Ensure your insurance provides value

Insurance is a vital product for Brits but there is no need to pay too much for it. Price comparison site moneysupermarket.com reveals ten simple steps to save a typical family over £1,300 each year.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "While insurance is essential for financial security and peace of mind, it is important you only opt for a level of cover relevant to your needs and at the best available price. You can trim your outgoings by shopping around and take several other easy steps to further reduce your premiums. Across the sweep of standard insurance products, you could save over £1,300 this year alone."

Motor Insurance:

1 – Add an older driver – save £258.
2 – Shop around – save £202.
3 – Increase your voluntary excess from £100 to £500 – save £69.
4 – Add a partner – save £18.
5 – Halve your mileage by car-pooling with a colleague – save £9 on insurance.
Total = £556.

Home Insurance:

6 – Pay annually instead of monthly – save £17.
7 – Shop around – save £80.
Total = £97.

Payment Protection Insurance:

8 – Choose the best deal from an independent provider rather than accepting the standard deal from your loan provider – save £446.

Life Insurance:

9 – Give up smoking – save £136 on insurance.

Travel Insurance:

10 – Choose the best deal from an independent provider rather than accepting the standard deal from your travel agent – save £68.