New Year brings new savings drive for Brits

Over half (59 per cent) of Brits will look to make further savings in 2011, according to research by online insurer swiftcover.com.

Topping the savings wish-list, two thirds (66 per cent) of people in the UK intend to make savings on their energy bills this year, whilst over half (55 per cent) will  seek cheaper credit card offers.  Third priority for saving money in 2011 will be landline/broadband bills with 42 per cent of UK consumers looking to switch. Car insurance is fourth with 41 per cent looking to save money by switching and mobile phone bills (40 per cent) complete the top five.

The swiftcover.com survey also highlights how home insurance is fast becoming recognised as an area for potential savings, with over a third (36 per cent) intending to switch and save this year.

Tina Shortle, marketing director at swiftcover.com said: "This year is going to be another year for the tightening of belts for everyone in the UK. It's no surprise that energy bills are top of the savings list, however it's interesting to see both car and home insurance being so prominent in the savings wish-list. People realise that they can save money on their insurance by shopping around. With swiftcover.com they can save time too."

In terms of savings on car insurance, the majority (58 per cent) of those surveyed by swiftcover.com will look to save between £20 and £50, while one in ten (9 per cent) intendto save over £100. On average, motorists want their premiums to be £47 lower this year. Meanwhile, one in five (21 per cent) would be happy with a saving as small as £20 on their home insurance.

Shortle continues: "Shopping around for the right car insurance is important if you want to make the biggest saving possible. However, home insurance hasn't traditionally been an area where people switch to save, purely because it's perceived to be so difficult. It's good to see so many people (36 per cent) realising that there are huge savings to be made by switching home insurance."

swiftcover.com launched a new home insurance product in July 2010 which makes buying your cover quick and easy. Customers can see exactly what they are covered for and save money by not paying for what they don't need.