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Posts Tagged ‘Car Crime’

5 Steps To Cheap Car Insurance Premiums

December 10th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Car insurance is compulsory, but it’s not necessary to pay more than you have to. A few simple steps combined with some time surfing for competitive car insurance rates really can save you serious money at renewal time.

Step 1 – Cut the Risk and Cut the Cost
The easiest way to cut your car insurance premiums is to cut the risk and accept a higher voluntary excess. An insurer’s standard excess may be ?100 but if you meet the first ?250 of any claim, you’ll see a reduction in your premium. This is because you’re taking on more of the risk so you get a discount. But it’s a gamble, be aware that you might have to meet the cost of a broken window after an attempted theft or a bill for repairing bodywork damage after a car park crunch.

Step 2 – Security Means Savings
Fitting security devices can also result in cheap car insurance premiums. All major insurers insist on Thatcham rated security equipment, usually a minimum of an alarm. If you live in a high-risk area for car crime, it makes sense to fit extra security. It saves you money when your insurance renewal is due and gives you extra peace of mind.

Step 3 – Annual Mileage, Less Means More in Your Pocket
If your annual mileage is, 5,000 miles or less, ask insurers if they offer discounts for agreed mileage restrictions.

Step 4 – Named Drivers Trick
Adding a named driver to your policy can increase or reduce your premiums depending upon the named drivers age, sex and driving record. Adding a young driver will increase your premiums, particularly with a limited or poor driving record. However, adding a driver over 30 years old with a long and clean driving record can cut premiums, particularly if the named driver is female!

Step 5 – Shop Around and Save Even More
The biggest car insurance savings come from shopping around. There can be massive differences between the lowest and highest car insurance quotes for exactly the same car and driver(s). Start off using good comparitive online quotation sites, take their best quotes and go direct to the cheapest car insurance company for more specific quotes.

So next time your renewal quote arrives, don’t just accept it and give your money away to the insurance company. Use the steps above and get the right cover at the right price.

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Secure Your Car For Lower Car Insurance Premiums

November 4th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

A question often asked is whether or not securing your car will help to reduce your UK car insurance premiums. Will this is certainly a factor you need to discuss with your car insurance company, you should note the following:

Steering Wheel Locks

While steering wheel locks may deter thieves from steeling your car, the fact is that most UK car insurance companies will not allow for the fact that you have one to affect the level of your car insurance premium. In short, if the thief is a professional, steering wheel locks are not much of a deterrent.

Immobiliser

If your car has an immobiliser system inserted ? such as the Thatcham Category 1 ? then you should be talking to your UK car insurance company about ways to reduce your car insurance premium. Indeed, as a security extra on the car in itself, your car having an immobiliser is likely to be the only factor your car insurance company will be willing to listen to when discussing ways to reduce your annual car insurance premium.

Garage

26 percent of all car theft in the UK last year took place right outside the front door of the car owner! So, if you have the ability to lock your car away at night in a garage, then mention this to your car insurance company as there is a very good chance that this will cause you to have a reduced car insurance premium! Remember, however, that if you arrange to have a car insurance discount based on the fact that you?ll be locking your car away all night, you?ll need to make sure that?s exactly what you do ? otherwise, if your car is stolen from in front of your house ? you may find that your car insurer will not pay out!

Location

64 percent of car crime in the UK last year took place in the neighbourhood of the car owner! In most cases, these were inner city areas. Where you live, and the crime rate in your area, will have a major influence on the car insurance premium you are quoted. So, if you are being quoted a very high UK car insurance premium, it might be time to consider moving!

And finally?

Obviously securing your car is more than just about reducing your car insurance premiums ? it is about making sure no one steals your personal belongings. To this end, keep in mind that 90%PRCTG% of car crime in the UK is opportunist car crime, so make sure you minimise the chance that your car will be stolen by keeping your car safe and secure at all times.

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