5 Things to consider when buying your car insurance
None of us like paying for car insurance but it’s just one of things that if you want to drive your car then you have to buy it. When the time comes for you to buy your car insurance you will often be faced with many difficult decisions, here are our top 5 things to consider when buying your car insurance.
Monthly or Yearly
Whenever you are faced with a renewal or even if you are buying your insurance for the first time you will be asked the question, do you want to pay monthly or yearly? Your decision here depends on your own circumstances, but I would advise that paying for your insurance on a yearly basis (if you have the cash to do so) offers more benefits than paying monthly. If you pay yearly rather than monthly then the payment will be cheaper for you, also if you pay yearly then you won’t have the burden of the amount leaving your account month in month out.
Do you want any extras?
You will always be offered extras when you decide to pay for your car insurance, whether it is legal or breakdown cover, to name just a few. Your decision here really depends on what you want from your policy, if you are wary of breaking down then breakdown cover may be for you. Before making any decisions regarding extras, you should check to see if you can get them cheaper elsewhere.
Is the cheapest option the best?
If you are using a price comparison site to find the cheapest option, click here, then the question is, is the cheapest option the best option? What you should do in this scenario is identify what the policy you are viewing actually offers. A number of reasons can impact how some policies appear cheaper, e.g. your years no claims bonus aren’t protected, or the voluntary excess is a lot higher than what it should be. You should look to identify why a policy seems to be cheaper than others.
Should you take a renewal or look for a new policy?
If you are happy with the level of service you’ve received from your insurer then a renewal can be the best option for you. When you receive a renewal notice it will be often be slightly cheaper than you last policy but you should still shop around to see if you can get your policy cheaper elsewhere. People often choose their renewal because it’s the easy option but shopping around can save you money.
How should you pay for your car insurance policy?
Of course the obvious option here is debit card, however many people don’t have the cash to pay for their insurance up front. This also links to whether you decide to pay monthly or yearly, if you pay monthly then paying by credit or debit card may suit you as the amount month by month may be manageable. However, if you want to pay for your car insurance up front yearly to save money, but you don’t have the cash available then there is another option, you could fund the purchase on a purchase credit card. Purchase credit cards often come with 12 months interest free on purchases which mean you have a full year to pay off your insurance at your leisure. As long as you pay the insurance off in full by the time your interest free offer ends then you will not incur any charges.
Avoid Winter Breakdowns
The cold and snowy conditions on December 2nd 2010 resulted in the AA breakdown recovery service responding to 1,150 call outs from motorist’s every single hour; with the freezing conditions taking their toll on vehicles.
This is not only an inconvenient, particularly for companies who rely on the vehicles to conduct their business operations; but also incredibly dangerous for car occupants who will be exposed to the elements and left vulnerable at the side of roads where accidents are common place as a result of the difficult conditions.
Make sure that you avoid breakdowns during the winter period this year by taking advantage of the following useful tips for motorists:
1. Cover yourself
It should go without saying, but it is vital to make sure that you are prepared for anything by arranging for a breakdown cover policy to cover either yourself or your vehicle.
Not only will this help ensure that you are back running more quickly and spend less time vulnerable at the side of the road, but it will also help you avoid the expense that comes with arranging for your vehicle to be towed to the nearest garage. It was recently reported that motorists who are without a basic breakdown cover policy in place will be forced to fork out at least £105 to have their vehicles towed off a motorway by local services.
It therefore makes it a no-brainer to purchase a breakdown cover package. You can get a basic policy for as little as £28.80 if you compare breakdown cover deals on a price comparison website such as MoneySupermarket.com.
MoneySupermarket.com’s Peter Harrison commented: “Being stranded at the side of the road in the dark can be a very distressing experience and having adequate breakdown cover can give you the peace of mind that help is only a phone call away”
2. Anti-freeze levels
Make sure that your vehicle is topped up with anti-freeze, which is the coloured liquid which circulates around your radiators. This is used to cool your car in the summer and also help avoid your engine freezing during the winter.
Make sure that the fluid levels are between the maximum and the minimum marks in the storage tank at all times. This is usually topped up during your annual servicing, so if the fluid level is dropping it could indicate a leak. If this is the case, consider taking your vehicle to your nearest garage as soon as possible.
3. Keep an eye on your oil
Your car will generally burn more oil in the winter months, particularly if it is an older vehicle. It is therefore recommended that you check your oil at least once a week by making sure that oil levels are between the maximum and the minimum levels indicated on your dipstick.
If you feel that more oil is required, simply top it up with the product which is recommended by the manufacturer in the vehicle handbook. Failure to keep your car with at least the minimum level of oil required could cause irreparable damage to your engine.
4. Battery charge
Cars failing to start in the mornings are the most common reason for breakdown call outs during the winter, as the cold conditions and increasing usage of on-board electrical systems such as lights and heaters take their toll on your batteries lifespan.
You could avoid breakdowns caused by batteries from occurring at all by arranging for your battery to be tested prior to the onset of the wintery conditions; something which will be done for free with many garages such as ATS.
5. Tyre quality
It’s a legal requirement to have a tyre tread depth of 1.6mm. However, in the winter the AA recommends a tread of at least 2mm and preferably 3mm so that your vehicle is capable of coping with the increased levels of snow and standing water which is common on the roads during this period.
It is also recommended that you check your tyre pressures each week during this period to make sure that you have the levels recommended by the car manufacturer. This information will be found either in your vehicle handbook or on a sticker which is placed on the inside of the door on the driver’s side. This will ensure that your vehicle remains as easy to drive as possible as conditions worsen and also help you uncover any developing punctures before they become a problem.
5 things to consider -car insurance
Avoid winter breakdowns
