When it comes to buying car insurance it can be a very daunting task. For those buying car insurance for the first time this is especially so, any type of insurance can be confusing to the majority of people and car insurance is no exception. Not only are the policies hard to understand but there are many different components to them and for the majority of time these arent always clearly explained. For example one of the types of insurance is called fully comp; the very title of this is confusing because not everything is included in this type of cover.
When buying car insurance for the first time it is essential that you shop around for the best deal and cheapest premiums, car insurance premiums are always cheaper when bought online because the overheads are cut down, along with the staff needed to run them.
Of course when it comes to buying your car insurance you will first have to decide on the type of insurance that will be more suitable for your needs, the three main types of car insurance are fully comp, third party, fire and theft and third party only.
Third party fire and theft will cover you if you should be in an accident and this causes damage to the other partys car, it will also cover your car in the event that it is stolen or should be damaged in a fire.
Fully comprehensive is misleading but while it doesnt cover everything, it does include all that the third party cover does, along with accidental damage to your car and will also cover any belongings, personal accident cover and medical cover.
Third party only as the name suggests will only cover claims made by others against you, for example any damage that is made to their property or injury to themselves.
Of course these arent the only types of insurance you can take to cover you and your car and those buying car insurance for the first time have to take this into account. What you also have to take into account however, is that if you choose to add extra cover then this will of course boost up your premium.
Ways that you can cut down when it comes to saving on your car insurance include making sure that you have a clean driving record. This is essential and can save you a huge amount of money; you should also make sure you have equipped your car with the latest security features such as window etchings, alarms and steering locks.
Tags: Accidental Damage, Arent, Belongings, Buying Car Insurance, Car Buying, Car Insurance Premiums, Daunting Task, Different Components, Fire And Theft, Insurance, Overheads, Party Fire, People, Personal Accident, Third Party, Types Of InsuranceRelated posts
Car insurance is one of the most expensive costs involved in driving a car, and it’s not something you can avoid – a minimum level of insurance is required by law. That doesn’t mean you have to blindly pay whatever your insurer quotes though, as there are several simple things you can do to reduce the cost of your premiums.
1) Shop around and buy online: Figures show that many people simply renew their current policies without shopping around. The internet makes it easy to compare prices from different insurers, so why not take advantage of this? Plus, you’ll usually get a discount of 10% or more just for buying your policy online.
2) Policy type: do you really need a comprehensive policy with all the extras? Going for a third party fire & theft policy can reduce your premiums hugely, and is definitely worth considering if your car isn’t an expensive model.
3) No claims discounts: Nearly all policies feature a discount that increases for every year you don’t make a claim. The higher the discount available, the more you could save. Also look at insurers offering a ‘no claims bonus for life’ feature, where your current discount level can be fixed forever, even if you have to make a claim somewhere down the line.
4) Excess: The excess on a policy is the amount of a claim you have to pay before the insurer pays the rest. Choosing to have a higher than standard excess level will usually mean lower premiums.
5) Security: Fitting your vehicle with an alarm, immobiliser, or other security devices can lead to premium reductions. Parking you car off-road, for example on a driveway or in a garage, will also mean a cheaper policy.
6) Pay annually: Many insurers charge you interest for the privilege of paying in monthly installments. Pay annually if you can afford it to avoid this, or look for one of the companies who don’t charge extra for monthly payment.
7) Mileage: The more mileage you run up every year, the more your insurance will cost. Even if you can’t reduce your mileage, make sure you’re not overestimating how much you actually do drive, and give your insurer an accurate figure.
Drivers: The more drivers you have on your policy, the more it will cost. Reduce the number of people insured to drive your car to the minimum possible, and try to get the policy in the name of a driver with the lowest risk profile. For example, if a car is driven by both a man and a woman, insuring it in the woman’s name will often result in a cheaper quote.