Ten Top Car Insurance Tips from Quinn Insurance

LONDON, August 27, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- So you've passed your driving test, got yourself a set of wheels, and you're about to get out on the open road for the very first time. You might know how to parallel park and keep under the speed limit, but there are several other things to consider when owning and running a car. For instance, how can you get a good deal on your car insurance? Premiums are higher for new, young drivers; so how is it possible for you to keep costs down?

Don't worry, as Quinn Insurance has used their experience and expertise to create this guide comprising ten of their best tips for insuring your car:

1. Avoid high performance vehicles

We know that it is tempting to buy a car with a powerful engine or a luxury model with all the mod cons, but these types of car are nearly always much more expensive to insure. If you are a first-time driver getting new driver insurance, we would advise that you purchase a standard model car with a small engine size (about one litre capacity) with no modifications. With this in mind, you will probably looking at a 3 or 5 door hatchback.

2. Avoid high value vehicles

This ties in with our first tip, as the lower the value of your car, the lower your insurance premium will be. So therefore avoid flashy vehicles that carry a high price tag or are brand new. A decent second hand car with a good service history will help you keep your premiums down. Look out for adverts in your local paper or in magazines. There are plenty of them.

3. Take out basic cover

It is advised to take out Third Party Fire and Theft cover for best value cover. Third party cover on its own will only cover you against damage to other people's property and injuries you may cause them.

Third Party Fire and Theft will cover loss or damage of your vehicle caused by fire or theft. However, it will not cover you against damage committed by yourself to the vehicle. Fully comprehensive cover will cover you for all of this, but is often much more expensive.

4. Keep your mileage low

If you keep your annual mileage low, it means that you are not on the road that often, rendering you less of a risk. The insurance company may offer you cheaper prices. Simple!

5. Pay up front

If you pay your annual car insurance payment in full up front and not in instalments, you can save a fair amount that you would have paid in interest over the course of the year.

6. Add another driver

Another way of keeping prices down on your auto insurance is by adding another driver. Adding an older, experienced driver to your insurance can reduce your payments, so why not ask your parents if they would like to be included.

7. Keep your licence clean

Insurance companies do not like people who drive recklessly so drive safely and sensibly. Accumulating points on your licence and gaining driving convictions will without doubt push up your premiums. Therefore, keep to the driving speed limit and don't drink and drive, as these types of convictions will make finding insurance for a young driver practically impossible. If you can find someone to cover you, then you can bet that it will be very expensive indeed.

If you do keep out of trouble, then you will be rewarded. When you renew your insurance policy, you will be given a 'No Claims Bonus' discount off the price of your cover for the coming year.

8. Do not add modifications

Adding modifications to your car such as lowering the suspension or modifying the performance of the engine can increase your insurance premiums. So do avoid this if you can. However, not all modifications will increase prices and if you have to make a change to your car, contact your insurers to see if this will cost more.

9. Cut out the policy optional extras

You can also keep costs lower by not taking any extra features such as windscreen or legal cover. Those extras will add to your premiums, not by much, but you are probably looking to get the cheapest price you can.

10. Off-road parking

If you can park your car off the road in a driveway or garage, do so. Insurance companies always ask their applicants where the vehicle is parked and this will further help you keep your costs to a minimum.

A few other brief money-saving points that may be worth considering when insuring your car are:

- Taking the Pass Plus driving course.

- And finally, look for policies which have a courtesy car included for free as a policy benefit, rather than taking out a courtesy car option.

Please remember that driving without car insurance is illegal and in the case of an accident, you will be liable for the full cost of all damages, if it is your fault.

However, although the costs of being a first-time driver can be expensive, taking heed of these tips can help you reduce your insurance premiums and with a few years of trouble free motoring under your belt, you will see your insurance costing you less and less.

SOURCE Quinn Insurance