How to cut the cost of motoring
Will Thomas, head of motor insurance at Confused.com issues advice on cutting the cost of motoring with petrol costs at an all-time high.
Will Thomas, head of motor at Confused.com says: "With the news that petrol prices are at an all-time high today, driving home for Christmas may prove costly this year. It has never been more important to make sure that drivers get the best deal for their circumstances, and take advantage of all the benefits available that might help them when it comes to budgeting.
"Some insurance providers offer extras like reduced price MOTs, free breakdown cover, or free winter health checks for your car and websites like Confused.com make it easy to compare these policies side by side. "
Mr. Thomas offers these tips to drive down the cost of motoring:
Roof racks make your car less aerodynamic, which, simply put, means it takes more fuel to move your car. Therefore, remove roof racks when not in use.
If the car is low-value drivers might wish to consider a TPFT policy, as excesses may make the comprehensive cover a pointless exercise
Avoid modifications, they can be deemed to pose an extra safety risk and therefore drive up the price
Consider voluntary excess; increasing this can bring the cost of the cover down but it is important not to pledge more than you can afford, as it may stop you from being able to claim. It is worth noting that the effect of increasing an excess on smaller, less expensive policies can be considerably less than for younger drivers who have much higher premiums. Drivers should ensure that they don't increase their excess needlessly
If possible, pay for your premium up front, as spreading the cost over instalments can lead to extra costs
Often leaving a car parked in a driveway or garage is deemed to be safer than leaving it on the roadside so this can help to lower premiums
Most insurance providers will base their premiums on the amount of miles a person drives in a year, so don't overestimate your mileage. Drivers should remember they can always contact their insurer to adjust mileage should they find themselves using the car more often than first anticipated
Check your tyre pressure, poorly inflated tyres put more strain on the engine and subsequently use more fuel
Make sure you are not keeping unnecessary items in your car, as the heavier it is, the more fuel it takes to pushChange the way you use your car's pedals. Accelerate gradually away from a standstill and leave a decent gap between the car in front to allow you time to break gently. Both practices will save you petrol and therefore cash
"The best way to keep the costs down is by shopping around for cover, as not all insurance providers rate the same way and some companies specialise in covering specific risks. Price comparison is the ideal solution to getting the best price for the most suitable cover