Car insurance isn’t the most enjoyable way to spend hundreds of pounds, but since it’s illegal to operate a vehicle without it, what choice do motorists really have? Having a policy in place may be compulsory, though motor insurance doesn’t have to cost the earth, and these top tips will help steer you towards the best deals on the market.

Auto-renewals aren’t always the best option

According to Motoring Research, British car owners are wasting a staggering £1.23 billion every year by auto-renewing their motor insurance policy. Sure, sticking with your current provider involves less hassle, but loyalty can be misplaced, and many of these motorists could have saved hundreds of pounds in premiums if they had shopped around.

Comparing the market could put you on the road to cheaper car insurance as many policy providers offer new customer discounts. Comparison sites can help you out here, but it’s also worth considering using an insurance broker who can seek out the deals that don’t appear in online rates tables. That way, you can rest assured you’re getting the best policy.

Consider upgrading your car’s security

The lower the risk the insurer is taking on by covering you, the more likely they are to offer attractive quotes and premiums. With this in mind, it could be worth beefing up your vehicle’s security to decrease the chances of it being broken into or stolen.

Most cars manufactured after 1997 already come kitted out with an alarm and immobiliser, but adding extra security features such as a tracker or a dashboard camera could save you money in the long run by driving down the cost of your motor insurance.

Think about which add-ons you really need

Many car insurance policies come bogged down with all kinds of add-ons. These extras can up the cover cost considerably and not all of them are indispensable.

Research by Consumer Intelligence suggests that just one in five motor insurance customers fully understand which extras are included in their policy. It’s vital to be clear on this because you could be shelling out extra for features you don’t need. While add-ons such as breakdown and windscreen cover might be important to you, perhaps you’d be happy to sacrifice legal expenses cover or use of a courtesy car, for instance?

Make sure you’re aware of exactly what you’re getting for your money and ask the insurer to remove any unnecessary add-ons that cost extra.

Look into multi-car cover

 If you live in a household where there’s more than one vehicle, insuring them together under a multi-car policy is a no-brainer for many families. It’s usually cheaper to take out a combined policy compared to buying separate ones from the same insurer.

Most motor insurance providers in the UK offer combined policies, and many of them will also give you the option to link any separate car insurance products that were taken out under the same home address and add a discount for unifying them.

Don’t assume third-party cover is cheaper

Third-party car insurance is cheaper since it offers less cover, right? Wrong! This is a risky assumption as it could mean you end up paying more or leave you underinsured. The fact you’ve chosen comprehensive cover will make you lower risk in the eyes of some insurers.

Although it doesn’t seem logical, opting for broader cover can mean that you end up paying less for your vehicle insurance. Some providers deem motorists who select the fully comprehensive cover to be more responsible, and therefore less likely to make a claim.

This won’t be the case in every scenario as insurance providers tend to apply their own criteria when assessing customers for these products, but be sure to check how the cost of third-party policies compares to comprehensive cover when shopping around. Companies like Online Money Advisor can put you in touch with financial advisors who’ll happily find you the best deal for your car insurance.