How to get cheap car insurance UK

Despite car insurance premiums having risen in recent years for the average UK motorist, there are still many tried and true ways in which motorists can save on their car insurance premiums and avoid paying more than they need to. In this guide, we will keep to the basics and get right down to how you can start shaving off some of the cost of your car insurance – letting you walk away with a cheaper car insurance policy without extra hassle.

How to get cheaper car insurance

Getting cheaper car insurance doesn’t need to be difficult, in many cases it’s just a matter of knowing where to look. With these quick tips you can start your journey for the cheapest car insurance quotes off right and start saving on your premiums today…

1. Get what you think is your top quote
   You may already have a great valued quote for your car insurance with your current provider, but can you be sure it is the best? Many Brits simply allow their existing insurance policy to auto-renew. Whilst this isn’t a bad thing in itself since insurers can no longer offer new customers better deals than their existing customers, it still may be hampering your ability to find the cheapest quote. The best thing to do in your search for the cheapest car insurance is to search multiple providers and comparison sites to see which quote comes back as the cheapest option for the details you have entered. An insurer who is your cheapest option one year may no longer be your cheapest option the following year, that’s why it’s important to stay on top of prices and to get multiple quotes to compare. Important – don’t attempt to enter false information in an attempt to manipulate the pricing, this is fraud and will invalidate any claim made in future. It can also make securing future coverage more difficult. You should also consider what type of coverage you may need and not just focus solely on price. For example, considering telematics insurance can be a good way of getting your premiums down if you are a young driver with not much of a driving history for insurers to evaluate. Our data shows that 18 to 24-year-olds can save over 6% on their premiums with a telematics policy. Opting for a comprehensive policy can also save you money. Whilst this sounds strange given that comprehensive coverage offers you more protection than a third-party-only policy – risky drivers tend to opt for third-party insurance in the hope of saving money, this then drives up the average premium costs of third-party policies in turn often making comprehensive coverage cheaper.
   
   
   What our experts say
   
   “As counterintuitive as it seems, third-party car insurance is often a more expensive option for many drivers, and it also leaves people at risk of further financial damage, so we’d always recommend fully comprehensive, if possible, especially when it’s actually a cheaper policy for many drivers and the cost of parts and repairs are surging.” – Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk
   
   
2. Run your details through a comparison site
   Once you think you have a good quote, start comparing it against those on comparison sites. Comparison sites like Quotezone.co.uk can help you compare multiple UK-based insurance providers quickly. This gives you an even better idea of what insuring your car should realistically cost you and allows you to easily identify deals. Running a car insurance comparison has multiple benefits as it means you are not bound to one provider and can clearly compare their prices against competitors. Some insurers don’t give quotes on comparison sites which is why you should review quotes with these companies individually. Once you have secured these quotes, run the same details through a comparison site to be sure that these quotes are in fact your cheapest option. Remember – when it comes to how to get cheap car insurance, comparing multiple quotes is the easiest thing you can do.
3. You can try to haggle with your existing provider
   Whilst haggling is by no means a requirement for getting cheap car insurance, it certainly can help in some cases. Presenting your best quote to your current provider may tempt them to try and match or even beat it. Not all providers will be open to engaging in haggling however it can still be worth a try. Haggling works most effectively when you are near your policy renewal date and your current provider knows you will be considering their competitors.
4. Read the policy details
   Confirm the quoted amount is the same as what is listed with the provider and carefully check if there are any unnecessary extras on the policy which you may not benefit from. Some motorists may benefit greatly from having lost-key cover, windscreen cover or breakdown coverage whilst others may be perfectly happy to go without them. It all comes down to what extras you want to be covered against and whether you feel the extra cost is justified. Once you are happy with the policy and you are satisfied that you have run a thorough comparison of the quotes available to you, it is time to confirm your purchase. Most insurers will send you an email of your car insurance policy details however you can also request a hard copy to be mailed to you in most cases.

Extra things to consider when comparing quotes

Whilst getting the cheapest UK car insurance will be your main goal, it is also worth considering any perks and benefits on offer from providers and comparison sites. For example Quotezone rewards can offer you access to discounts and offers from over 1000 top UK retailers such as Argos, Tesco, M&S, Just Eat, Currys, B&Q, and many more. Some insurance providers will also allow for discounts on their policies if you insure multiple cars with them. These are just a few notable mentions, but It certainly pays to research the benefits and perks on offer alongside the cost of your premiums.

How to make car insurance cheaper

Now that we’ve discussed some of the ways to find your best-priced quote, it’s also time to consider how best to reduce your risk to the insurer for further savings. Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce the risk you pose to insurers and get offered even cheaper insurance premiums.

1. Pay your car insurance in one go – paying annually can reduce interest payments and so you will likely end up paying less in the long run over paying for your coverage on a monthly basis.
2. Securely park your car – parking your car on public roads at night can increase the risk of damage and theft. If you can securely park in a garage overnight, this could reduce your premiums.
3. Invest in security – fitting an immobiliser, industry-approved alarm and dashcam can all help reduce your risk to insurers. This will usually be reflected in a lower premium cost.
4. Consider pay-as-you-go insurance – If you are a low mileage driver, a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) insurance policy may be the best policy for you. These policies adjust your premiums to the number of miles you clock up in a given timeframe to give you greater flexibility around your premium costs.
5. Adding a named driver – If you are a young driver you can add a named driver with a clean driving history and full licence to your policy. Having an experienced driver on your policy can help reduce your premiums but be sure to give accurate details – failing to do so is called fronting and is classed as fraud.
6. Build up your no-claims discount – a no-claims discount (NCD) is a great way of saving on your premiums. In most instances it can so effective at reducing your premiums that it may even be worth repairing minor damages out of your own pocket as opposed to making a claim – you will still need to notify your insurer of any minor incidents however, even if you are paying out of your own pocket.
7. Considering your add-ons – as previously mentioned, you may not benefit from all add-ons on offer by a provider. However, if you do decide that you may benefit from additional coverage such as breakdown coverage, it may be cheaper to take out these as stand-alone policies rather than adding them onto your car insurance.
8. Take an advanced driving course – this will influence your premiums since you’ll be considered a more experienced driver after having taken this course. Speak to potential lenders over what courses they can recognise for reducing your premiums.
9. Consider getting Telematic or Blackbox insurance – these allow for lenders to better monitor your driving habits by installing a tracking device in the car. This means that In exchange for that driving data many policyholders are offered cheaper car insurance.
10. Avoid penalty points and claims – previous claims can dramatically drive up the cost of your future car insurance premiums. Whilst in some instances this can’t be helped, it is still something to consider. Having 3 penalty points can increase your car insurance premiums by 5%. In short – it pays to be a good driver.

Get cheaper car insurance quotes today

Still wondering how to get cheaper car insurance? Quotezone.co.uk can help you compare quotes from over 110 UK-based insurance companies, save up to £504 on your car insurance through Quotezone.co.uk with access to cashback and rewards. 97% of reviewers recommend us – start saving on your car insurance today. Quotezone.co.uk – the car insurance comparison experts.

For reviews of UK car insurance providers such as AXA, Directline, Flow Insurance you can refer to our providers page for further information.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.

Reference

*https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2023/11/increased-cost-of-materials-and-labour-continue-to-push-up-price-of-motor-insurance-in-the-last-quarter/