Lower Your Car insurance Premiums
Almost every piece of information that you give on your UK car insurance application form will be analysed in order to calculate your annual premiums. Usually it is a good sign if you are asked a lot of questions because it indicates that the policy you will be offered is more likely to be designed to suit your individual needs. If your policy is more indiscriminate then you could end up paying higher premiums than you really need to.
When applying for a UK car insurance quote it is important to give information that is as thorough and accurate as possible. If you knowingly withhold necessary details or provide erroneous information then you will not only be committing an offence under the Road Traffic Act but also nullifying your policy. If you have provided inaccurate information then your insurance company is under no obligation whatsoever to pay out for any claims you might make. This is no way to obtain cheaper car insurance premiums; the only person who can lose out here is you.
Just so you can have all the information that you need close by, we have composed a list of details that you might be required to supply.
- Your age, or date of birth
- Your address and full postcode
- Your occupation
- Your gender
- Your marital status
- The period for which you have been in possession of a full UK driving license
- The date on which you purchased the vehicle to be insured
- The age of the vehicle to be insured, or its date of manufacture
- The make and model of the vehicle to be insured
- The registration number of the vehicle to be insured
- The engine capacity of the vehicle to be insured
- The engine type of the vehicle to be insured
- Your typical annual mileage
- The number of years of claim free bonus that you have acquired
- Details of any named drivers that you wish to include on your policy
- Details of any safety or security features of the vehicle to be insured, including type and make
- Details of where the vehicle insured is to be parked at night
- The type of use for which the vehicle will need to be insured
- The start date on which you require the policy to begin
No claims bonus
The no claims bonus can seriously reduce your car insurance premiums, earning discounts of up to 60% with a long claim-free record. It is worth going to lengths to protect your no claims bonus. Some people do this by setting a higher voluntary level of excess, whilst others opt to pay their insurer an additional fee to protect their NCB. This type of scheme will usually allow the driver one to three claims before the no claims bonus is lost.
Over 50s
If you are over fifty years of age then it is likely that you can benefit from discounted car insurance. Most UK car insurance providers will reward older drivers with lower premiums as it is proven statistically that drivers over 50 are less likely to make a claim. Speak to your insurance company if you feel that you qualify for a discount on your premiums.
Parking
Where you park your car at night will also have a bearing on your car insurance premiums. Those who leave their vehicles securely tucked up in a garage when not in use can expect to pay lower car insurance premiums than somebody who leaves their car out on the street. If you keep your car in a drive then putting gates at the end of it could not only increase your vehicle's security; it could also save you valuable pounds on your insurance costs.
Profession
If you have a low-risk, sedentary job then you could be rewarded with discounted car insurance. If you think your profession carries minimal risks then ask your insure if you are eligible for a discount.
Safety and security features
The more safety and security features your car possesses, the lower your car insurance premiums are likely to be. Read more about safety and security features here.
Smoking
You might wonder why you might be asked on a car insurance application form about your smoking habits. Some UK car insurance companies are interested in this because they believe that smokers are more likely to be distracted whilst driving and therefore are more likely to have an accident. Non-smokers can sometimes obtain a discount because of this.
Vehicle type
UK residents with low profile, low maintenance vehicles will be in the best position to get the lowest car insurance premiums whilst owners of expensive, flashy motors could find themselves paying through the nose. High profile vehicles are not only often very powerful but are also more likely to be targeted by thieves or joy riders. This factor might be worth considering if you are thinking about buying a new vehicle.
Vehicle use
The way in which you use your vehicle will have serious repercussions on your UK car insurance premiums. Drivers who opt for Private Use, which includes social and domestic use, will be in the strongest position to get the cheapest car insurance premiums.