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What Car Insurers Consider When Calculating Your Premium

Your Vehicle

Your car insurance provider will take into account a number of factors relating to your vehicle when calculating your annual premium, including:

  • The car’s make and model
  • Its security features (for example, a car alarm or an engine immobiliser)
  • Its engine size
  • Its insurance group
  • Its age
  • Its mileage
  • Whether or not it has been modified
  • Whether or not it is an import car

When it comes to your vehicle’s insurance group, it’s important to realise that every car is assigned to a group from 1 to 50 with cars in lower groups generally cheaper to insure.

A range of factors are used to allocate vehicles to a particular insurance group, including the car’s financial value and performance level, the cost and availability of spare parts for the vehicle, and the average time required for repairs.

You

Both road traffic accident data and insurance claims data have demonstrated to insurers that young drivers represent a much higher insurance risk than older drivers.

In fact, data from Brake, the road safety charity, has revealed that drivers under the age of 20 are 33% more likely to be killed in a car accident than someone in their 40s or 50s.

Research suggests that younger drivers are more likely to take dangerous risks when behind the wheel, while their relative inexperience on the road is also a contributing factor.

The increased insurance risk for younger drivers usually translates into higher car insurance premiums, while older drivers often find that they’re offered much cheaper car insurance premiums – particularly if the older driver has built up a substantial No Claims Discount (NCD) for 20 years or more.

It’s worth pointing out that the relationship between older age and cheaper premiums does break down a little when a driver reaches their mid-70s, because data indicates that drivers aged 75 plus are more likely to be involved in an accident than someone who is 10 years younger.

Drivers in their 70s or 80s are also more likely to be seriously hurt when they are involved in accident, which can also prove more costly for insurers.

Your Occupation

Your occupation can impact your car insurance premiums if you use your car for work. Typically if you are spending a lot of time in your car it will mean higher mileage and an increased risk of being involved in a traffic accident.

However, even if you don’t use your car for business your occupation can still influence the cost of your insurance, because some insurance providers use it as a proxy for your risk appetite.

It probably goes without saying that racing car drivers, stunt drivers, acrobats and fire-eaters have higher risk appetites than nurses, accountants or receptionists, and some insurers may consider that this appetite for risk could translate into speeding violations or other types of risky driving.

Your Location

Car crime is an important consideration for insurance providers, so where you live can have a significant impact on whether you’re offered very cheap or very expensive car insurance.

Beyond crime, if you live in a heavily built-up area you are more likely to be involved in a car accident than if you live in the countryside.

Where you park your vehicle will also be a factor – parking the car in a garage or on a driveway reduces the risk of accidents, vandalism and theft, which can in turn result in cheaper insurance.

Your Driving History

Your driving history has two parts to it – how long you’ve held your full licence and whether or not you have any points or driving convictions on your licence.

If you’re a provisional licence holder your policy will usually be much more expensive, although it might be possible to reduce your costs by opting for temporary learner insurance instead of taking out an annual policy. Given the fact that many learner drivers pass their test in less than a year this is certainly worth considering.

If you’re a full licence holder you will likely find that your insurance is prohibitively expensive when you first get your licence, but gradually becomes more cost effective after you’ve held your licence for a few years…provided you don’t receive any driving convictions or have points added to your licence, of course.

If you are given penalty points for speeding, running a red light or some other driving offence your insurance will almost certainly be more expensive until the points are removed from your licence.

Your Claims History

The main driver on a car insurance policy can earn a No Claims Discount (also known as a No Claims Bonus) for each consecutive year they hold insurance without making an insurance claim.

In practice this means drivers can often build up a very sizable discount on their annual premiums if they are safe drivers and never have to make a claim on their own insurance.

In fact, some older drivers are able to build up a No Claims Discount of 20 or 30 years, which could amount to a 60% or 70% discount on their premiums.

Your Medical History

There are a number of medical conditions that could impair a person’s ability to drive, and if you were diagnosed with one of them you would need to declare that diagnosis to both the DVLA and your insurer.

The full list of conditions that need to be declared is fairly extensive, ranging from diabetes to alcoholism to Alzheimer’s, but some of the conditions are age-related which means your medical history is likely to be a more important factor as you get older.

Your Optional Extras

Most insurance providers offer policyholders a range of optional extras that can be added to their policy, such as breakdown cover, windscreen cover or legal expenses cover.

While these extras can prove convenient, and in some cases may be cheaper than taking out separate cover, they will usually increase your insurance premiums a little.

Some motorists may also decide to take out a car warranty, which can sometimes be taken out with your existing insurance provider as well although it will usually be a standalone policy rather than a car insurance add-on.

See our latest commentary on car insurance news in the UK including updates on latest technology developments in making your life easier when insuring your vehicles.

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Car Insurance in the UK is compulsory under the 1988 Road Traffic Act and it is an offence to take a car onto a public highway without at least third party insurance in place.

Most basic car insurance policies cover third party, fire and theft covering third party liabilities as well as damage to the car caused by fire or loss due to theft. Comprehensive car insurance which is more expensive covers third party, fire and theft but also covers any damage caused by the driver to the car being driven.

According to the Motor Insurers Bureau uninsured drivers (approximately two million motorists according to the department of transport) inflict approximately £380 million of damage on UK roads which is passed on in higher insurance premiums.

Under the law a car must have a valid car insurance policy if it is taxed or not or whether it is kept on a public highway or not and whether it is driven or not.

If a car is not being used its tax disc must be redeemed and the relevent declaration (SORN) completed to confirm that the car is being kept off public roads. The scheme will provide a new fixed penalty for people who ignore official reminders that their insurance has expired. the maximum penalty for offenders is £5,000 and an automatic endorsement of your driver license with 6 to 8 penalty points.

See below for different types of car insurance:

Type of Car Insurance

Car Insurance Features

Comprehensive Car Insurance

As the name suggests provides cover both to third parties but also to you and your own car and passengers in the event of an accident. This type of cover usually allows you to drive another car (may only be on a third party basis).

Car Legal Expenses Insurance

Normally sold as an add on to car insurance and provides legal expense cover in the event of a dispute e.g. if you are in an accident that is not your fault you may wish to claim back uninsured losses and legal expense cover will help you fund the legal costs.

Third Party Car Insurance

Third party car insurance is the minimum cover required by UK law on a vehicle used ona public highway. If you have an accident this cover will protect you from having to pay for damage to other vehicles. You cannot make a claim against your own vehicle.

Third Party Fire and Theft Car Insurance

In addition to covering third party liabilites this cover also provides financial protection in the event of damage to your car in the event of fire or loss due to theft.

As with many things in life the more time you put into something the more you will get out and with buying car insurance spending some time understanding what to look out for can save you both time and money in the long run and should ensure that you end up with the right cover.

Things to consider:

Age

If you are under 25 you will generally pay more for car insurance. For teenagers the cost of car insurance can be very high. Some insurers provide young driver car insurance schemes e.g. The Co-op and Young Marmalade provide specialist insurance for younger drivers

Voluntary Excess

To keep the cost of car insurance down many insurers provide you with the option of a voluntary excess on any claim. This is paid over and above any compulsory excess on the policy.

Gender

In the past specialist women’s car insurance providers could offer a better deal. Women generally tend to make less expensive claims than men, and so insurance companies historically reflected this in offering cheaper premiums. However, in March 2012, the European Court of Justice ruled that insurance providers cannot discriminate on gender. This ruling came into effect from December 2012.

Car Mileage

Some car insurers will adjust their car insurance premium based on the mileage you do. It is important you give an accurate indication of expected annual mileage to ensure you are not paying more than you need to.   Check with your existing car insurer (if relevant) – If you already have an existing car check with your existing insurer about adding a second car onto the policy. Some car insurance companies will provide you with a discount for including a second vehicle – often called multi car insurance.

Using a Comparison website

Online comparison websites provide a useful and easy way of getting car insurance quotes. No car insurance comparison website covers the whole market so it makes sense to use more than one source to ensure you are getting the right cover at the right price. You should also note that some insurance companies do not appear on comparison websites e.g. Direct Line Car Insurance and Aviva Car Insurance

Using a Car Insurance broker

If you are not sure what cover you need or want somebody to help you through the process there are many car insurance brokers who will be happy to help. A good insurance broker will not help you in buying car insurance but also provide support in the event that you need to make a claim.If you intend to use a broker you should check their FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) registration on the FCA website.

Providing correct information

In assessing the insurance risk an insurance company will rely on the information that you give as being accurate. Information provided will determine whether insurance is provided and the cost of premiums. It is therefore important that any information you provide is correct e.g. information on any driving offences where you have been given points can have a material impact on the premium you are required to pay. Non disclosure of such information at the time of application can result in a non payout in the event of a claim. If you are using a car insurance broker this is where valuable advice can be provided.

Cheapest is not always best

With insurance you generally get what you pay for so before you sign up to an insurance policy you should be aware of what you are covered for and what is excluded. You should consider what you need and ensure you are adequately covered. This may mean you have to pay more to get what you want.

Automatic Renewal

When you buy car insurance and you pay by direct debit some insurance companies will automatically renew your car insurance policy at the renewal date. You should receive a written notice of the car insurance renewal and any increase in the premium. If you are not happy you need to be proactive and shop around before the renewal date and cancel the existing policy before renewal.

Changing your mind

You have the right to change your mind within a set period normally 14 days from purchase of the car insurance policy and have your money returned.

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