- Get a car with a small engine – for example a 1.1 litre rather than a 1.6 litre – which is in a low car insurance group.
- Although not always affordable newer cars with smaller engine have lower CO2 emissions which should mean you’ll also pay less in Road Tax.
- Avoid modifications (upgrades to styling, audio or performance) as although they may look good, for the younger driver in particular they may mean a big increase in the price of car insurance.
- Alloy wheels, body kits and performance upgrades make vehicles more attractive to car thieves. Modified cars also tend to be more expensive to fix than ordinary cars.
- Adding another driver with a clean licence and several years’ claim-free driving to your policy could reduce your premium or there may be no additional charge.
- Consider improving your vehicle’s security. Fit an alarm or immobiliser and – if you have alloy wheels – invest in locking wheel nuts. (Make sure you’ve declared those alloys if a modification).
- If you can, park your car in a safe spot overnight. Parking off the road can lower the chance of your car being vandalised or stolen.
- Increase your voluntary excess. Choosing a higher voluntary excess when you take out your policy will usually reduce the price of your insurance. Don’t choose an amount you can’t readily afford though.
- Be realistic with your mileage. There is no average or norm and it can pay to try to work out how many miles per day, per week and therefore per year you might do. There is no point paying a premium based on 12,000 miles per year if you’re only doing 6,000.
27Jul