Motor insurance is a competitive market and insurers will offer different prices. While it may be worth consulting a price comparison website, you should note that not all insurers appear on these websites so, it may be worth searching directly as well. 

If you have any trouble finding cover, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a ‘find insurance’ service, which can help people find an insurance broker.

It is also prudent to start thinking early about your renewal process. Motorists typically pay less for their car insurance policy if they renew a couple weeks early as opposed to waiting until the last minute. 

Don’t simply pick a policy based on price. It is important to read your policy documents thoroughly to know what you are and are not covered for, and to make sure that the coverage matches your requirements. 

There are many different products available in the market such as telematics policies or pay-as-you-go cover that may be better suited to your driving habits. Additionally, you should make sure that the level of coverage, such as ‘comprehensive,’ or ‘social, domestic, and pleasure’ corresponds to your needs. A multicar policy may be a cheaper option if your household has more than one car. 

After you’ve decided on a policy, consider what ‘add ons’ or ‘extras’ can be added or taken away. Some common ones to consider are courtesy car cover, windscreen cover, breakdown cover or motor legal protection. You could also think about increasing your voluntary excess – this could reduce your premium, but it means you will need to pay more upfront in the event of a claim. If you have access to other transportation methods, it may be worth reducing your declared annual mileage. 

Some insurers will offer discounts if you can improve your car’s security, for example by installing an immobiliser or wheel locks. Others may be able to reduce premium if you take an approved driving course. However, these offers differ among insurers and it’s important to speak with them to understand how you can take advantage of these benefits. 

Modifications or aftermarket rims may make a vehicle more expensive to insure. When considering the purchase of a vehicle, check its car insurance group. This calculation gives a vehicle a score from 1-50 and takes into account the price of a vehicle, the safety features, the cost to source replacement parts, and its engine power to assess risk. Cars on the lower end of this spectrum will be cheaper to insure.  

Building up a history of a clean driving record and no claims can make a significant difference when it comes time to renew.