4 Top Tips For Getting A Great Auto Insurance Deal

Auto insurance advertisements are everywhere, from the pages of the daily newspaper, to television and radio commercials. They each promise low rates, quick claims handling and personalized attention. But, how do you know that you are really getting the best deal? What does a smart driver need to know in order to find the best car insurance for their needs?

1. Consider Your Coverage Needs

Before diving headfirst into the murky waters of the auto insurance companies, you need to have a basic idea of the coverage you are looking for. At the very least, you need to be aware of the minimum limits each state imposes for various coverage options. For instance, liability insurance, which covers damage when you are at fault, is mandatory in almost every state. PIP or MedPay, which pays a percentage of your medical expenses and lost wages, is another coverage option that is required by most states. Also, keep in mind that if you are leasing or financing your car, comprehensive and collision coverage are mandatory.

Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for any damages other than those sustained by hitting another car (ex. theft and fire). Collision coverage protects you against any damages done as a result of impact from another vehicle, a curb, a telephone pole or any other object. If your car is old and/or already paid for, you can save a substantial amount of money by electing not to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Just be sure to understand that if you are involved in an accident, these non-covered expenses will have to be paid for out of your own pocket.

2. Consider Your Driving Record

Do you have a history of fender-benders? If so, you may be better off getting more comprehensive coverage. Have you accumulated a heap of speeding tickets? Consider taking a defensive driving course. Remember that when you apply for car insurance, the company will contact the DMV for a copy of your driving record. Generally, car insurance companies look at the past 3-5 years of your driving history and base your premium on any previous accidents and infractions that occurred.

3. Start Shopping

After you have considered what kind of coverage you need and taken a look at your driving history, you can begin getting rate quotes. You can do this in person, on the phone or on the internet Be sure you are prepared with all the necessary paperwork. This includes your license, current insurance policy, your automobile’s VIN, and registration. The idea is to get as many quotes as possible, so you can compare the coverage and rates side-by-side. Many websites will offer you their rates along with the rates of their competitors, which can save you time. Be sure to keep a detailed list of each company and their coverage limits, deductibles and rates. Print out a copy of quotes you get online and ask for a faxed/emailed/mailed copy of quotes you are given over the phone or in person.

4. Making Your Decision

After you’ve done all the necessary research, it’s time to choose a company. While it may seem tempting, going with the cheapest is not automatically the best way to go. You should be certain the coverage you choose is adequate for your needs and the level of service is decent and reliable. When it comes down to it, getting the best deal in auto insurance has little to do with catchy jingles or funny commercials and everything to do with being a smart consumer. By taking a little time to do some research, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars a year and still maintain the level of coverage you need

Comparison Shop for the Best Supplementary Travel Insurance

Illness can strike and accidents can happen, even during a very short business trip or recreational getaway. While your health card entitles you to certain out-of-country emergency health care services, the coverage is limited.

It’s important therefore, to consider supplementary travel insurance. However, if you decide to buy supplementary travel insurance, make sure the policy meets your needs. To determine the coverage that suits you best, here’s a snapshot of the information to consider when comparison shopping:

• Policies can vary greatly from company to company and from year to year. Your health, age, the medication you take, the destination and the length of your trip, are all factors that affect the price and the type of costs it will cover. If you’re 70 years of age or older, for example, or have any high-risk health problems, you may have to find an insurance company willing to write a travel medical insurance policy tailored to your situation.
• Read each policy you are offered carefully. You’ll find that different insurance companies have different clauses for pre-existing conditions, medical exclusions, exemptions, and non-emergencies. Make sure you understand the terms and definitions of each one. Ask questions if you’re not sure exactly what a term means, how it applies to your medical history, or how it affects the coverage offered to you.
• Do not make a choice based solely on the policy price. A low-cost policy may be less of a bargain, for example, if it limits the coverage of a medical emergency to just $25,000.

And don’t forget:

• Take your travel medical policy with you when you travelling.
• Keep your insurance company’s phone number and your health card with you.

Insurance Products to Consider when Away from Home

It’s important for all the vacationers, business travelers, cottagers, and snowbirds, to consider the following insurance tips before travelling:

Travel Medical Insurance

Covers you for emergency hospital and medical expenses when out of the province. If an insurance company agrees to cover you for pre-existing conditions, you should get its agreement in writing.

Home Insurance

• Check your home insurance policy for the expiration date and for other "away" requirements. Many policies will cancel coverage if your property is left unoccupied or unattended for extended periods of time.
• Check coverage limits on valuables. Some policies contain limitations for loss or damage to these items if you are away for an extended period, or if you are taking the valuables with you.
• If you’re travelling in the winter, make sure you drain your home’s plumbing before you leave or arrange to have your home inspected on a daily basis by a competent individual to ensure that heat is maintained. Insurance companies won't cover damage that arises from the freezing of indoor plumbing.
• In the winter, arrange for someone to clear snow from your roof. Some home insurance policies do not cover roof collapse due to excess snow.

Automobile Insurance

• Check the effective dates of your driver's licence and validation sticker to make sure they don't expire while you're away.
• If you plan to rent an automobile, check with your insurance company, broker or agent to determine whether you'll need the supplementary insurance coverage offered by rental companies.
• If you plan to take your own automobile and will be out of the country for more than 30 days, be sure to advise your insurance company, broker or agent. Also make sure you have the proper coverage and meet driver’s licence requirements for the jurisdiction in which you'll be travelling.
• If you are leaving your vehicle at home and it won't be used by anyone, save money by suspending certain coverages from the policy, such as collision. Be sure to add the coverages back once you return.
  

You can save some money with these auto insurance tips

With gas prices fluctuating almost daily, it’s hard to budget how much it will cost you to fuel your vehicle. But there are tips you can follow to maintain or even lower your auto insurance premium. And any time you can save money today, it’s a plus for your family.

The following are examples of money-saving ideas:

• Maintain a good driving record. Companies charge safe drivers (those free of at-fault accidents or violations) lower premiums for automobile insurance.
• Shop around. Compare prices for identical coverages and coverage periods. If you don’t understand the language regarding the coverage, check out our auto insurance publication for definitions and examples.
• Consider raising your deductible on comprehensive and collision coverage. Review your current deductibles to see if you can absorb a larger portion of a loss in the event of an accident or damage-related event. If you have a financial lien on the vehicle, you should check with the lienholder before pursuing this.
• Consider the cost of insurance before buying a vehicle. With a movement toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, you would be wise to get a quote from your local agent before deciding which vehicle to buy. Some smaller vehicles might cost more to repair or offer occupants less protection from accidents, which could make their premiums higher than you might expect.
• Ask about discounts. Ask your agent or company if you are eligible for discounts such as having two or more cars on a policy; driver education course credit; mature or good driver credit; airbags, anti-lock theft or other safety-equipment features; or having other insurance policies with the same company.

Choosing Motor Insurance Types

If you drive your vehicle on the road, or leave it parked in the street, the law says that you must have motor insurance. It is a criminal offence not to insure your motor vehicle.

Before you buy motor insurance, decide who will be driving your car, and how much cover you would like. There are three main types of motor insurance:

Third party insurance
This is the minimum amount of insurance cover that you must have by law for your vehicle. Third party insurance only covers you for damage to someone else's vehicle or property, or injury to someone else in an accident which involves your car. This includes accidents caused by your passenger. If your vehicle is damaged in the accident you will have to pay for the repairs yourself.

Third party, fire and theft insurance
This includes third party cover and, additionally, damage to or loss of your car by fire or theft.

Comprehensive insurance
This includes third party, fire and theft insurance. In addition, it will also pay for repairs to your car. There is a range of extra cover that some policies provide, including:

• cover for your own death or injury, or that of your partner or other member of your family, up to a limited amount
• cover for your personal belongings if they are stolen from your vehicle or damaged
• cover for your medical and legal expenses
• hiring a replacement vehicle.

The cost of an insurance policy is called a 'premium'. Ask for quotes from several insurers to help you to get the best deal for your circumstances. You will need to compare:

• what each policy covers, and any exclusions (risks which are specifically excluded, for example, allowing drivers under 21 to drive your car)
• the amount of any excess. This is the first amount of any claim, for example the first £50, that you will have to pay yourself. Some policies allow you to pay a higher excess in return for a cheaper premium. Most young drivers (under 21 or 25 depending on the policy), and inexperienced drivers are expected to pay a compulsory excess which is higher than usual
• discounts offered, for example a 10% discount for older drivers
• the no claims bonus which increases for every year that no claims are made on your policy, up to a maximum amount. Most insurers will let you transfer the discount, if you want to change your insurer. You will also need to compare the amount by which your no claims bonus would be reduced if you made a claim
• any policy restrictions, for example, only named drivers are covered.

Things to Remember for Motor Insurance

• you must give your insurer or the person who sells you the insurance as much information as you can about yourself and your vehicle. You must, for example, tell your insurer or the person who sells you the insurance about any driving convictions, any medical condition which could affect your driving ability, or any motoring accidents, even if you have not claimed on your insurance as a result. The information you give will affect the level of your premium, and whether your insurer will pay out on any claim
• if you want to include anyone else on your insurance, you must give details about them to your insurer, or the person who sells you the insurance
• you must tell your insurer, in writing, about any change in your circumstances, for example a change of occupation. You should tell them as soon as the change occurs, and not wait until it's time to renew your policy
• if you take out an insurance policy in your name, you should be the person who drives the vehicle most. If you take out motor insurance in someone else's name because it's cheaper, and they are not the main driver, the insurer can refuse to pay out on a claim
• if the vehicle has been bought on credit, the finance company will usually insist that it is insured in the name of the person who has taken out the credit agreement.
• Motor insurance policies normally run for a year. Your insurer does not have to send you a notice reminding you to renew, but most insurers do send out reminders
• When you take out or renew motor insurance, you will get a cover note at first. This will be valid for 30 days or until you get a copy of the full insurance certificate. It is a criminal offence to drive without a cover note or full insurance certificate, so do not rely only on a telephone conversation where someone has told you that you are covered
• The police can ask you to show them your insurance certificate or cover note. If you can't produce the right document, they will give you seven days to do so at a police station of your choice. If you are stopped under the 'fixed penalty system', they can specify the station. If you can't produce a document within seven days, the police can seize your vehicle and sell it (although you can claim back the proceeds of the sale)
• You can cancel an insurance policy if you sell your vehicle, if it is stolen, or if it is written off. You should check your policy to see if you have a right to a refund of your premium.

Choosing Travel Insurance

There are a variety of types of travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment and loss or damage to baggage and personal effects. Millions of dollars are wasted each year by travelers who purchase unnecessary travel insurance or travel assistance policies. Although these products may be valuable to some travelers in limited circumstances, you should check the terms and exclusions of any travel insurance or travel assistance policies carefully before purchasing them.

Buy Only the Insurance You Need

Frequently, several types of insurance are ''bundled" together and sold as comprehensive travel insurance. If, after reviewing this chapter and comparison shopping among several travel insurance policies, you decide to buy some type of travel insurance coverage, make sure you purchase only what you need.

Existing Insurance Coverage

The first question to ask yourself when determining what type of travel insurance you need is: "What kind of coverage do I already have?" In particular, consider the following:

• Your homeowner's or renter's insurance policies may provide liability or baggage and personal property protection while you are traveling.
• Your health insurance policy probably provides at least some coverage while you are traveling, but you need to check the specific limitations and exclusions of your policy.
• Your life insurance policy may cover accidental death or injury.
• Your automobile insurance policy may cover you while you are using a rental car.
• Your credit card may offer some protection, including loss damage waiver when you rent a car, or coverage if you want to cancel or change a flight.

Primary Versus Excess Coverage

Many travel insurance policies provide what is known as "excess" or "secondary" coverage. This means that if any other coverage can be applied to the loss first (such as homeowner's insurance if your personal property is stolen), then the travel insurance will provide coverage only for amounts not paid by the primary insurance, such as deductibles. Some travel insurance policies offer primary coverage, which is most useful when your own coverage is insufficient or has a very high deductible. The premiums you pay for primary coverage are generally higher than for excess coverage.

Beware of the Exclusions

The biggest drawback of travel insurance is that most policies contain a number of exclusionsand travelers often don't learn about the exclusions until they try to use the coverage. Whenever you review a travel insurance policy, check the exclusions and definitions carefully to determine how much protection the policy really offers.

Be Aware of False Advertising Scams

An increasingly common scam involves the sale of “cheap” auto insurance to unsuspecting consumers, tricking them into coverage that’s invalid, or doesn’t exist. Here’s an example of a common scam scenario:

Crooks advertise the sale of cheap auto insurance in newspapers or flyers. The advertisements may even resemble those of a legitimate insurance company or individual licensed to sell auto insurance. Typically, these advertisements claim they can find you auto insurance coverage at rates lower than what you have been paying or quoted in the past. Some advertisements do not identify the name of the insurance company, insurance agent or broker. Where a name is provided, it is often being used fraudulently, or it is phoney. Con artists commonly advertise the sale of cheap auto insurance along with other businesses.

Here are a few easy ways to protect yourself:

• Be suspicious if you are asked to pay a referral fee. Licensed insurance agents and brokers do not charge you fees.
• Do not pay the insurance premium through a transfer or money wiring service. This is not a practice in the insurance industry.
• If an insurance agent or broker completes the insurance application form on your behalf, check it for accuracy. By signing the application, you are agreeing to the statements made to the insurance company.
• If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact the police.

My Auto Insurance Rates Keep Going Up. How Can I cut some of the cost?

Here are a few suggestions for ways to reduce your premiums:
• Shop around for insurance. Just because your current company once offered you the best deal doesn’t mean it’s still competitive.
• Increase your deductibles.
• Reduce your collision or comprehensive coverage on older cars.
• Find out what discounts are available from your company (or from a different company).Discounts are often given to people who:

• use public transit or carpool to work
• take a class in defensive driving (especially if you are older)
• own a car with safety features such as airbags or antilock brakes
• install antitheft devices
• are students with good academic records
• have no accidents or moving violations, or
• have multiple insurance policies with the same company—such as automobile and homeowner’s insurance.

• Find out which vehicles cost more to insure. If you’re looking to buy a new car, call your insurance agent and find out which cars are expensive to repair, targeted by thieves, or involved in a higher rate of accidents. These vehicles all have higher insurance rates.
• Consolidate your policies. Most of the time you will pay less if all owners or drivers who live in the same household are on one policy or at least are insured with the samecompany.

How Can Insurance Help Protect a Rental Property Business?

A well-designed insurance policy can protect rental property from losses caused by many perils, including fire, storms, burglary, and vandalism. (Earthquake and flood insurance are typically separate and, in some areas, coverage for mold claims may not even be available.) A comprehensive policy will also include liability insurance, covering injuries or losses suffered by
others as the result of defective conditions on the property.

Equally important, liability insurance covers the cost (including lawyer’s bills) of defending personal injury lawsuits. Here are some tips on choosing insurance:

• Purchase enough coverage to protect the value of the property and assets.
• Be sure the policy covers not only physical injury but also libel, slander, discrimination, unlawful and retaliatory eviction, and invasion of privacy suffered by tenants and guests.
• Carry liability insurance on all vehicles used for business purposes, including the manager’s car or truck.
• Make sure your policy is “occurrence based,” not “claims based.” Here’s the difference: a claims-based policy must be in effect on the date you make the claim—even if it was in place when the incident leading to the claim occurred. Under an occurrence-based arrangement, you can make the claim after the policy has ended, as long as the claim arose while the policy was in effect—which is obviously to your advantage.

When should I Start Looking for Homeowners Insurance?

A house may be the biggest investment you make in your life, so you’ll want to fully insure it against damage (by fire, wind, vandalism, earthquakes, floods, and mold, for example). A comprehensive homeowners’ insurance policy should cover the replacement value of your house and other structures, and partial replacement of valuable items of personal property like art and
computers.

But beware: So-called “replacement cost coverage” for your house pays you only a preset amount, so you’ll want to make sure that’s enough to cover your actual rebuilding costs. You’ll probably want some liability coverage as well, in case visitors to your property slip and fall or are otherwise injured.

Start shopping for homeowners’ insurance soon after your purchase agreement has been signed. Don’t make the mistake of putting this off until escrow is about to close—finding a good policy at a reasonable price is getting harder and harder, due to recent losses and clampdowns in the insurance industry.

The problem is particularly acute in states such as California and Texas, where expensive mold claims have pushed the industry into a state of panic. Homebuyers who have filed past claims for water damage (a precursor to mold) or who are buying a house with a history of mold problems may find themselves unable to get any insurance at all. Homebuyers with a history of making frequent claims on their insurance policies have similar problems. Some homebuyers now add a contingency to their purchase contract stating that the deal can be cancelled if they can’t find adequate insurance.

Shop carefully—and if you’re in a state with a troubled insurance industry, buy a policy with a
high deductible. This will lower your premium cost and prevent you from racking up a history
of claims that could endanger your ability to renew your policy or get future insurance.

Shopping for Car Insurance Estimate

Shopping around for a car insurance estimate is not something most people look forward to. It is one of the least exciting chores that is required in order to have a car on the road, but it is worth seeking out the most competitive car insurance estimate available. Although getting a car insurance estimate from a number of companies isn’t a desirable task; many people spend far more than they absolutely have to each year on their auto insurance because they simply haven’t taken the time to compare rates and policies with other auto insurance companies. It would be hard to find someone who would walk into an appliance store and decide to spend $200.00 more on a washer that offers the same exact quality and features as the one next to it that costs far less. It doesn’t make too much sense to do the same thing with car insurance.

Most of the time, a car insurance estimate will include collision, liability and comprehensive coverage on a vehicle. Most households have two or more vehicles and every car should be included when seeking out a car insurance estimate. There are a few things that can be done to make getting a car insurance estimate easier and more accurate especially when dealing with more than one car insurance company.

One of the best things to do before looking for a car insurance estimate is to see exactly what the state requirements are as far as what the necessary minimum coverage is in order to have adequate coverage. This is something that might be better to do without the assistance of an insurance agency if possible because their job is to sell insurance and they make more money with the more coverage they are able to sell.

In order to spend less time on the phone when looking for a car insurance estimate, it is a good idea to have a number of items handy including a driver’s license, vehicle identification numbers, make, model and year of each car and even the name and contact information for the company that is financing all vehicles if applicable. There are also a number of factors that can be taken into consideration when seeking a car insurance estimate that may mean additional savings per year. Features on each auto including airbags, auto alarms, anti-lock brakes and other things may mean discounts on auto insurance. Some insurance companies will even offer discounts for having more than one policy with their company as well as insuring multiple cars through with their coverage. Additional discounts may be found through other things like accident-free driving record, defensive driving course incentives and other discounts.

Other circumstances may cost a driver more with certain companies when looking for a car insurance estimate. Men under the age of 25, single drivers, younger drivers under the age of 21, the number of miles driven per day and even the kind of car that is driven can cost a person more money on car insurance when shopping around. The best part about this is that not one car insurance will probably charge the same amount of money for the same coverage so shopping around will prove that there are better choices available.

Get Auto Insurance Rate Quotes

Auto Insurance rates will vary depending on the insurance agency, your driving record, and the type of insurance you are looking to purchase. I you are looking for affordable car insurance or truck insurance then read on.

There are ways to reduce your premiums without giving up coverage. One of the easiest things to do is get auto insurance rate quotes online. This will allow you to comparative shop stress free.

Raising your deductibles is the easiest way to reduce your rates. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium will be. The deductible is the portion you will have to pay in the event of accident, before your insurance coverage steps in. It’s important not to carry a deductible that’s more than what you are able to pay. Your insurance company will not honor its portion of the claim until you’ve paid your deductible. However, the higher your deductible the lower your premium cost will be, so you need to find a

Always remember to ask your insurance broker for any available discounts. Quite often we forget to ask and they don’t seem to volunteer the information. A clean record on the current policy for a certain period of time, having your homeowner's coverage with the same insurer, taking a defensive driving course, having an accident free driving record, and having an approved anti-theft device will reduce your auto insurance rates.

The type of car you drive can also reduce your rates. Stay away from cars that have a high class rating. Rates vary among the different makes and models of vehicles. The different rates are based on the risk of accident, cost to repair, higher theft rates for a particular model and replacement costs such as with a new vehicle. So be sure your vehicle isn’t going to be in a category that increases your rates too much.

A safe driving record consisting of no accidents and no traffic violations will get you the most substantial discount. Most insurance companies are very good at recognizing good driving habits. These are the drivers they want to insure because their risk is much lower.

If the car is old and not very valuable, comprehensive insurance is probably not worth buying as it can quickly add up to more than you’d ever receive in the event of an accident. You can save up to 20% by eliminating collision insurance. You may want to opt not to carry collision insurance as well which can save you and additional 20%.

Check around to make sure you are getting the best auto rates you can. Online auto insurance shopping has taken the guess work out of buying insurance and you can very quickly see if you are being hosed. So if your insurance is coming due now is the time to start shopping!.

Tips for Saving Money on Car Insurance

Car insurance is required by all licensed drivers but many of them don’t know how to find the best rates available. Being complacent and purchasing car insurance without carefully investigating your options or maintaining the same car insurance for the remainder of your life could mean that you are paying too much for your car insurance. Comparison shopping, ensuring that you are receiving all the discounts you qualify for and maintaining a clean driving record are just a few of the money saving tips that can save you a fortune on car insurance.

Comparison shopping for car insurance, even after you are already insured, cannot be underestimated. It is critical that you investigate all of your options before choosing an insurance provider to ensure that you are getting the best possible rate on your car insurance. There are so many factors considered in car insurance policies such as where you live, your driving record, your age and the type of car you drive just to name a few. With all of these factors to consider, it is very possible that you will find that there is a car insurance provider who will offer you a considerably lower rate than other providers.

Even after you have secured insurance for your car, it is wise to periodically check the rates that other providers will offer you. Car insurance as well as your circumstances are perpetually changing and you may find that the provider who is willing to offer you the best car insurance rate varies periodically. Many car insurance providers offer a host of discounts to their clients who qualify for these discounts. These discounts can relate to your driving record, safety features of your car, your age or other factors.

These discounts can result in a tremendous cost savings on your car insurance policy but while many insurance providers offer these discounts, they don’t always advertise them. This means that you may have to do research to determine what type of discounts you may qualify to receive. Carefully, review your car insurance policy to determine which discounts you are already receiving and then contact your car insurance provider to inquire about other discounts that may be available. For example if your driving record is devoid of accidents or tickets, you may qualify for a good driver discount.

Also, if your car has certain safety features such as daytime running lights, you may also qualify for car insurance discounts. Your age can also qualify you for certain car insurance discounts. Some insurance providers also offer discounts to those who insure their house with the same company as they insure their car. Taking advantage of this type of discount can save you money on both your car and home insurance. Being aware of the discounts that are available and ensuring that you are receiving these discounts, can save you a great deal of money on your car insurance.

Finally, maintaining a clean driving record is very important to receiving the best available car insurance rate. While it is true that each car insurance provider is unique in the factors that contribute to lower rates, the one factor that is consistent among all providers of car insurance is that a clean driving record is critical to your rate. Although accidents are sometimes unavoidable, it is imperative that you adhere to all traffic regulations and that you drive safely at all times. This will reduce the number of traffic violations that you incur as well as the number of accidents that you cause. Following these tips will help you to maintain a clean driving record that will keep the cost of your car insurance low.

Many drivers lament paying their monthly car insurance bill because they feel as though the insurance isn’t necessary. Although car insurance is a financial burden that seems superfluous, it does pay off if you are ever in a serious car accident that has significant financial ramifications. For this reason, you should never consider allowing your car insurance to lapse and it is recommended that you search diligently to find the best available rate on your car insurance.

How Can You Lower Your Car Insurance Premiums?

Many factors influence the premium for your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote - some of which will affect your premium and some will not. Below we discuss the key variables that are within the policyholder's control.

Consolidating policies

By insuring a number of vehicles with the same insurer, or by trying to take out home and life insurance through your car insurer, you may be able to secure a ‘bulk buy’ discount.

Location

A big influence on the cost of your car insurance is where you live. The chance of your car being broken into or stolen is a key concern for the insurer. More urban areas traditionally facing greater risk of theft and therefore tend to be more expensive than countryside locations.

Excess

By agreeing to pay a greater excess on each claim you can reduce your car insurance premiums. This is because you are reducing the liability of the insurer and therefore in return they are able to offer you a lower premium.

Your Vehicle

The cheaper and slower your vehicle the lower your premiums are likely to be. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle make sure you fully consider the cost of insurance – you may be able to buy the car but can you afford to run it?

Mileage

You can control your insurance premiums by restricting your annual mileage. However, be aware that if you exceed the restricted number of miles you'll then become uninsured!

Parking

Where you park your vehicle overnight is also very important to the insurers. If it is kept in a locked garage, you should be offered a lower premium than if you leave it unattended in the street.

Security

Security devices that prevent or hinder theft may also reduce your premium. Common examples include alarms and immobilisers, however, be aware that as we improve the quality of our security devices the thieves just become better at bypassing them.

No Claims Discount

Save up your no claims discount by avoiding making small claims upon your policy. After a set number of years, 4 or 5 typically, you'll often be offered the option to pay an additional small premium to protect your no claims bonus. This can prove very helpful if you subsequently end up having an accident.

Advanced driving skills

By taking an advanced driving course you may also be able to reduce your premiums. The Institute for Advanced Motorists and the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents each offer membership which provides you with discounts for both the cost of driving courses and your car insurance premiums. Two key variables NOT within the policyholder's control.

Your Sex.

Women are statistically less likely to have an accident and, if they do, it's less likely to be serious. Because of these statistics women benefit from lower premiums. It is also worth noting that if you represent one half of a couple you should consider having the female as the primary driver with the male as the second driver.

Your Age

The older you are, the less likely you are to make a claim. As a result insurance companies charge lower premiums for more mature drivers.

One final piece of advice.

A large percentage of car insurance is now sold on the Internet. That's because it's convenient and cheap. Many insurers now give a further 10%-15% discount if you buy online.