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Car Insurance

Important factors to consider when looking for car insurance as a new driver

So you’ve passed your test – congratulations! However, for some newly qualified drivers, the realisation of how much car insurance can cost comes as a shock to the system. If you’ve so far got by on temporary coverage, or been added as a provisional driver to a long-standing insurance policy on a parent or friend’s vehicle, you may now be facing the unexpected challenge of finding a online insurance that covers you on your own vehicle.

Size really does matter

One key factor in determining the cost of insurance premiums is the engine size of the vehicle. So if you haven’t yet bought a car, make sure you research the comprehensive insurance costs of all the options you are considering. Even cars that at first glance seem similar may have noticeably different insurance premiums due to just a small variation in engine size.

More mods mean more money

Although it might be tempting to raise or lower the car or add alloys or larger wheels, this may not be a great idea. Insurers do not tend to look favourably on modifications. They can noticeably increase the cost of insurance, and failure to declare modifications that you have made can render your insurance invalid, so take great care when making changes!

Mind the gap

A final factor to consider is whether the full value of your car would be protected if you were to have an accident that wrote the vehicle off. New vehicles lose a lot of their value in the first year. This depreciation means that if a car is damaged in an accident, and the insurance will only payout on the current value, you could stand to lose a significant amount of your initial investment. This can be particularly problematic if you have bought your car on finance – you could end up with a big bill, which would not be entirely covered by the insurance payout.

This is where a relatively new insurance product, gap insurance, comes in. Designed primarily for new drivers and nearly new cars, this insurance will cover the difference between any outstanding finance payments you owe on the car, and the payment from your main insurance policy. For new drivers with new cars, this is definitely a factor worth considering.

Photo: Free image by Pixabay
Categories
Car Insurance

How to get cheap car insurance online

Anyone who uses a car will need car insurance. This is a regular payment which can be a major expense for many people, as well as being time-consuming for owners to set up. There are many different policies out there, often with wide-ranging costs, so how do you ensure you get the best deal for your money? Our experts at www.CompareInsurance.ae know all the tips and tricks and want to share them with you!

1. Choose a cheap car to insure

If you are looking to buy a new car but are worried about the insurance costs, then take a look at the average insurance costs of cars before you buy. Cars that may be at the same sale price point may have hugely different insurance costs, so always check with an insurance broker before buying.

2. Pay in one go

You will often get a choice of whether to pay your insurance in one lump sum or in monthly instalments. Paying the whole cost in a single go will often reduce the total amount you need to pay, as your insurance company won’t charge any interest on monthly instalments. If you have the funds, then paying upfront is always best.

3. Reduce annual mileage

If you limit the amount that you are on the road, it stands to reason that your insurance premiums will be reduced. Insurance companies analyse your time on the road through annual mileage, so a lower annual mileage will lead to a lower insurance cost. Make sure you are realistic with your mileage claims, though, as if your provider finds out that you weren’t accurate then there could be problems further down the line.

4. Check the extras you get

Different insurance premiums will have different benefits, including windscreen cover, breakdown cover and the use of a courtesy car. All of these will increase the costs of your insurance premium, so it’s well worth thinking about whether you really need to be paying for these benefits.

To compare car insurance, speak to our motor insurance specialists via our online chat or Whatsapp. Our staff are always ready to help you save money, so take a look today!

Photo: Free image by Pixabay