Ten tips to cut the cost of car insurance

Drivers are often encouraged to use a comparison website when buying car insurance - but there are also other ways of cutting the cost of premiums. Here are Money Central's top ten tips.

1. Make accurate calculations. Avoid guessing - time spent on accurately calculating your annual mileage could mean you save money in the long term.

2. Ditch the boys’ toys. This especially applies to young drivers, as the more modifications you have on your vehicle the higher your premium could be.

3. Alarm your vehicle. Having a Thatcham approved alarm installed by a professional could save you in the region of 10 per cent on your premium cost.

4. Clear the clutter. Clear out your garage and park your car in it or off the road. You could reduce your premium by roughly 5 per cent compared with parking it on the road.

5. Named drivers. Adding mum or dad to a younger driver’s insurance policy could lower the cost. Similarly male drivers could also benefit from adding their female partner as a named driver.

6. Increase your voluntary excess. Some insurers will allow additional discounts for a higher excess - but make sure you are able to make your excess payment if you need to make a claim.

7. Build up your no claims. This could save you up to 30 per cent, proving it literally pays to be a careful driver.

8. Consider your options. Do you really need comprehensive insurance? Third party, third party fire and theft and fully comprehensive cover are all priced differently. It could be worthwhile getting quotes for all three levels of cover and consider the option which best suits your needs, budget and value of the vehicle.

9. Get advanced. Enrolling on one of the DVLA’s advanced driver courses could give your driving confidence a boost and may lower the cost of your insurance.

10. Choose carefully. Before purchasing your next car, get insurance quotes on the ones which are best suited to keeping your premiums low. A good guide generally is the lower the engine capacity the cheaper the insurance.