Car insurance can be an expensive business, especially for young or new drivers, or those returning after a ban. There are however some simple ways to make sure you're only paying as much as you absolutely need to.
Get the Right Policy
Firstly, get the right kind of policy. If your car isn't worth a great deal, it's probably better to only insure for 3rd party, fire and theft. With a comprehensive policy, see if some options can be left off to reduce the premium - for example, you probably have no need for £500 worth of audio equipment cover if you only have a simple car radio system.
Car Security
If you fit a good car alarm system you'll probably be able to get your premiums reduced, and the same will be true if you park your car in a driveway or garage rather than at the side of the road.
No Claims Discount
Most policies reward drivers who don't claim by giving them a discount for every trouble-free year. Make sure your policy has a high upper limit on bonuses, and you may be able to save up to 65% in time. Also see if you can find a 'rapid bonus' policy which builds up your discount more quickly in the early years of the policy, saving you money more quickly.
Higher Excess
Insurance policies feature something known as 'excess', where you are resonsible for the first £xx worth of any claim. While it might seem desirable to have a low excess level, choosing a high one means you'll have to pay a slightly higher proportion of any claim value, but this will be offset by lower monthly premiums.
Lower Mileage
The more you drive in a year, the more expensive your insurance will be. While you probably can't do that much to reduce your mileage, you CAN make sure that the figures you supply to the insurance company are accurate, and you're not being charged for mileage you don't drive.
Named Drivers
It's generally more expensive to insure a vehicle for any driver, than it is to have just one or two specific drivers named on your policy. If your car isn't likely to be used by anyone else (who may be covered under their own policy in any case), then lower your costs by restricting who the policy covers.
Compare Prices and Buy Online
Finally, and this may be obvious in this day and age, but buying your insurance online can save you a lot of money. The internet makes it easy to shop around and compare prices. If you simply renew your current policy, you're probably not getting the best deal you can.