Specialist Car Insurance

There are a number of factors that could affect your car insurance premium, for example age and gender, how often you use your car and what you use it for. Many UK insurers offer specialist car insurance for lower risk groups, which can be a lot cheaper than standard cover, while others offer car insurance for those that do not fit the standard mould. Types of specialist car insurance include:

Students car insurance/young driver car insurance: Many car insurance companies impose higher premiums for young drivers; they statistically have more accidents and are therefore seen as a much higher risk than older, more experienced drivers.

Due to their insurance premiums being so high, young drivers are often forced to buy old cheap cars because they can't afford a new vehicle; older vehicles are generally not as safe to drive, which pushes premiums up further. But there are some insurers, like Young Marmalade car insurance, that realise this knock on effect and can offer better deals to young drivers by doing things like combining the purchase of a brand new or nearly new car with insurance, which can bring the cost down for its customers.

Older drivers' car insurance: Even if you have been driving for years and have built up a no claims discount, some insurers do not reward this. It may help to buy specialist car insurance, for example over 50s car insurance; this type of cover rewards older motorists for their careful driving.

Ladies' car insurance: Research shows that women are safer drivers than men and have fewer accidents; this is often reflected in the price. It may be cheaper to buy women's car insurance from a specialist car insurance provider than a standard insurer, and they sometimes offer optional extras such as handbag cover.

Convicted driver car insurance: If you have been convicted for speeding, drink driving, dangerous driving or any other driving-related offences, this could seriously raise the cost of your insurance. It might be worth getting a specialist car insurance quote for convicted drivers rather than using a mainstream provider.

4x4 drivers' car insurance: Your premium is likely to be much higher if you drive a larger vehicle designed for off-road, such as a Jeep or Land Rover. However, some specialist insurers will offer a tailored policy depending on factors such as mileage and vehicle value.

Modified car insurance: Some people spend thousands of pounds modifying their vehicle to improve various factors such as performance, appearance and sound. But this can actually be a hindrance when it comes to insurance as some car insurance providers do not insure modified vehicles at all, while others do so at an elevated price, so you might be better off using a specialist insurer.

Classic car insurance/sports car insurance: Driving around in a luxury car may give you a real buzz, but finding out how much it costs to insure expensive cars such as Porsche, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar models may be less pleasurable. Specialist car insurance could offer reduced rates, although premiums are likely to remain higher than for standard vehicles.

Multi car insurance: A relatively new development in the car insurance industry, multi car insurance allows you to insure more than one vehicle on the same policy, which could save you money and gives you synchronised renewal dates so you don't have to remember when each one is due. It also means you get the same cover for all of the cars, which can include any no claims discounts earned.

Short term car insurance: Ideal if you only need very short-term cover, even at short notice, for instance for a specific journey. It provides cover for a temporary driver or a temporary vehicle, and means you do not have to commit to a long-term policy. For this reason, it can save you money, but, if possible, it might work out cheaper to be added to a policy instead, so compare prices first. You can also get Pay as You Go car insurance, which usually allows you to pay month by month and some provider even offer daily car insurance.

Some specialist car insurance providers are able to offer cheaper deals because drivers are statistically cheaper, such as women and older drivers. However, many other non-standard drivers may find that they can only obtain insurance for a classic or modified car from a specialist car insurance company, especially if cost is an issue.

It is worth obtaining quotes from a range of different car insurance providers before buying a policy, particularly if you fall into one of the above categories.