Savvy motorists cut costs not cover

Most Britons are finding savvy ways to cut their motoring costs in the recession without taking risks with their car insurance cover according to new findings released from eco car insurance provider ibuyeco.

The research found that nearly half of motorists (46 per cent) had chosen to use ‘smoother' driving methods, such as accelerating and breaking more gently, in order to save money over the last 12 months.

Additionally, a third of drivers (35%) made sure they kept the tyres pumped up with air while 34 per cent chose to turn off the air-conditioning when driving. A further 31 per cent kept the boot light off in an effort to make their fuel go further and keep costs down.

While motorists are altering their driving habits to keep the costs down, they aren't taking risks with their cover, according to the study from ibuyeco. Only one in ten (12 per cent) had considered reducing the level of motor insurance cover while of that 12 per cent, only a third of them actually made the reduction. Reducing your level of cover could prove to be more costly in the long term if you're not properly covered.

Lucy Bailey, Senior Marketing Manager at Ibuyeco, says, "It is great to see that British motorists have been so savvy in the current economic downturn by taking measures to reduce their driving costs without taking risks with their cover. Savings from even small adjustments in the way you drive can soon add up but it is not just good for the pocket. Many of these habits, such as car sharing and switching off the engine in traffic jams, are also good for the environment."

"Interestingly a quarter (27%) of motorists could still be making savings as they claimed they hadn't made any changes in their driving behaviour over the last 12 months."

While British motorists were not reducing their main cover it was the extra insurance benefits that they were more likely to cut, according to the research. A third (32 per cent) said they'd avoided adding extras to the insurance such as Motor Legal Protection or breakdown cover.

Lucy Bailey continues, "While the nation is trying to save on expense in these tough times sometimes cutting back on extras such as breakdown cover can be a false economy. A few pounds saved on the extras could cost much as £277 for a truck to tow you and your car home."