5 Tips For Getting The Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes Possible

At the ripe old age of 33 I finally got around to learning how to drive and buying a car. But as a budget-conscious individual I was shocked at (a) how expensive insuring your first car can really be and (b) how easy it is to significantly reduce your insurance costs and find the cheapest car insurance quotes around if you know what you’re doing.

So if your car insurance quotes are making you wince – especially as a new driver – then the results of research has the potential to save you a surprising amount of money each year without compromising on your cover or “massaging the truth” about your circumstances.

Secrets To Getting The Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes Possible

Engine Size

Not surprisingly the engine size of your car can have a sizeable impact on getting the cheapest car insurance quotes possible. And we’re not just talking about a difference in price between a 1 liter engine and a 4 liter engine. No, the differences can even exist between a 1 liter and a 1.1 liter.

So if you’re budget-savvy, when it comes to buying your first (or next) car, try looking at models with a small engine size.

Sure, you’re not going to have the same power or top speed as a more “throaty” engine but the difference can knock hundreds off your car insurance quote so it’s a compromise worth considering.

Named Drivers

Just because you’re buying yourself a car doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be the only one driving it. You may be surprised to discover that adding an extra, more experienced, driver to your policy can actually reduce your overall cost of insurance cover and be one of the biggest secrets when looking for the cheapest car insurance quotes available.

So if you have a spouse, parent or friend who has been driving for some years, ask for their permission to add them as a named driver to your policy and see just how much it shaves off your annual costs.

No Claims Discount

For obvious reasons insurance providers prefer “low risk” drivers who have few accidents and seldom make a claim; after all if you don’t claim on your insurance it’s basically free money for them.

That much is obvious; the longer it is since you made a claim the cheaper your car insurance quotes will likely be be. But there’s also a sting in the tail here – if you cancel your insurance policy for whatever reason, your no-claims discount may only stand for a specified period of time.

A friend of mine had been driving a company car for the last few years before the policies at his employer changed, forcing him to buy a car for private use. Sadly, as it had been five years since he last held car insurance in his own name, he was unable to access any no claims discount; a situation which meant that none of the cheapest car insurance quotes were available to him, costing him hundreds over the next few years.

In other words don’t just try to get those no-claims discounts but also protect them for all they’re worth. Shop around and if you have any kind of no claims period see what kind of discount you can get on your next policy.

Pass Plus

In the UK at least, there is an advanced motoring course known as a “Pass Plus” which aims to improve your skills is what are typically problem areas for new drivers. Situations include town driving, motorways and driving at night.

Additional training helps to make you a safer driver – and therefore offers discounts from many insurance firms helping you obtain the cheapest car insurance quotes possible.

Be aware that you can only take a Pass Plus within 12 months of actually passing your test, but as the course takes minimal time it’s well worth considering to help you save money on your car insurance.

Institute Of Advanced Motoring

The UK-based Institute of Advanced Motoring (IMA) runs recognized courses in advanced driving skills. Many car insurance companies will offer you further discounts on your insurance cover if you possess such a certificate. So consider furthering your skills and benefiting from reduced insurance costs for ever more.

Other useful resources: 4 Effective Tips for Saving on Car Insurance

How do you save money on car insurance? Please leave your tips in the comments section below…