Zurich Insurance Offers

Zurich Insurance Offers

As an underwriter with experience going back many years, Zurich car insurance offers a service which very few can even hope to touch. Often acting behind the scenes to offer under writing services to a range of companies in the sector, they also have a presence in the UK car insurance market themselves. Their understanding of the market and access to the best pricing has proved vital in their growth of the last few years.

Zurich Car Ins Company History

While parent Zurich Group was for many years part of the British American Tobacco Group (BAT), it only really came to the fore after the demerger from BAT over 20 years ago. Based in Switzerland the financial services and insurance division have exposure to all of the major markets of the world. The standing of the group is demonstrated by the near $50 billion in revenue which the group takes per annum, something which few financial services groups can get close to.

The Zurich Insurance division of the UK has historically been very prominent in both the car insurance and home insurance markets, able to offer excellent terms through the parent company's insurance underwriting operations. Since being released from the group of BAT the UK division especially has gone from strength to strength and is well known under its own brand name, rather than being part of BAT.

Zurich Ins has an excellent online and offline UK insurance operation and has access to some of the best rates in the market place. The group also offers insurance services through a number of third parties giving them a vast under standing and involvement in the UK insurance market.

Other Zurich Insurance Products

While for so long they were hidden away in the BAT Group of companies, Zurich Insurance are a massive company in their own right with exposure to all areas of both the insurance and finance markets around the world. They have one of the largest under writing operations in the world and are involved with an array of third party insurance operations although their name remains pretty much behind the scenes. The have always had a heavy involvement in the UK car insurance market, offering some of the most competitive policies in the market.

Since they were released from the chains of BAT Group, they have become one of the best known names in the world insurance market. As you might expect from a company with exposure to so many markets they have perhaps the heaviest internet exposure of any in the sector, sites which include www.zurich.com, wwwzurich.com, zurichinsurance.com, zurichcarinsurance.com, www.zurich.co.uk, wwwzurich.co.uk, www.zurichinsurance.co.uk and www.zurichcarinsurance.co.uk.

As well as exposure to the UK car insurance market, Zurich also offer home insurance, van insurance and the full range of financial services.

Elephant Insurance Offers

Elephant Insurance Offers

Elephant.co.uk is part of the Admiral Group of companies which have taken the online insurance market by storm. Targeting individual areas of the market the likes of Elephant have been able carve out a great niche for themselves. The company is a leader in the use of online services to improve customer service and the online quote system is as good as it gets.

Elephant Car Ins Company History

Elephant.co.uk (to give the insurance company its correct title) is the only insurance company in the UK to use a URL in its name. Launched in August 2000 as an off-shoot from the financial company Admiral Group, Elephant insurance has become something of a leader in the UK car insurance market. Despite the bizarre name of the operation, it seems to struck a cord with the UK consumer and is now a recognised brand name.

While the group is based in the south east of England, it has offices spread over much of the UK as well as a heavily branded website which is hard to miss. By April 2007 the group was able to boast over 350,000 car insurance clients and the figure is now fast approaching the 500,000 mark. The majority of the company's customers are based in the south of England where premiums have been historically higher than the rest of the UK, allowing the group to under cut many of their competitors.

In line with Elephant branding, the group has been very active in the field of elephant charities, donating tens of thousands of pounds to an array of operators in this area.

Other Elephant Insurance Products

While many frowned at the use of an elephant character to attract attention to the serious business of insurance, it has certainly worked for Elephant.co.uk. They offer a fresh looking website with very high visibiity so that you can see what is on offer and where you need to go. As well as the traditional third party, 3rd party fire and theft and full comprehensive cover they also offer free courtesy car, named driver no claims, free windscreen repairs, legal cover and sat-nav and stereo cover.

Yet again Admiral Group have pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the launch of Elephant.co.uk, an insurance business which focuses on the car insurance market in the south of England where premiums can often become a little detached from the normal market standard. They seem to be taking business away from the more general insurers such as Aviva, Prudentialand Churchill who tend to cover the whole of the UK car insurance market. Why not check out what they have to offer at www.elephant.co.uk, wwwelephant.co.uk, www.elephantinsurance.co.uk, www.elephantcarinsurance.co.uk, www.elephant.com, www.elephant.com, www.elephanyinsurance.com and www.elephanycarinsurance.com to name but a few resource sites.

While the car insurance market is the bread and butter business of elephant.co.uk they are also expanding into the breakdown cover, home insurance, travel insurance and van insurance markets - again with the South of England their focal point.

Aviva Insurance Offers

Aviva Insurance Offers

Aviva (formerly Norwich Union) has been one of the rocks of the UK car insurance market over recent times with a history which can be traced back over 200 years. They know the UK car insurance market and they know how to provide affordable car insurance quotes. They have experience which money cannot buy which has seen them through the highs and lows of the UK insurance sector. Now part of the Aviva Group they have never been so strong in the UK insurance market.

Aviva Car Ins Company History

There are few names in the insurance industry which are as recognizable as Aviva (formerly Norwich Union), and while they may be better know by some for their Life Insurance activities, they now have an exposure across the whole insurance market. Now part of the Aviva Group, after the merger of Norwich Union and Commercial Union in 2000, both subsidiaries now trade under the Aviva brand name. Aviva has a history which can be traced as far back as 1797 with the creation of the 'Norwich Union Society for the Insurance of Houses, Stock and Merchandise from Fire'. While the industry of today is unrecognizable from that of today, there are very few companies who can boast the experience which they have obtained.

Interestingly, Aviva are the first insurer to introduce 'Pay As You Drive' (PAYD) vehicle insurance which uses GPS and mobile phone technology to track a vehicle and relay information such as mileage, time of day, etc back to the head office. This then allows Aviva to calculate a PAYD rate of insurance which is automatically debited to the customers account. While the technology has taken some time to take off, 2009 is forecast to be a year when PAYD insurance may well move into the mainstream insurance industry.

Other Aviva Insurance Products

Aviva offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of insurance services in the market, with leading exposure in many markets. Discounts and cash back offers are available on many of their car insurance policies whether you are looking for cover for your classic car, cover for your antique car or the more traditional family car insurance cover. Comprehensive cover, third party fire of theft or just third party cover are available on each of their polices, although extras such as breakdown recovery insurance and similar motoring services are also available.

As well as the car insurance market, Aviva also offer travel insurance, home and mortgage insurance, health insurance, retirement cover and an array of financial services.

Tesco Car Insurance

Tesco Car Insurance Offers

While Tesco are still regarded as a supermarket chain, they have undergone something of a transformation over the last decade having expanded into a whole host of new and exciting markets. The insurance market, and car insurance in particular, was an obvious move with so many customers looking online for cheap car insurance offers. Tesco introduced a host of insurance products with two distinct ranges, regular/premium car insurance and Tesco value car insurance, cheaper low cost cover with some of the frill taken out.

Tesco Ins Company History

Traced back to humble beginnings in 1924 who could have guessed that Tesco would move on to become one the largest supermarket groups in the world with exposure in each and every developed country around the globe. The first store opening did not occur until 1929, in Middlesex, but since then we have seen the group expand at lightening quick pace. The group now turns over nearly £50 billion a year, with profits in excess of £2 billion per annum!

While the Tesco of today is so different to that of nearly 100 years ago, the principles are still the same, quality products at affordable prices. Indeed they have transferred this principle over into their many non-food operations including car insurance. Tesco insurance is one of the fastest growing areas of the group with more products and services being added on a regular basis.

Tesco car insurance and Tesco home insurance are fast becoming an integral part of the UK insurance sector with many people using Tesco as a true one stop shop for all their financial products as well as their supermarket needs.

Other Tesco Insurance Products

As you might expect from a company who have such a massive client base, Tesco keep rolling out new products and services on a regular basis. Tesco Finance offers a growing list of products and services. As well as cars the insurance section includes Tesco Pet Insurance for dogs and cats, Tesco Home & Contents insurance, Tesco Travel Insurance, Personal cover including Dental, Health & Life Insurance and even cover for you car in the form of Tesco Breakdown Cover.

saga insurance

Saga Insurance Offers

Often a forgotten area of the UK car insurance market the over 50s have an excellent representative in the shape of Saga Insurance. They have been instrumental in moving many of the over 50s online and have used this to market their niche market car insurance services to their vast array of members. Few companies can boast a more in depth understand of their market place and customers.

Saga Car Ins Company History

Saga Car Insurance is now an important part of the Saga Group, a group which has been around since 1988 when it was first set up to voice the concerns of the over 50s. Saga has become heavily involved in a number of issues which have effected the over 50s, including minimum wage, housing benefits, heating allowance and many more issues over the years. However, it has developed into more than just a soap box for the over 50s, growing into a full blown financial services and travel group (to name but two of the main areas of activity).

While the Group has fully embraced the internet super highway, they have a membership magazine which is vital to the success of the group. This has been the launch pad for many Saga ventures, including the car insurance division which has dominated the niche over 50s market for some time. Much sought after for its exposure to the so called 'Grey Pound', the group is a totally different animal to the one which hit the headlines in 1988.

The so called 'Grey Pound' is a very lucrative area of the financial market with more and more over 50s becoming heavily involved with the internet and looking for the best financial deals they can find. The power behind Saga Insurance is the sheer volume of business which they create and the power this gives them within the market place.

Other Saga Insurance Products

It is not very often that you see one truly dominant player in any of the numerous car insurance niche markets, but this is the situation with Saga car insurance. They have a unique standing in the over 50s car insurance sector due to the strength of their underlying Saga band name - a name which will forever be associated with the over 50s market. This is obviously a very specialised market with cover types such as third party fire & theft and fully comprehensive available but premiums depending on the specific situation of the underlying customer.

While Saga insurance has no direct competition as such they also compete in the main market against the more established insurers such as Norwich Union, Prudential, Sainsburys, and Churchill as well as the new kids on the block such as Sheilas Wheels and Elephant.co.uk with whom they compare very well. Sites to look out for include www.saga.com, wwwsaga.com, www.sagainsurance.com, www.sagacarinsurance.com, www.saga.co.uk, wwwsaga.co.uk, www.sagainsurance.co.uk and www.sagacarinsurance.co.uk to name but a few.

Using their dominant position in the over 50s insurance market it will come as no surprise to learn that Saga offer the full range of insurance products from pet insurance to health insurance, from holiday home insurance to breakdown cover and more.

direct line Car Insurance

Direct Line Insurance Offers

Now part of the enormous Royal Bank of Scotland group of companies, Direct Line epitomises the new breed of ground breaking insurance companies which have appeared over the last 20 years. Under the stewardship of Peter Wood, Direct Line has become a leader in the UK car insurance market gaining applauds from many in the sector. Nimble footed and able to spot new markets in an instant there can be few more proactive companies than Direct Line.

Direct Line Car Ins Company History

The history of Direct Line reads like an entrepreneur's handbook and the name of Peter Wood is forever carved into the history of the sector. Peter Wood was the man who set-up what was then a small joint venture operation with Royal Bank of Scotland which carried a massive incentive package for the man in charge. Even Wood himself could never have dreamed of the success which followed what was the launch of the UKs first telephone insurer, a venture which was to bring the insurance market to the masses in a way which had never been considered before.

Such was the success of the business, Woods has gone on to pastures new after the Royal Bank of Scotland was forced to buy him out of the venture at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds. Since resorting by to full ownership by the leading UK Banking Group, Direct Line has continued to push the boundaries of the insurance market. The red phone logo is one of the best known brands in the industry and the group now takes in all areas of the insurance sector, with car insurance a particularly strong component.

The popularity of the internet has offered further opportunities to gear up the business and further promote a brand name which really sells itself. While Peter Wood has gone on to launch the Sheilas Wheels insurance venture, which is predominantly targeted at the ladies market, Royal Bank of Scotland have taken Direct Line to another level and it is now one of the leading lights in the sector, with exposure to large areas of Europe.

Direct Line Insurance Products

Direct Line have been leading the car insurance UK market for many years and have created a comprehensive online car insurance portal which is receiving enormous interest from those looking for affordable car insurance. They explain well the aspects of Third Party Fire & Theft (TPF&T), Comprehensive and Third Party Only (TPO) which many people are unsure about. Affordable low cost car insurance has never been more accessible than it is today and the competitor in the market has put the consumer in pole position.

Direct Line also offer life insurance, travel insurance, business insurance, pet insurance, breakdown cover, European cover, van insurance, critical illness cover and a whole host of financial services.

Car Insurance - do you really understand ?

Insuring your vehicle is probably one of the least enjoyable aspects of being a car owner. But as it’s a legal requirement it’s unfortunately not something that can be avoided.

With thousands of insurance companies to choose from, each using unfamiliar terminology, finding car insurance can be quite a daunting task for a new driver.

Without guidance, searching for car insurance quotes and finding the right policy can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help simplify the process of understanding car insurances.

Different Types of Policies
When you apply for car insurance you will be faced with the following policy options:

Third Party
This is the minimum amount of cover that insurance companies can offer you. It only covers damage costs if you injure someone else or their property in a motoring accident. Any damages or injuries sustained to yourself or your vehicle will be down to you to pay for.

Third Party Fire and Theft
This is the minimum amount of cover that some companies will offer. You will be protected if you injure or damage someone else’s property. It also covers your own vehicle if it is stolen or burnt. What it won’t cover you for is the cost of your vehicle if it’s involved in an accident or is vandalized. This type of insurance is most appropriate when you have a vehicle that is of low value.

Comprehensive
This is the most expensive form of insurance but it covers you for almost every eventuality. What it covers can vary depending on insurer but most fully comprehensive insurance will cover you for accidental damage to your own vehicle, injury to someone else, damage to their vehicle and damage to your vehicle from fire and theft. Some policies will cover you for items that are stolen from your vehicle and also medical expenses if you are injured.

Excess
When applying for your for car insurance you will be asked to agree on an excess fee. This means that if you are involved in an accident that is your fault, then you will be required to pay the first £100 - £500 of the claim. . If you are trying to reduce your policy then you can pay a higher excess, but in the event of an accident that is your fault, you will be required to pay this amount when you make the claim. It is important to note that with some insurers you may be required to pay a young drivers excess if you are under 25 years of age.

No claims Bonus
This is the number of years that you have had car insurance without making a claim. The more years you have the better, as this proves to theinsurance company that you are of low risk, which will lead to a reduction in the amount you have to pay. If you do happen to make a claim, which is proven to be your fault, then you can lose you no claims bonus. If you have a number of years built up then your insurance company can offer you protection on those years, so you don’t lose them in event of an accident that is your fault.

Keep Your Car Clean With These Tips ||| NEW !

After purchasing a new car, most of us start out with a strong resolve to keep it clean. All sorts of promises are made, from not eating in the car, to never leaving jackets or other items in the back seat. There may even be promises of washing and vacuuming the car every weekend.

While most of us tend to relax our cleaning efforts after a few months, it does not mean our cars cannot look great, even as they age. There are a number of ways to keep a car clean that requires little to no effort. If you want to make your car look great and feel clean, here are some suggestions to consider.

One of the most common cleaning issues with vehicles is that sometimes allow miscellaneous items to pile up in the back seat. Jackets, books, homework folders, old clothes, and other items settle into the back seat and seem to take up space. All too often, these items can remain in the car for days or even weeks.

To eliminate the clutter, impose a twenty-four hour rule: any spare item that goes into the car must come out of the car within twenty-four hours. This is a great method because it helps keep your car clean from unnecessary clutter.

Trash is almost as much of an issue as clutter. To deal with this issue, always keep a small garbage bag tucked into the glove compartment or the pocket on the back of the seats. Use the bag to gather up any fast food containers, candy wrappers, or other discarded junk from the interior of the car, and then toss the bag into a nearby trash receptacle. This is something that should be done at least once per week. This allows you to keep the interior of your car trash free.

Households with kids know that taking food along on any road trip is necessary. However, eating while the car is in motion can be messy. To protect the upholstery, use spill-proof cups and simple plastic holders for finger foods. Many of these food holders have flexible bands across the mouth of the device, making it easy for your kids to reach in and grab whichever snack is available. If the holder is dropped, the bands keep the snacks from falling onto the seats or floorboard carpeting. While they cost a little more, these devices make it much easier to keep the upholstery in good condition.

Adults, of course, can also spill liquids in the car. For this reason, always use insulated cups that are equipped with lids for beverages such as coffee, tea, or colas. It is just as easy to enjoy your drink, but if the container does fall to the floor, only a small amount of liquid may spill onto the carpeting. This can make it much faster to clean if something happens to spill.

Many people do not realize how many surfaces they touch while in a vehicle. If your hands are greasy or dirty, some of the dirt and grime may be left behind each time you rub against the upholstery, touch the dashboard, or handle the steering wheel. To keep the accumulation of grime to a minimum, always keep hand wipes in the glove compartment. A quick cleanup after grabbing a burger at a drive-through can save you a lot of time later on, since you should not have to remove the grease.

Resealable bags are a great way to deal with all sorts of situations. Large bags can be used to keep wet clothing or muddy shoes from coming in contact with the upholstery or carpeting. Small bags are ideal for carrying along a moistened washcloth for cleaning an infant’s face and hands after a snack. Keep a few of these bags tucked into the glove compartment in case there is an emergency.

Even under the best of circumstances, some stains are bound to develop on the upholstery. Often, non-gel toothpaste can come in handy. For stains like ketchup or lipstick, quickly apply a little of the toothpaste to the stain, then rub gently with a wet cloth.

One final way to keep your car clean and fresh is to invest in a good quality hand-held vacuum. This device can be used to remove crumbs from the interior, thus eliminating the chance of oil stains while also keeping the area fresh and inviting. Remember to charge the battery on the vacuum now and then; this ensures the device is ready when you need it.

When cleaning your car, remember to avoid anything that can cause a spill or make a mess on your carpeting or upholstery. Although that is easier said than done, you should take precautionary measures to ensure the car stays clean. Cleaning the car often is a great first step to keep the car looking great. If your kids like to eat during road trips, be sure to seal the food and drinks in a container that makes it difficult to spill. Hand wipes also help significantly because they allow you to clean your hands before touching the upholstery.

Tips for Choosing the Correct Car Insurance Company

When you go to choose a car insurance company it may be a tough choice deciding which one is best. First, you have to decide what you are looking for in an auto insurance company
so that you can make the right decision. There are many insurance companies to choose from which can make your decision even more difficult. Here are a few things that can help you to choose the right insurance company for your needs.

You should definitely research several options before making your decision. This will be important as some of them will offer different packages and services. You should never let the cost be your deciding decision when it comes to choosing auto insurance. The price is an important factor but what is more important is the service you get for that price.

The price can vary quite a bit between the different companies due to some with offer services that some do not. By comparing insurance companies and what they have to offer you can help you to fill in the blanks as to what is included in the cost or not. If the company has good and reliable customer service this is another reason you may decide to choose a particular insurance company. The service you receive will be an important feature to look for with any car insurance company. Talk to them and compare their services to other companies. Make sure they are dependable so that you will be able to trust them with your auto insurance needs. Maybe a friend or family member can give you some advice on choosing a good auto insurance company. This is a good way to know if others have had good service with their insurance companies.

If you check online, each state should have a website about their states insurance companies. This is a good way to see how many complaints each insurance company has received from their customers. Online sites have so much information that they should definitely help you in making your decision much easier. Sometimes by going to a body shop around your town and asking them, they can give you good advice on which car insurance companies are the best. They deal with these companies on a daily basis so they should have information that will be helpful to you. Compare the companies to find out which of them have the best financial strength score. This is a good way to find out if the insurance company will have the means to pay for claims.

When leasing a car is better than buying

When leasing a car is better than buying

I would like to start this article with a famous quote from oil baron Paul Getty "if it appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, lease it". Many would say that is money management 101 or simply think it is common sense. So why buy a new car when you can lease it.

Mr. Getty's saying is a perfect fit for fleet managers and business owners alike who are building or renewing their fleets. In this article I'll point out key benefits to why leasing can be a real money saver from a business perspective.

When you buy a new car, be it privately or for a business, the minute you drive it off the forecourt it starts to depreciate, in other words you are loosing money the moment you drive your new car out of the garage you bought it from. This brings another subject into play, car depreciation, but that is content for another article.

Even though I won't discuss car depreciation in detail here, that is something you have to take for granted when leasing or contract hiring a car or a whole fleet. I recommend German cars as they depreciate far less than other brands. More on this later.

First of all let us understand the concepts of car leasing. The concepts of leasing a car are fairly simply, yet many business owners and fleet managers are often sceptical about it. First of all car leasing is not renting as many people mistakenly believe.

That said, leasing is a financial method, similar to a loan. When you lease a car you will be paying a set amount a month to purchase a new vehicle, but this vehicle won't be yours. At this point you might be asking yourself, what is the point in all this, paying for something that won't be mine?

If you asked yourself this question, I have to agree with you to a certain extent, but there other benefits that make car leasing more attractive than buying a new car. First, monthly payments are on average 30% to 60% cheaper than the ordinary car loan and there isn't the need for a huge upfront deposit. In general the majority of car leasing companies will only ask for a deposit of 3 monthly payments.

Second, you can renew your fleet every 2 to 4 years depending on your leasing contract. Not to mention that road taxes are usually included in the lease price and as they are brand new vehicles, warranty covers most of the maintenance costs.

Third, as afore mentioned maintenance costs are little to none specially because when you lease you will always have new car in hand and you do not need to worry about it breaking down unless it is a manufacturers problem. In those cases maintenance is also free of charge.

Fourth, no used car hassles, Lease and eliminate the headaches of trying to sell used cars. With leasing you simply return it to the leasing company and choose a new one. Imagine renewing your whole fleet of vehicles by simply ringing your leasing company and scheduling it, no hassles, no time off work hopping from dealer to dealer after the best deals.

As you can see there are countless benefits that make car leasing better than buying from a business standpoint. A recent study revealed that 20% to 25% of all new cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans are leased. In the premium segment numbers are even higher, approximately 75% of luxury cars purchased in the UK are leased.

Determining the lease price of a car

To determine the lease price of a given car, a series of factors are to be considered. First we have the initial purchase price, it is brand new, millage and condition are disregarded, if it is a used car these three factors are brought into the equation.

But the two most important factors that will influence your monthly payments are residual value and depreciation. Residual value is an estimate of the value a given vehicle will have when it reaches the end of the lease.

As afore mentioned depreciation has a great influence in the final price of your monthly payments. In short, it refers to the reduction in the car's value caused by age. Brand and model are closely related to depreciation, as some brand depreciate less than others.

Reason why I recommend German cars is their depreciation factor is way better than other brands like some Asian brands like KIA and Hyundai. For instance, you can lease an Audi for less than £240 a month, way less than what you will pay a loan on the same car.

How to save money on your auto insurance

Car insurances prices are increasing on the back of the credit crunch and are hitting drivers hard at a time when many can’t afford the extra expense. Unfortunately, more and more people are simply not getting auto insurance. This is foolish, and can result in financial ruin if an accident occurs. 

However, there are ten simple ways to reduce the price of your auto insurance which moneysupermarket.com have come up with based on their vast experience with car insurance firms:

1. Work on a having a good driving history-Insurance companies are taking a risk on your driving habits. As such, if you have a good driving track record, then chances of you getting in a road accident (and ergo chances of the insurance company needing to make a payout) are slim. So, the better you drive the cheaper your insurance.
2. Cut down your mileage- Reducing the number of miles you travel will also reduce the price of your insurance. However, don’t go over the mileage you state as this will render your policy void if you have an accident after you pass the limit.
3. Know your credit score- Your credit score is one of the things an insurer takes into consideration when figuring out the auto insurance quote to give you. If your credit score is bad, this means your finances are not good, which means you’re a big risk for the insurance company, which in turn means you get a high car insurance rate. What a lot of people don’t realize is that there are often mistakes in one’s credit score! The best thing to do here is for you to know your credit score NOW and fix any erroneous entries by getting in touch with credit report companies to get these mistakes out and thus improve your credit score. In the end, a good credit score means cheaper insurance.
4. buy online- most auto insurance firms offer cheaper deals online than they in store or over the phone due to reduced admin costs.
5. Shop around- It’s easy to simply accept an offer from your current insurer. However, moneysupermarket.com believes that shopping around and getting quotes from different insurers can save the average driver $326 a year.
6. Read online reviews- The only danger with shopping around is that you don’t know what the customer service will be like from the new insurer. Therefore try visiting AutoInsuranceReviewer.com (AIR). AIR is third-party site where thousands of people just like you sign up and post their own personal reviews of car insurance providers they’ve dealt with.
7. Haggle for a deal- Nowadays, there are plenty of discounts that can be had on car insurance but they won’t simply be given to you. So go ahead and ask! More often than not if you inform them that you have been offered cheaper elsewhere but would prefer the level of service offer by them, they will lower their prices.
8. Take higher deductibles- If you can afford it, opt to pay a higher deductible (the amount you need to pay the auto insurance company before they pay any claims) than normal. It may be steep at the start but this means paying lower monthly premiums too, which in the long run means more savings for you. However, it is a risk as it will mean you are more at risk if you do have an accident.
9. Park safely- Where you car is parked during the day and at night will influence the amount you pay, and if your insurers are told your car is parked on a driveway or in a garage, they are inclined to reduce the price of your policy. However, if your car is damaged when parked on the road outside your house when you have stated on your policy that you park in a garage, expect to have problems when making a claim.
10. Fit an alarm- Fitting an approved alarm and/or immobiliser is another great way of reducing your insurance price as it reduces the chance of your car being stolen.

How to get cheap auto insurance?

Getting cheap auto insurance is not that hard as it may seem to be. Most car owners simply don't know some little catches of the auto insurance industry and have to overpay with their policies. If you don't want to go with the rest and pay too much for auto insurance. All you have to do is to learn some specific hints of the industry and take little measures for them to be effective. There's nothing complicated about this, but it's always better to start before you actually take a new policy. So here are some of the most effective ways to cut down your insurance costs: Buy a cheap car to insure This is simply the best way to get cheap auto insurance and many car owners seem to forget about that. Buying a car that is safe, not too fast and powerful can help you save quite a lot of money in the end of the year. Many car owners seem to get surprised when they get the rates for fast and luxurious sports cars, but taking the risk connected with such vehicles there's no wonder they are so expensive to insure. Keep it simple with a mid sized sedan that is not too powerful and safe to drive. You will be pleasantly surprised how cheap it may turn out to cover such a vehicle. Raise your deductible This is the most direct option for affecting your rates, but you have to be careful with it. A deductible is the sum of out of pocket expenses that you agree to take before the policy coverage kicks in. For example, if your deductible is $500 then you will have to pay for all the damage up to this amount on your own. And the higher is the amount, the lower your rates will get. But be careful to keep the deductible at a reasonable level because there's no sense in having auto insurance coverage when you simply can't afford to pay the deductible you've chosen. Shop around There's no way to beat this one. As with any purchase, getting a good deal of comparison shopping I s the best way to get cheap auto insurance. Just try to get as many quotes as possible from different insurance companies, compare them and choose the most advantageous offer. You will be surprised how different quotes may be for the same car from different providers. So use it to your own advantage and spend some time on getting the best deal possible.

Auto insurance quotes and rates

Why do you need auto insurance quotes? Auto insurance quotes are definitely the first thing an auto owner will come across when looking for an insurance policy. There's an abundance of auto insurance quotes on the web, with so many sites offering free quotes from different providers. But what are these quotes all about? And how are they calculated? First of all, you have to understand what an insurance quote is. Just like with all other types of insurance products, auto insurance quotes represent almost exactrates you will be charged with if you by a specific policy, from a specific provider, for a specific car. It's hard to compare quotes with prices, because prices are always fixed and quotes are not. Each time you opt for a quote, you have to fill out a form and the insurance provider calculates the exact rate according to key factors such as car make, model, engine power, top speed, your age, sex, driving experience and record. For each customer these factors are unique and they can make a big difference in the final rates you will get from the company. Now when it comes to the actual insurance rates, things are pretty much the same as with auto insurance quotes. In fact, when getting quotes from a reliable source, the difference between the initial quote and the final rate should be minimal. If the difference is big, it's not a quote that you get but an estimate that can vary considerably when you get the actual policy. So make sure to get your auto insurance quotes from a place that offers reliable and precise information and not just estimates. How do auto insurance rates depend on the quotes? The best way to understand how auto insurance quotes and rates may vary depending on the key factors is using the free online quotes services and simply changing the variables in the online form. It's pretty easy and it doesn't cost you anything. But as a result you will clearly see how the car factors and your personal information affect the final rates. It is very important to know how your rates are calculated when choosing an insurer. The best thing about auto insurance is that all insurers have pretty much the same mechanism of calculating their quotes, but there are slight differences that can give you better rates across different companies. Just use the free quotes to learn how the rates will vary from one company to another and use this catch to your advantage.

Garage can make all the difference on insurance

Garage can make all the difference on insurance

What a lot of people don't realise is that having a garage – and using it for its intended purpose of car storage – can lead to a heavy reduction on your car insurance.

Insurance companies have long looked favourably on cars that are kept over night inside a garage, rather than left in on-street parking spaces. It can sometimes lead to saving hundreds of pounds off your premium.

Stephen Richards, whose company, Storage Maker, designs tailored garage storage systems, said keeping your garage tidy is simple but worthwhile.

“By using an effective garage storage solution, you can take back control of the space you have and use a garage for what it was intended, namely to keep the car in,” he said.

"By getting your stored items off the garage floor and onto shelves, wall-mounted storage and generally tidied up, you can use the garage for two purposes – the one it was designed for and as an additional home storage area,” adds Stephen.



He warned that people who say they keep their cars in garages but really do not due to crowding and clutter, are running the risk of finding their insurance is invalid and not able to make an insurance claim when they need to. 

UK drivers most likely to shop around for insurance

UK drivers most likely to shop around for insurance

Analyst at Datamonitor, Andrew Haslip, said it had become common behaviour among British people, whether they were looking for car, home or travel isurance."In fact when looking at car insurance, 64 per cent of us said we were shopping around for the cheapest deal, compared to 46 per cent in the next nearest market, Italy," he revealed.Sweden took the next spot, with 44 per cent, then Australia with 42 per cent, 36 per cent in Canada and Germany and only 32 per cent in the US.Mr Haslip said it showed the UK's love affair with price comparison websites. He continued, "Brands such as Churchill have identified that consumers are trusting friends, family and online recommendations more and as a result have used social media, in addition to traditional advertising, to build their brand presence among more than just insurance purchasers."He said increasing numbers of social media points of contact – links to YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and iPhone apps – meant that people were constantly being presented with quick and hassle-free ways of exploring their options. 

AA seeks to rectify incorrect winter tyre insurance classification

AA seeks to rectify incorrect winter tyre insurance classification

The AA has said that insurance company call centre workers have, through a lack of knowledge, been classifying the addition of the safer tyres as a modification, which carries an automatic 20 per cent extra premium.

The driving organisation has been seeking to rectify these increases however, as the addition of the tyres should without question make a premium decrease. One driver, Alison Martin, who fitted the tyres and was told they would cause her insurance to rise, said she was completely shocked by it.

"I only mentioned it because I though as winter tyres improved safety I might get a reduced premium," she said. "After all it’s going to cost me to have the tyres changed again once spring arrives."

Winter tyres are made out of a substance that has a much higher proportion of rubber which keeps the tyre soft, even in freezing conditions. The ordinary composition of tyres means that once the temperature drops below seven degrees, the material begins to harden and its traction is reduced.

The AA has said that anyone who has been charged the extra premium should contact their insurer's head office directly. 

Motor insurance customers getting great deals from online car sales

Motor insurance customers getting great deals from online car sales

Its motoring analysts say car insurance customers who buy a vehicle via the web are not only likely to secure a bigger discount, they also benefit from added legal protection.

Which? Car trawled the market for 14 popular new models and found 12 of them cheaper online. Five cars were being offered at over £5,000 below their list price, while six were more than £1,000 cheaper online than in a showroom.

Editor Richard Headland points out that car insurance customers who complete a deal online also have their purchase subject to Distance Selling Regulations, which give them a seven-day cooling-off period after delivery. In that time, motorists are entitled to change their mind and receive a complete refund.

The web has therefore "thrown down the gauntlet" to traditional car dealerships, he claims: "The internet is revolutionising the way people are shopping for cars and we're all for it.

"Not only can buyers find bargain prices online – without haggling with a salesperson – they have better legal rights too."

Car insurance highlights for 2010 from Direct Line and swiftcover.com

Car insurance customers have between now and the end of March to avail of a free cover offer from Direct Line. With the aim of helping its customers tackle their finances for 2010, the provider's car insurance offer applies to motorists taking out a new policy.

In addition to 52 days worth of free car insurance cover, such drivers can also benefit from up to 65 per cent off their policy as a no claims discount.

"Quotes made during the offer period are valid for 90 days," explains a Direct Line spokesperson. "These are introductory offers, and as such are only available to new customers."

Meanwhile, another motor insurance provider has ushered in the new year with a multimillion-pound advertising campaign featuring a "mini-me" puppet of legendary rocker Iggy Pop.

Tina Shortle from swiftcover.com says the face of the car insurance brand loved the reaction he got while representing it across the media last year.

"Let's face it, car insurance, although essential, isn't that exciting, but that's no reason for car insurance adverts to be dull," she adds. "The theme of the campaign continues to be about getting your insurance sorted quickly so that you can 'Get A Life'."