Saving YOU money

If you want to save a FORTUNE on car insurance, you’re going to love this 2023 (updated) guide.

This is the most comprehensive advice you will read about getting cheap car insurance this year.

A simple, step-by-step guide that SAVES YOU MONEY.

And the best part?

Everything in this guide is working GREAT right now.

Let’s dive in.

Introduction

Have you noticed?

Car insurance, like almost everything else in the UK right now, is expensive.

Really expensive.

Every year you begin in a never-ending game of cat and mouse with your insurance company.

Trying to secure the cheapest car insurance policy possible without compromising on coverage.

We’ve all been there.

But don’t worry.

Things are about to get a LOT easier for you.

And cheaper, too.

But let’s start at the beginning.

Understanding Car Insurance

What is car insurance?

Simply put:

Car insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company.

In exchange for your annual premium, the insurance company agrees to pay for certain car-related expenses – namely accidents and injuries – during the term of the agreement.

Pretty straightforward, right?

Car insurance is essential, not just because it’s a legal requirement in the UK, but also because it protects you from potentially crippling financial losses.

And it’s not just about you, either.

Your insurance also helps to shield other drivers from the financial impact if you’re at fault in an accident.

Here’s how it works:

There are three main types of car insurance in the UK:

• • Fully Comprehensive
  • Third-Party, Fire, and Theft
  • Third-Party Only

We’ll dive into these types in more detail later in the guide.

But for now:

Just know that these options differ in terms of the level of protection they offer and, of course, their cost.

Why the Cost of Car Insurance Varies

Have you ever wondered why insurance costs differ so much between drivers, cars, or locations?

Here’s the deal:

Insurance companies calculate your premium based on risk.

They use complex algorithms to assess how likely you are to make a claim.

In other words.

The higher the risk, the higher your insurance premium.

Various factors influence this risk calculation, and they can broadly be categorised into three groups:

• • Driver-related factors
  • Vehicle-related factors
  • Policy-related factors

Driver-related factors include your age, driving experience, and driving history.

Younger drivers, for instance, are often charged more because they’re statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.

Next up, vehicle-related factors.

These include the make and model of your car, its age, value, engine size, and even its desirability to thieves (!).

Finally, policy-related factors come into play.

These can include the level of coverage you choose (remember those three types we talked about?), the size of your excess, and any optional extras you add to your policy.

So there you have it.

Understanding what factors influence the cost of your premium is the first step towards finding cheap car insurance.

And that’s exactly what we’ll be helping you with in 2023.

Stick around for more.

I promise it will be worth it.

Cheap Car Insurance: Myth or Reality?

Do you want to know a secret?

There is such a thing as cheap car insurance.

In fact, most of our customers would argue that we’re in the game of finding very cheap car insurance in 2023.

But remember:

It’s not just about the price.

The trick is finding a policy that offers you the cover you need, at a price you can afford.

That’s the sweet spot.

So, how do you find this mythical cheap car insurance with so much jargon, complex policies, and seemingly endless options?

Well, that’s where we come in.

Where in the UK is Car Insurance Cheapest?

Did you know?

Car insurance rates vary considerably from one part of the UK to another.

It’s sad but true.

Areas with higher crime rates or more traffic usually have higher insurance premiums.

Why?

Because the likelihood of theft or accidents is higher in these areas.

That makes sense, right?

So, where in the UK is car insurance cheapest?

Well, according to recent data, the South West of England tends to have the lowest car insurance premiums.

London, on the other hand, often has the highest.

But don’t pack your bags just yet.

While moving to a new area might lower your insurance rates, it’s not the most practical solution for everyone.

Plus, there are other (more convenient and quicker) ways to reduce your insurance costs.

Keep reading to find out how.

Which Insurance Group is Cheapest in the UK?

Guess what?

Every car in the UK is assigned to an insurance group.

There are a staggering 50 of these groups, and each one represents a different level of risk (and therefore, cost).

In my experience:

Cars in lower groups are typically cheaper to insure than those in higher groups.

So, if you’re looking for cheap car insurance, it goes without saying that you should consider buying a car in a lower insurance group.

This is particularly relevant for young drivers.

This leads us neatly to our special section on that very subject.

Cheap Car Insurance for Young Drivers

You’re young, just passed your driving test, and eager to hit the road.

We’ve all been there.

So what’s holding you back?

Sky-high car insurance premiums, of course.

Why?

Because young and inexperienced drivers are seen as high-risk by insurance companies.

This often results in astronomically high car insurance.

Particularly if other factors (location, insurance group etc) are working against you.

But all is not lost.

In fact, can I let you in on a secret?

Young drivers can get cheap car insurance, too.

Better still.

There are always opportunities to lower your car insurance premiums.

You just need to know where to look.

How to get cheap insurance for a 20-year-old?

Consider telematics insurance.

This is also known as black box insurance.

Why is it great for young and first-time drivers?

Well, this type of policy monitors your driving behaviour.

And if you can prove – via the telematics device – that you’re a safe driver, you could shave hundreds off your car insurance premiums.

Pretty cool, huh?

But it doesn’t stop there.

Taking additional driving courses like the Pass Plus can also save you a fortune.

If you’re between 17 and 23, a certified advanced driver qualification can cut your premiums in half.

Yes, you read that right.

And while we’re on the subject:

How much is car insurance for a 23-year-old in the UK?

In short:

There is no straightforward answer to this question.

Car insurance, as mentioned previously, varies widely depending on several factors like your car, your location, and your driving history.

That being said:

In our experience,  a 23-year-old driver in the UK could expect to pay, on average, around £800 to £1,000 for their annual car insurance.

Can I be totally honest with you though?

Most 17 to 23-year-olds don’t follow the advice in this guide and end up paying considerably more than they have to.

It’s sad but true.

What insurance cover is best for first-time drivers?

This is one of the most common questions we’re asked.

And the answer may surprise you.

Because while third-party insurance is the minimum required by law, it might not always be the cheapest or the best option.

How so?

Well, comprehensive insurance, although it sounds more expensive, can often work out cheaper and provides a greater level of protection.

It’s the financial equivalent and having your cake and eating it.

Remember:

Being savvy with your car insurance it’s about finding the right balance between cost and coverage.

We’ll talk about this more in the coming sections.

But in the meantime, you might still be asking yourself:

Why insurance is so high for young drivers in the UK?

To hammer the point home:

The main reason is risk.

Insurers use a range of factors to assess how likely a driver is to make a claim, and unfortunately, statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.

Accidents (and claims) are expensive.

Nobody wants to foot the bill for a damaged car, especially not insurance companies.

This is why they use a tried and tested method for assessing risk and mitigating their potential losses through higher premiums.

But it’s not all bad news for young drivers.

Especially if you have been able to build up a no-claims discount.

And we’re not through yet:

There are still plenty of ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance premium.

In fact, as it turns out:

A slight increase in the voluntary excess on your policy can yield significant savings.

A word of warning, though.

You will need to pay the higher excess amount, plus other potential costs, if you need to make a claim.

Why is insurance cheaper with two drivers?

Now, this is an interesting one.

In our experience, adding an experienced driver with a clean driving record can reduce the perceived risk for insurers.

Remember:

Less perceived risk = potentially lower premiums.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.

Why wouldn’t every young person add an additional driver to their policy?

And you wouldn’t be alone in thinking this.

But be careful:

The main driver must be the person who drives the car the most.

Anything else is considered ‘fronting’.

And that, friend, is illegal.

At what age does car insurance go down in the UK?

Can I be totally honest with you?

In terms of saving money on your car insurance, one of the biggest factors is your age.

And sadly, this is not something you can control.

That being said, car insurance rates will generally start to decrease when you turn 25.

Why is that?

Well, according to the clever folks at the insurance companies, drivers are less likely to be involved in accidents as they get older and gain more experience.

This makes perfect sense, right?

And what have we learnt from the way insurers operate?

At the risk of repeating myself:

Less risk, on the whole, equates to lower premiums.

But don’t take my word for it:

If continue driving safely and maintain a clean record, you will almost certainly see a considerable drop-off as you near the ripe old age of 25.

How much is insurance for a learner driver in the UK?

Now.

If you’re one of the 750,000+ learner drivers in the UK, you’re going to want to pay attention to this section.

In short:

If you have read this far into the guide, you already know that several factors can influence the price you pay for car insurance.

Specifically, these include:

• • The car you drive
  • Where you live
  • How often you drive
  • How well you drive (telematics)
  • Your age and driving history

For learner drivers, the rules are a little different.

Why?

Because by virtue of the fact that you haven’t passed your test yet, you’re never (legally) going to drive solo.

Solo driving – for young people – is what drives up the cost of car insurance.

Of course:

You don’t need to worry about insurance if you’re paying a licenced instructor to teach you in their vehicle.

Better still:

If you’re learning to drive in a friend’s or parent’s car, the only option is to be added as a named driver on their policy.

And this, you will be pleased to hear, is not going to break the bank.

Nevertheless:

Just be prepared to return back to this article once you start searching for a policy in your own name.

That’s generally when the excitement of passing your test is replaced with the shock of how much it’s going to cost to insure you, as a newly-qualified driver.

Conclusion

So there you have it.

To sum up:

The cheapest car insurance isn’t always the best.

Trust me.

I have learnt this the hard way after more than 20 years of studying car insurance in the UK.

Bottom line?

Whether you’re a young driver, a new driver, or just looking to save on your existing policy, there are always opportunities to find cheap car insurance.

Of course:

Shopping around and comparing policies is the key.

And don’t be seduced by the prospect of a fluffy toy, cinema vouchers or other freebies.

These incentives, in my opinion, are lame and cost you considerably more in insurance premiums in the long term.

Now it’s over to you.

The perfect policy might be just a click away.

And remember:

We’re available 24/7 to assist you, right here in sunny England, whenever you need us.