14 ways to keep down the cost of your car insurance




Here are 14 ways you can reduce the cost of your insurance: -

1. Avoid making ‘non-fault’ claims on your car insurance.
Both fault and non-fault claims on your policy will increase the cost of your car insurance. You will of course have to make fault claims – but you can avoid making non-fault claims by using an independent accident assistance provider like Car Call.


2. Increasing your voluntary excess.
Increasing your voluntary excess is an easy way to reduce the cost of your insurance. But beware, even if you think you are a safe driver and can get away with a very high excess amount – your insurer is still likely to ask for your voluntary excess to paid up-front – even if you are not at-fault. The best way to avoid this is to make all your non-fault claims independently of your insurer, because it does not cost you anything.


3. Fit a Car Alarm or Immobiliser.
Having a car alarm or immobiliser fitted to your car can reduce the cost of your insurance. Look out for ‘Thatcham approved’ systems as they are the preferred types insurers look for.


4. Choose a ‘standard’ popular car.
Popular cars that are not ‘sporty’ or ‘prestige’ will attract lower insurance premiums because they are likely to be cheaper to repair. Also ‘performance’ type vehicles may indicate to an insurer that you are more likely to take risks as a driver.


5. Don’t over-estimate your yearly mileage.
The more miles you do in your car, the higher your risk of having an accident. Keep your annual mileage estimate on the low side of reality.


6. Pay for your insurance yearly if you can.
You will often pay more for the convenience of direct debit.


7. Add another driver
In some cases, adding another more experienced driver can bring your insurance costs down.


8. Choose your job description carefully
Insurers sometimes bump-up their insurance quotes depending on your job. So, it’s better to ‘play down’ your job title (but still be honest), so if your title is ‘Sanitation Technician’ it might be better to put ‘Cleaner’ instead for example.


9. How you use your car makes a difference
If you only use your car for personal journeys and getting to work, it will cost less than if you use it for business purposes.


10. Home and car insurance with the same company
If you use the same provider to insure your car and your home it may be cheaper.


11. Protect your No-claims bonus
If you can take steps to protect your no-claims bonus it can help with the cost of your future insurance.


12. Consider taking a driving course
Many insurers will reduce the cost of your insurance if you have taken a recognised driving proficiency course such as Pass Plus or an Advanced Driving Course.


13. Breakdown cover may be cheaper elsewhere
If breakdown cover that is offered as an ‘optional extra’ with your car insurance, it may actually be cheaper to get it separately with another provider instead.


14. Third Party cover is not always the cheapest cover
Try selecting different types of cover when looking for quotes as Comprehensive cover can sometimes be just as cheap as Third Party.



The disadvantages non-fault claims on your car insurance

If you have had an accident that is not your fault, our independent national non-fault claims service enables you to get top quality accident repairs and assistance but without the disadvantages of a claim on your own car insurance policy.

The key disadvantages of a claim on your own insurance are: -

  • You will probably have to pay your insurance excess

  • Your next insurance premium is likely to increase as a result of the claim

  • You may not be guaranteed a comparable replacement hire-car



We provide an alternative to a claim on your own car insurance policy. We arrange your accident repairs, hire-car and legal assistance and recover the costs directly from the insurer of the at-fault driver.

Thousands of motorists every year choose to save money by not claiming on their own insurance and using our service instead.

Compare the benefits our service to those of your insurer and you will see the clear advantages of our service:-

  • There is there is an alternative to a claim on your own insurance policy, so your no-claims discount will not be affected

  • No claim on your policy means no excess to pay

  • We and our partners recover the costs back from the at-fault driver’s insurer on your behalf.

  • We arrange the recovery and repair of your vehicle at an approved accident repair centre or at a repairer you choose

  • We will arrange for a comparable replacement hire vehicle for you, rather than something that may be too small or unsuitable

  • The solicitors we work with can recover out-of-pocket expenses or look to pursue a claim for injury compensation on your behalf



To find out more about our independent non-fault claims services - please call 02392 484 244 or make an enquiry using the links on this page.

Any policyholder can use this service, and it is your legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle. All assistance offered and information given on this page is provided by Car Call and its partners , no association or affiliation to any particular insurer is intended in any way, and your statutory rights are unaffected.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury