maximiser tool to find the highest payer for each insurer.
Step 2: Get £25 cashback via comparison sites
If cashback sites don't list your insurer then MoneyExpert* and Independent Compare both pay £25 cashback for polices purchased via their respective sites.
Step 3: Check special deals
If you can’t get cashback it’s worth noting a few companies have special deals not mentioned by comparison services. These currently include:
The AA: The AA* is offering a £15 discount to those buying its car insurance when they get a no obligation home insurance quote by phone. Get a car quote online first then call up 0800 197 7178 to buy the policy and you should get this discount, although we've been told it could be stopped at any time.
Aviva: Get 12 months for the price of 10 from Aviva* if you've four or more claim-free years.
Churchill: Churchill* is offering customers free level one Green Flag breakdown cover until 31 Oct 09.
Confused: There are two offers (one only can be given per policy) for buying via Confused, although you need to get a quote via its partner sites: 2000 Nectar points (worth £10); £20 Matalan voucher for Matalan reward card holders. The Matalan card is free but you need to buy the policy in one transactions, eg not save the quote to come back later.
Direct Line: Direct Line* has a '8 weeks free insurance' offer, equivalent to about 15% off.
Hastings Direct: Buy insurance directly from Hastings Direct* before 31 Oct 09 and you'll get a £30 fuel voucher. Alternatively call 0800 220 462 and quote code JUICE to get a £10 fuel voucher each month for 10 months.
RAC: The RAC is giving existing breakdown customers £30 cashback.
Tesco: Tesco* is paying new customers who buy its car insurance directly (either online or by phone on 0845 300 4400) and before 14 Oct 09, a £40 giftcard, which can be spent in Tesco stores, at Tesco Direct or at a Tesco petrol station.
Haggle
The car insurance market is very competitive and companies are desparate to retain business. Therefore once you've got your overall cheapest price get on the phone and try to haggle. There's often massive price flexibility, but be fully armed with the screenscraper's cheapest quotes and any available cashback first.
The first port of call should be your existing insurer, after all if it can beat or even match the best quote it saves the hassle of switching policy. If that doesn't work and you're still in the mood, take it to a broker. For more haggling hints and tips read the full Haggle On The High Street guide.
Ask A Question / Forum Discussion
All this info can be found on the awesome Money Saving Expert website run by the genius himself Mr.Martin Lewis - We Salute You!
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