Many people
don't take a great deal of notice of their car insurance and, when the time
comes for their auto insurance to be renewed, they simply renew it with their
existing insurer. If you don't shop around for car insurance, then you will end
up paying more than you need to and, if you don't check the small print on your
policy, you might actually not be insured at all. So, if you don't give a
second thought to your motor vehicle insurance, check out these facts and tips
about car insurance that might surprise you.
1. Pay your
insurance premiums in one go
It may be
convenient to pay your car insurance in twelve monthly payments, but it will
nearly always be far more expensive than paying the whole amount up front. Most
insurers add an exorbitant price for spreading the payments. It could cost you
as much as 30% more.
2. Don't
overdo the excess
A lot of
people get caught out by agreeing to an insurance excess over and above what
they can really afford to pay. Yes, a high excess will reduce your car
insurance premiums, but don't forget that, if you have an accident, you are
going to have to find that cash for repairs.
3. Tell the
truth to your insurer
Be honest
about what you use your car for, where you park it, and who is going to drive
it. If you say that your car will be locked in a garage overnight, and it is
stolen from the street outside your home, you could be in for a nasty surprise
when you come to make a claim.
4. Check
how comprehensive your fully comprehensive cover really is
The word
'fully' in fully comprehensive can mean different things to different insurers,
especially if you opted for the cheapest policy that you could find. Typically,
the cheaper car insurance policies won't include a courtesy car, windscreen
cover, or legal cover, so it's worth checking your policy to see exactly what
you are getting for your money.
5. Don't make
a claim unless you really have to
If you have
a minor accident, it is very often cheaper to pay for the repairs yourself than
to claim it on your insurance. You should still tell the insurer about the
accident, because that is often a policy requirement, but claiming may well
result in an increase your premiums and excess.
6. Your
premiums can still rise, even if you have protected your no claims bonus
If you have
an accident, your premiums could still rise, even if you have protected your no
claims bonus. Your percentage bonus may well stay intact, but the underlying
cost of your insurance will rise and, therefore, you will pay more.
7. Always
take photographs if you have an accident
If you do
have an accident, however slight the damage may seem, always take photographs
of both your vehicle and the other persons. Unfortunately, there are a lot of
dishonest people who will exaggerate their claims to their insurance company
and lie about the circumstances of an accident. If you can, get the contact details
of any witnesses too.
8. Don't
just automatically renew, shop around first
Insurance
companies offer their best deals to new customers, so it is always worth
shopping around for your car insurance. You can get your insurance broker to do
for you, or check out a price comparison site, but always get several quotes
before you decide.
9. Always
notify your insurer of any changes in circumstances
Don't
forget to notify your insurer of any changes in circumstances, or you could
invalidate your insurance. That includes moving home, changing jobs, any
modifications you make to the vehicle and even if you have started driving your
car to work.
10. Don't
rely solely on comparison websites for the best deal
Don't
forget that not all the insurance companies allow their details to be published
on price comparison websites. To enable these companies to compete, they often
offer better deals than you will find on the comparison sites.
Could you
be driving your car uninsured? Check out ten things that could be invalidating
your insurance: Car insurance valid? or visit Artois52 Life for more great
tips, advice, and articles.
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Neil_Savin/2156456
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