Obtaining the best quote

All insurers determine the premium based on the information that you give. You may be able to reduce your premium by a) increasing your voluntary excess, b) reducing the number of miles you drive annually, c) parking your car in a garage or on private property, d) reducing the number of drivers on the policy, e) fitting an approved alarm, immobiliser or tracker. Remember you are obliged by law to disclose all material facts.

Is the cheapest the best?

Not necessarily. Most consumers tend to buy on price alone but this may be a mistake. For instance check whether you receive a courtesy car following an accident. Also check the total amount of your excess, as some online quotation systems do not tell you what the policy excess is before you buy. We recommend that you always check the policy wordings.

Why is motor insurance so complicated?

Every individual's circumstances are different, type of vehicle, postcode, driving record, claims experience, occupation, type of use etc. Frequently there is more than one driver per policy. This makes it complicated. Insurance companies require as much information as possible to enable them to determine what the premium should be for the risk for each individual. Each insurer will assess the data differently so it is necessary to gather all of the information in order to get the most competitive quotes from as many insurers as possible.

Why is my insurance more expensive this year than it was last year?

For about seven out of the last ten years the insurers have been losing money by writing motor business. There has been pressure in the market to keep rates down due to the fact that so many companies are writing motor insurance but as they have lost so much money they are now putting the rates up so that they can make money again.

Why do premiums vary so much between different insurance companies?

Insurance companies work with different statistics and use different methods to calculate premium. Some companies specialise in certain areas or types of car so are prepared to discount more in some areas than others.

Is UK insurance NET cheaper?

UK insurance NET   cannot guarantee to be the cheapest, but generally we are, we try to  offer quotes from a panel of insurers who cover the market. Most of the time we should be cheaper or certainly offer the best value for money as we have low overheads. Our technology will result in savings to both consumers and insurers.

Why is motor insurance so expensive?

Motor insurance seems expensive but in comparison to some countries it is quite cheap. For about seven out of the last ten years the insurers have been losing money by writing motor business. The insurance companies have also been made to pay a contribution to a fund, which pays for all those people who drive without insurance. In addition to that, the insurance companies now have to pay for any treatment that you might have if you are admitted to hospital following a motor accident.

How do I compare premiums on one type of car with another?

You can print the quote page each time you seek a different quote.

What should I do if all insurers decline my request for insurance?

There are several reasons why insurers might decline to quote. You may not have entered your details correctly and the insurers will detect an anomaly in the data that you have provided. This may simply be due to an error of data entry. You can review the data that you have entered, correct the error and proceed with the quote.
It is quite possible that no insurer is willing to quote because they consider that the risk is unacceptable. The risk could be unacceptable because of your driving record or convictions or age or car.

If I have a small accident should I make a claim?

If you have a small accident such as a dent or broken light where there is no other car involved you may be better off repairing the damage at your expense rather than claiming on your insurance and possibly losing your no claims bonus. Look at the excess on your policy and make the appropriate decision. Be aware that any bodily injury should be reported to the police.

How often do prices change?

Premiums increase or decrease (typically monthly) as each insurance company assesses the costs of transacting business. Insurance companies have generally been losing money over the last few years and as such will be seeking to increase rates over the next few months.

What about going to Europe?

Check your Policy Wording to see what cover you have in Europe.

How can I tell which alarm I have?

All alarms are categorised by 'Thatcham' (a motor research institute). Some insurers will give discounts for various alarms but not for others. To obtain a discount for an alarm or immobiliser you must specify the exact alarm by referring to the alarm documentation provided at the time of purchase. If you do not have such information insurers will not grant discounts.