The right car insurance at the right price

Feb 23 2010 By Mary Barabe

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There are few things in life more pleasant than driving on a quiet road in the summer. There’s a wonderful feeling of freedom and comfort as the views of mile after mile of green fields stretch before you. Unfortunately, the reality isn’t like that very often. Most of the time, motoring in the UK means traffic jams, rainy nights and impatient drivers.

It’s perhaps even more galling to think we pay a small fortune for the pleasure of it all. Vehicle duty is obviously a legal requirement, and it doesn’t come cheap. That little disc tucked into a sleeve on your windscreen can cost a substantial amount, especially if you choose to drive a car with a larger-than-average engine.

Smaller cars are cheaper to tax, but they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, of course. Maintenance expenses on cars, even new ones, can work out very dear, especially if you happen to own an older vehicle. Certain makes are likely to be at the higher end when it comes to labour prices.

It’s worth bearing in mind that for the average motorist, an outlay of over £600 is expected every year. It can be rather lucrative to own a repair garage, but not to be a customer in one.

The price of fuel is much-documented, and the source of some severe irritation for many drivers. A high proportion of the cost of a litre of fuel is due to tax, and that never seems to go down. Changing to a cheaper filling station can save pennies, but that’s about all.

Thankfully, however, finding cheaper car insurance is far simpler. It’s one of the most competitive markets in the UK, and one which has hundreds of companies all fighting for new custom. It’s perhaps the only aspect of motoring in which there are opportunities to find real savings. Now is the time to cash in, because there are some superb deals to be had.

There are so many variables which will decide the cost of cover and each of them will have a greater or lesser effect on the overall price being quoted. The history and driving record of the motorist, as well as the age and gender, make a big difference. Then there is information on the vehicle in question; the make and model, as well as engine size all have a bearing.

The expected mileage is also an important factor as well as any relevant security details. An immobiliser, alarm or tracker will reduce the overall cost, and if the car is kept off-road, or in a garage overnight, the policy holder can expect further reductions.

At one time, all these details would have had to be explained over the phone to several companies to obtain a quote. But now, they can all be entered just once onto the database of a comparison website, and within seconds a huge list of tempting offers will appear before your eyes.