THE LAW
You cannot drive your car in the UK unless it is insured:
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance
My guideline on buying a reliable car in the UK: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/my-guideline-on-buying-reliable-car-in.html
You cannot drive your car in the UK unless it is insured:
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance
BEFORE BUYING A CAR
Hence before you buy a car, you need to ensure it is insured.
Some dealerships provide complimentary insurance for the first 24 hours to 7 days- so ask your dealership if they will be providing this.
Some dealerships provide complimentary insurance for the first 24 hours to 7 days- so ask your dealership if they will be providing this.
THE COST
Car insurance can be sky high hence before you actually buy a car ( or confirm a deal), it is important to check the insurance quotes
Car insurance can be sky high hence before you actually buy a car ( or confirm a deal), it is important to check the insurance quotes
WEBSITES TO USE
There are a few comparison websites you can use:
https://www.confused.com/
https://www.comparethemarket.com/
There are a few comparison websites you can use:
https://www.confused.com/
https://www.comparethemarket.com/
WHICH WEBSITE TO GO FOR
Enter your details into all of them.
Enter your details into all of them.
Some websites offer vouchers( on domino's, halfords, etc), other deals ( 2 for 1 meal deals and cinema deals, etc)
Some websites have a cheaper quote for the same insurance company on another website
Some websites have a cheaper quote for the same insurance company on another website
WHAT IF I HAVE NOT EVEN VIEWED THE CAR
This is the best time to check insurance quotes
You can enter the registration plate number - it is available on all car selling websites. If you have emailed a particular dealership, you can get the reg number of the car they have in stock which you are interested in.
This is the best time to check insurance quotes
You can enter the registration plate number - it is available on all car selling websites. If you have emailed a particular dealership, you can get the reg number of the car they have in stock which you are interested in.
The easiest way ( How I do it ) is:
1. Go on Autotrader
2. Select the car you are interested in ( does not matter where it is located)
3. Enter the reg number on the aforementioned comparison websites
1. Go on Autotrader
2. Select the car you are interested in ( does not matter where it is located)
3. Enter the reg number on the aforementioned comparison websites
4. You will get for the particular make, model, engine capacity, year of registration and it is pretty accurate
HOW TO CHOOSE AN INSURANCE PROVIDER
When you enter your details in the aforementioned comparison websites , you will get a few quotes.
Start with the cheapest one. Check the rating not only on the comparison website but also by searching for that company on Google.
Remember, getting car insurance is not just a tickbox excercise to drive the car but can have you a lot of money if, God forbid you are involved in an accident.
Google reviews will give you insight to how the customer service is, what things you should be aware of.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN INSURANCE PROVIDER
When you enter your details in the aforementioned comparison websites , you will get a few quotes.
Start with the cheapest one. Check the rating not only on the comparison website but also by searching for that company on Google.
Remember, getting car insurance is not just a tickbox excercise to drive the car but can have you a lot of money if, God forbid you are involved in an accident.
Google reviews will give you insight to how the customer service is, what things you should be aware of.
GETTING QUOTES DIRECTLY
Sometimes, you might get a cheaper quote by going on the insurance providers website directly. There are dozens of providers so this can take a lot of time. I usually get a quote from the comparison websites first and then also get a quote directly from the website of the provider which is cheap, has good reviews.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
Black box insurance
I had black box insurance as my first insurance in the UK. It was a small device which I plugged into my cars ciggarette lighter and it fedback my driving to the company. The fine print in my case was that if I drive safely, do not do any harsh breaking/accelerarting, I will get 'points' which will give me a discount on my insurance in 6 months time.
Sometimes, you might get a cheaper quote by going on the insurance providers website directly. There are dozens of providers so this can take a lot of time. I usually get a quote from the comparison websites first and then also get a quote directly from the website of the provider which is cheap, has good reviews.
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
Black box insurance
I had black box insurance as my first insurance in the UK. It was a small device which I plugged into my cars ciggarette lighter and it fedback my driving to the company. The fine print in my case was that if I drive safely, do not do any harsh breaking/accelerarting, I will get 'points' which will give me a discount on my insurance in 6 months time.
There can be other fine prints like - you might see an increase in your quote in a few months. Hence read it carefully. Online reviews help here.
Where the company is based
Some insurance companies offer dirt cheap quotes. Upon reading reviews, you might find that they are based in another country and hence the UK laws for paying up for damage may not apply to them and that they cause a lot of problems for customers involved in accidents. Again, online reviews help here.
Where the company is based
Some insurance companies offer dirt cheap quotes. Upon reading reviews, you might find that they are based in another country and hence the UK laws for paying up for damage may not apply to them and that they cause a lot of problems for customers involved in accidents. Again, online reviews help here.
Exit fees
Some companies may charge a significant amount if you leave them before your contract ends. So make sure you are aware of this.
Some companies may charge a significant amount if you leave them before your contract ends. So make sure you are aware of this.
MONTHLY VS ANNUAL QUOTES
The annual quotes will be cheaper than monthly quotes.
For example you might get a quote for annual insurance for 900 GBP but the monthly cost might be 90 GBP - which equates to a total of 1080 GBP. However for most of us, monthly payments are easier rather than paying a one off payment.
EXTRA OPTIONS
Most insurance companies offer extra options like courtesy car, etc. in case you breakdown. It is entirely up to you.
The annual quotes will be cheaper than monthly quotes.
For example you might get a quote for annual insurance for 900 GBP but the monthly cost might be 90 GBP - which equates to a total of 1080 GBP. However for most of us, monthly payments are easier rather than paying a one off payment.
EXTRA OPTIONS
Most insurance companies offer extra options like courtesy car, etc. in case you breakdown. It is entirely up to you.
STEPS
1. Choose a car you wish to get
2. Enter the reg number in car insurance comparison websites by searching for the same year of manufacture, make, model, engine capacity on autotrader.
3. Have a look at various quotes
1. Choose a car you wish to get
2. Enter the reg number in car insurance comparison websites by searching for the same year of manufacture, make, model, engine capacity on autotrader.
3. Have a look at various quotes
4. Go for comprehensive insurance
5. Select any extra options you wish to go for
6. Check reviews online
ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR INSURANCE
When you have paid for the insurance, you can then print out the documents and put them in your car.
When you have paid for the insurance, you can then print out the documents and put them in your car.
Keep a PDF copy in your phone as well and save the insurance providers number to call on if, God forbid you are in a car accident.
Remember to claim the vouchers you may have received if you booked through comparison websites.
Remember to claim the vouchers you may have received if you booked through comparison websites.
NO CLAIMS BONUS
You can read more about it online but in summary - no claims bonus is a 'bonus' you get when you do not claim for any damage to your car.
So when you renew your insurance/go for another company in a years time, this no claim bonus ( of whatever number of years you have) will give you a lower price.
You can read more about it online but in summary - no claims bonus is a 'bonus' you get when you do not claim for any damage to your car.
So when you renew your insurance/go for another company in a years time, this no claim bonus ( of whatever number of years you have) will give you a lower price.
ANNUAL RENEWAL
Each year, with no claims bonus and with an extra year on your drivers license, your insurance comes down.
Most insurance companies offer auto renewal however my personal experience is that they charge higher than what you will get if you get new quotes from comparison websites
HOW TO APPLY FOR INSURANCE AFTER A YEAR
1. Go on the insurance comparison websites
2. Your details ( from last year) should already be saved making it easier
3. Edit it with the changes - like an extra year since you have had your license, additional drivers, an extra year to your no claims bonus
Each year, with no claims bonus and with an extra year on your drivers license, your insurance comes down.
Most insurance companies offer auto renewal however my personal experience is that they charge higher than what you will get if you get new quotes from comparison websites
HOW TO APPLY FOR INSURANCE AFTER A YEAR
1. Go on the insurance comparison websites
2. Your details ( from last year) should already be saved making it easier
3. Edit it with the changes - like an extra year since you have had your license, additional drivers, an extra year to your no claims bonus
4. Check the quotes, review the websites on Google
5. Also get quotes from the individual companies which are the cheapest and have the best reviews.
6. Get a quote from your current provider - I also send them an email with the quotes I am getting from the comparison websites to see if they can match it. On a few occasions, they have added NHS discount and brought the cost down so it is worth doing this.
5. Also get quotes from the individual companies which are the cheapest and have the best reviews.
6. Get a quote from your current provider - I also send them an email with the quotes I am getting from the comparison websites to see if they can match it. On a few occasions, they have added NHS discount and brought the cost down so it is worth doing this.
RELOCATING
When you relocate to a new address, it is your responsibility to inform the DVLA and your insurance company about the address change.
The insurance may be higher if you relocate to an address which is less safe, does not have driveway parking and you park in an open parking lot which is not secure or on street parking.
When you relocate to a new address, it is your responsibility to inform the DVLA and your insurance company about the address change.
The insurance may be higher if you relocate to an address which is less safe, does not have driveway parking and you park in an open parking lot which is not secure or on street parking.
FALSE INFORMATION
Be aware of giving false information like adding no claims bonus which you do not have, entering the wrong address, stating you are not using your car to commute to work when you actually are and so forth.
This may get you a cheaper quote but if you are in an accident, if there is any information which is false, you will not be able to claim for the damage.
Be aware of giving false information like adding no claims bonus which you do not have, entering the wrong address, stating you are not using your car to commute to work when you actually are and so forth.
This may get you a cheaper quote but if you are in an accident, if there is any information which is false, you will not be able to claim for the damage.
MY INSURANCE COSTS
1. 2016-7: First year for a 1.4 litre, 10 year old car: 150 GBP a month
2. 2017-8: 1.4 litre, '65 plate: 120 GBP a month
3. 2018-9: Same car, second and third years: 80 GBP a month
4. 2019-2020: 2.0litre mild hybrid '19 plate : 80 GBP a month
5. 2020-2021: 2.0litre mild hybrid '19 plate: 80 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 44 GBP a month
6. 2021- 2022: 2.0litre mild hybrid: 70 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 44 GBP a month
7. 2022: 2.0litre mild hybrid: 60 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 33 GBP a month
1. 2016-7: First year for a 1.4 litre, 10 year old car: 150 GBP a month
2. 2017-8: 1.4 litre, '65 plate: 120 GBP a month
3. 2018-9: Same car, second and third years: 80 GBP a month
4. 2019-2020: 2.0litre mild hybrid '19 plate : 80 GBP a month
5. 2020-2021: 2.0litre mild hybrid '19 plate: 80 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 44 GBP a month
6. 2021- 2022: 2.0litre mild hybrid: 70 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 44 GBP a month
7. 2022: 2.0litre mild hybrid: 60 GBP a month
1.4 litre, '67 plate car: 33 GBP a month
As you can see, the insurance costs drop each year.
Please note that there are a lot of factors involved here:
1. The fact that I have additional no claims bonus each year
2. I have relocated in 2017, 2018, 2019
3. The location the car was parked varied from underground car park to on street parking to parking on the driveway/locked garage.
Please note that there are a lot of factors involved here:
1. The fact that I have additional no claims bonus each year
2. I have relocated in 2017, 2018, 2019
3. The location the car was parked varied from underground car park to on street parking to parking on the driveway/locked garage.
A few related posts:
DRIVING IN UK
Frequently asked questions on driving and car ownership in the UK: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/frequently-asked-questions-about_31.html
DRIVING IN UK
Frequently asked questions on driving and car ownership in the UK: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/frequently-asked-questions-about_31.html
Passing your driving test in the UK
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/passing-your-driving-test-in-uk.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/passing-your-driving-test-in-uk.html
My guideline on buying a reliable car in the UK: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/my-guideline-on-buying-reliable-car-in.html
My guideline on maintaining a car in the UK: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/my-guideline-on-maintaining-car-in-uk.html
My experience of buying my third car in the UK ( on a PCP finance deal): https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2019/09/my-experience-of-buying-car-on-pcp-deal.html
My wife's experience of the driving test and buying her car on a PCP: https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2020/10/my-wifes-experience-of-driving-test-and.html
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