9 Ways to Legally Reduce Your Car Insurance

When it comes to the costs involved in running a car, sourcing an insurance quote can be one of the most daunting. A large number of factors go into generating an estimate, and for many of us, it feels like the price of insurance rises every year no matter how careful you are on the roads, or how long you've been driving.

There are, however, steps you can take to bring down the cost of your car insurance quotes. Here are nine of the easiest steps you can take toward smaller bills:

1. Add a more experienced driver to your policy

If you can add a driver with significantly more experience, but also no claims to their name, then the cost of your quote will be drastically reduced. Adding parents is a good place to start, as is adding your partner if they have held a clean license for longer than you have.

2. Resist the urge to modify your car

You might be tempted to try and improve an older car that was bought cheaply with body kits, or even just upgrade the in-car entertainment with a new stereo. Be warned though, as doing so can actually end up costing you a lot of money when it comes to insuring your vehicle. The standpoint of the insurers is that better electronics make the car more desirable to thieves while modding the bodywork, engine, or exhaust is more typical of younger drivers, who are statistically more likely to be involved in a crash.

3. Increase vehicle security and safety

The exception to the rule when it comes to modifying your car, adding technology that improves safety and/or security has been shown to knock a reasonable percentage off the cost of insurance. Installing a car alarm (if your vehicle didn't already have one) is a good start, but buying a dashcam is the best way to prove to insurance companies that you are serious about safety on the roads. Some insurers will take up to 10% off the cost of an estimate for anyone with a dashcam installed.

4. Try and drive fewer miles

The way the insurance companies see things, a greater number of miles covered means that you are more likely, mathematically speaking, to be involved in an accident. It's an argument based on probabilities that is difficult to argue with, even if you've never had so much as a bump in the past. Your best bet, if you want a smaller bill, is to try and decrease the number of miles you cover annually.

5. Pay annually

It might be easier to factor car insurance payments into a monthly budget, but paying annually will generally see you paying less. Why is this? Well, the one-off annual cost is the true cost of your premium, whereas paying monthly leaves you open to paying a small amount of interest over the duration of your cover.

6. Get a telematics box

A telematics box, or black box recorder, is another way to prove to insurance companies that you take road safety seriously, especially for younger drivers. The box will send your insurance company up-to-date information about how you drive, including distances, locations, durations and times, allowing them to create a more accurate picture of your risk of having an accident. Keep in mind though that some insurers will penalise you for driving at anti-social hours, such as the middle of the night, and that you will have to pay for a black box policy monthly.

7. Park on a private drive or in a garage

If you have access to a private driveway or garage on your property, then you should also try and park your car there. Leaving a car parked on the roadside puts it at greater risk of theft, especially at night, so having it tucked away in a more secure location will make the insurance companies more comfortable in giving you a lower quote.

8. Only buy the cover you need

When it comes time to click the 'buy' button, insurance companies will usually try and tempt you into buying a number of optional extras, such as roadside assistance and legal cover. Only add the options you need, along with the level of excess you need, and your quote will come in at a far more manageable amount.

9. Take an advanced driving course

Completing advanced driving courses, such as 'Pass Plus' is an excellent way to lower your insurance quote and become an even safer driver. By taking Pass Plus, you'll be more proficient at driving at night and on motorways, skills that all insurers see the value of. Let them know, and you'll see a reduction in your quote.

Following even just a few of these hints and tips will leave you with a far more wallet-friendly car insurance bill. If you do have an accident though, we recommend that you get in touch with Winns before anyone else.

Calling us before your insurer means that we can give you the best support available; arranging for medical care such as physiotherapy, and delivering a like-for-like hire car within hours, before getting down to the business of negotiating compensation for any injuries.

To find out more, get in touch with the Winns team today either on the phone or using LiveChat.

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