Car insurance can be an expensive part of owning and running a vehicle; in fact, it’s potentially one of the most costly parts (along with other expenses, such as paying for your MOT and the like). Still, knowing what you’re being charged for can help.
You can easily determine the insurance group for a vehicle for free by carrying out a car check. This process will provide you with insights into the insurance cost and how they compare to those of other vehicles.
Why Has My Insurance Gone Up?
There are countless different reasons that your insurance premiums might have gone up, and these often include the following points:
- Mileage: Unfortunately, your insurance company may increase the premium on your vehicle if your miles travelled go up. Indeed, the longer you spend on the road, the higher the chance of an accident occurring; as such, someone who drives two miles a day will be much less risky than someone who drives twenty.
- Location: If your location changes, or if accidents become more common or likely in your area, there is a good chance that your insurance premiums will increase in line with this.
- Policy changes: If your policy has expanded, you may notice that your insurance plan also goes up. This should account for the additional costs involved with the new package and its features.
- You’ve made a claim: Where possible, try to avoid claiming on your insurance for minor expenses. Indeed, if you don’t usually claim on your insurance but are later forced to make a claim, you’ll lose any no-claim discounts that might be applied to your account.
The points outlined above are just a handful of the factors that may play a role in your final insurance price. Always keep this in mind to help inform your decision.
Three Simple Tips to Help Keep Your Car Insurance Cost Down
At this point, we’ve outlined why your car insurance might have gone up. However, there are also steps you can take to make the cost more affordable, and the following three steps might help.
Don’t Be Afraid to Shop Around
One of the most important things to keep in mind is to shop around. Indeed, loyalty often doesn’t pay, and staying with the same provider can leave you struggling to
Install a Black Box
A black box might not be popular, but it’s one of the best ways to reduce your car insurance cost. Just make sure you’re driving carefully once the black box is installed so that you don’t get penalised.
Consider Changing Your Car
Another step you may want to think about is to change your car. Indeed, different cars have very different prices and insurance rates. As such, if you think you’re paying too much, don’t be afraid to change the vehicle to another model. Remember: the higher the car’s value, the greater your insurance will be.
If you do consider buying a new car, though, and you buy second-hand, make sure you run a car history check before agreeing to the purchase to ensure that the car is genuine.
Final Thoughts
Let’s face it – car insurance is expensive. Hopefully, this will help you better understand and manage your car insurance accordingly. Before committing to an insurance company, it’s always advisable to shop around and thoroughly check your options. Additionally, make sure to review the policy details, to ensure you get the most suitable insurance for your car needs.
