Insurance tips for your car

There are all sorts of things you can do to make sure that the car you want to insure doesn’t end up costing you the earth. This does require some forward thinking though:

• Get a smaller car - the less powerful the engine on your car, the lower your insurance premium will be

• Don’t buy an imported car - if your car is an import then insurers may raise your premium

• Don’t modify - often (but not always) modifications made to cars, such as supercharging the engine, will force your insurance premium up

• Keep it safe - the more secure your car is the lower your premium will be

• Value your car right - over/undervaluing your car can affect your premium

Insurance tips for you

Again, these tips aren’t often quick fixes, but they’re worth paying attention to as they could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run.

• Be a careful driver - it may seem obvious but the less risks you take, and the fewer times you get a speeding ticket, then the lower your premium will be

• Take the Pass Plus test - for a new driver this is worth it in the long run. The Pass Plus course is proof of additional driving proficiency and can mean substantial discounts on your car insurance

• Be a woman - women are considered more careful drivers

• Or add a woman - if you’re a man, adding a female partner to your car insurance policy may reduce your premium

• Get your job right - if you have two jobs, make sure it’s the one you spend the most time at that’s the main one. Your occupation can greatly affect your premium

Tips when applying for a policy

Even the way you apply for a car insurance policy can make a difference to your premium.

• Be as accurate as possible about your annual mileage - if you just guess at your mileage and overestimate you’ll find yourself with a higher premium

• Have fewer named drivers - if you don’t add drivers to your policy then your premium will be lower

• Volunteer some excess - voluntary excess (usually £50-£500) will lead to a discount on your insurance premium as you are agreeing to pay a certain amount in the event you make a claim

• No claims bonus amount- get it right, and make sure you have proof of it.

• Be honest - this may not save you money but will stop you being blacklisted by car insurance companies in the future

Depending on the kind of policy you’re interested in, there are many ways to make it work to your advantage.

(Taken from : http://www.uswitch.com/)

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Driving has always been a hazardous activity, but never more so than today, with more congestion, road rage, mind-altering substances, and distractions than ever before. Add the hazards posed by winter weather and you have a potential recipe for disaster.

Snow, ice, freezing rain, and poor visibility present a whole new set of challenges, and require extra caution when driving. The following strategies will help keep you safe when the snow is blowing, the temperature is freezing, and you’re dreaming of being somewhere else:

Reduce speed. Your traction is reduced, so your speed should be, too. Don’t be pressured by cars behind you, and don’t worry about being somewhere late. Start your trips a little earlier to account for the extra time.

Increase your following distance. In normal conditions, you should maintain at least a 3-second following distance from the car in front of you. Add another second for each additional hazardous condition. For example, driving in snow would require a 4-second following distance. Driving in snow at night would require 5 seconds.

Brake much more carefully. Too much pressure on the brakes will send you skidding. With today’s anti-lock brakes, you don’t pump the brake pedal. Maintain constant pressure while braking and you will have better braking and steering control, even in slippery conditions.
Be wary of icy areas. Slow down and be alert when approaching areas where ice forms most readily-bridges, overpasses, shady spots and intersections. If the rumbling sound of your tires on the pavement suddenly ceases, get off the gas immediately-it may be black ice. Read the rest of this entry »