How to compare car insurance quotes in the World

Sometimes it's not easy finding the best car insurance deal.
Comparing quotes from direct insurance providers, brokers and price comparison websites can be time-consuming and frustrating.
To help you find car insurance that's right for you, here are some tips on comparing policies and information on what we can offer you as an insurance broker.

What is the best deal for my motor vehicle?

When you compare car insurance quotes from several different providers, always look at the policy features as well as price.
Make a simple table listing the policy benefits, exclusions and costs for each quote. Things you might want to include are:

• the levels of compulsory excess you'll pay for things like accidental or windscreen damage
• the level of cover you'll receive against theft of your personal belongings
• whether or not a policy covers you to drive other cars
• whether a policy covers you for driving in Europe, and if it does, for how long

What about insurance price comparison websites?

Price comparison websites can save time because they allow you to view several car insurance quotes at once. Although the cheapest quote (in a list of quotes provided for comparison) can be attractive, do look closely at the policy benefits as well as the price. You may receive fewer benefits if you decide to pay a lower premium.

What does the AA do as an insurance broker?

As a leading car insurance broker, we find the lowest quote we can by comparing car insurance prices from our panel of insurers – each search for a car insurance quote is customised to find the best deal for you. This means that if you choose the AA for car insurance we'll help you to find the best deal again when you come to renew your insurance with us.
We also show you all of our car insurance policy benefits up front. So when we search for your car insurance quote you'll already know about the policy benefits you can receive.

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How to find the right car insurance- tips for women

Peace of mind is important, whether you use your car for work, leisure, or for taking the kids to school.
You want to know that if something happens to the car you can get things sorted quickly and stay mobile.
So you look for a comprehensive policy which has a 24-hour claim line and provides a replacement car while yours is repaired. But what other benefits can women expect when buying car insurance?

Replacement car seats

If you have a family, it may be worth checking the comprehensive cover will replace child car seats and booster seats if they are stolen from the car or damaged in an accident or fire.

Replacement locks

Cover which includes the cost of lock replacement is another useful benefit, and it could save you money if you are unlucky enough to lose your keys.

Personal possessions cover

When comparing car insurance policies, remember to look at the level of personal possessions cover on offer. If you carry valuable belongings, like your mobile phone, around in your handbag, then choose a policy that provides a good level of personal possessions cover. This way, providing you've locked the vehicle, you're covered if your handbag is stolen from your car on the day you forget to take the bag with you.

Help with recovering uninsured losses

Before you a buy a policy, see whether the insurance company provides assistance in recovering your uninsured losses from a third party. If it does, you have the reassurance of knowing that in the event of an accident caused by a third party, you'll receive professional help in attempting to recover uninsured losses, like your policy excess or a loss of earnings. Some policies also provide assistance to help you pursue a personal injury claim after an accident.

Protect your no-claims discount

Insurance statistics show that women drive safely and make fewer and less costly claims than men. When you get an AA quote you can protect the no-claims bonus that you've earned by driving safely.

Car security

If you can avoid it, don't park your car on the street at night. Better still, use the garage if your home has one and lock it at night – the extra security could bring a discount on your premium.
Also, insurance companies can advise on which security devices can help reduce your car insurance premium. Tracking devices and immobilisers are likely to attract a discount.

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What you get with our comprehensive car insurance

As one of Britain's largest car insurance brokers we're serious about car insurance for women.
We offer the same wide range of policy benefits at affordable prices to all drivers, but with over 300,000 female customers* we understand the cover you need.

• dedicated UK claimline available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year
• courtesy car while your car is being repaired by an approved repairer
• personal accident cover up to £5,000 (£7,500 if you're an AA member)
• windscreen, window and sunroof repairs without loss of your no-claims discount
• cover for personal belongings up to £250 (£500 if you're an AA member)
• replacement child seats and booster seats
• assistance with overnight accommodation or onward transport following an accident

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Know how to save money on your students car insurance

If you're leaving home for college or university, then car insurance may not be at the top of your 'to do' list.
But finding the right cover for your car could save you money, and may help your student loan go further.
Car insurance for young drivers can be expensive, so here we look at the cover that's available and offer some tips which could help you save money.

Levels of car insurance cover

• Third Party only – a basic level of cover for claims made against you by other people following an accident. It covers your liability for injury to others and damage to their property
• Third Party Fire and Theft – provides the same level of protection as third party only, but also covers your vehicle against fire damage or theft
• Comprehensive – provides all of the above, and includes accidental damage cover for your own car, plus other benefits such as cover for personal possessions or medical expenses

Third Party Fire and Theft is usually not much more expensive than Third Party only, but it provides important cover against fire and car theft. If you're a student in a large city then cover against theft is worth considering.

Make your no-claims discount a priority

The insurers of your parent's car may not wish to continue providing cover if you take their car with you to university. So leaving home to become a student could be the point where you switch from being insured as an additional driver of a parent's car to insuring your own car.
Once you have your own insurance policy your goal should be to earn a no-claims discount. By driving sensibly – following the Highway Code and staying within the speed limit – you can avoid making claims, which could earn a reduction in your premium when you renew your policy.

The car you drive

The age, model and engine size of your car will all affect the cost of your motor insurance. Generally, the smaller and less powerful the car, the cheaper the policy should be. When buying a car, look for a vehicle in a low car insurance group.

Think about your mileage

If you reduce your annual mileage by living closer to the college or university campus then you are likely to receive cheaper car insurance quotes.

Car security

Keeping your car off the roadside at night, or better still in a locked garage, could contribute to a lower premium. If you have to park on the street outside your your student accommodation, then park in a well-lit area and do not leave any valuables in the vehicle that can attract thieves.
If you're living off campus in an area where you're concerned about car theft, it may be worth installing extra security devices to your car. Insurance companies can give you advice – tracking devices and immobilisers are likely to attract a discount on your premium.

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Know how you could get a cheaper car insurance premium

If you're trying to find cheap car insurance it really does pay to shop around. Because while the cost of accident repairs and personal injury claims can push car insurance premiums up, competition for your premium keeps price rises in check.
But beware, some insurers may trim policy benefits to produce a 'cheap' premium. However, there are things that you can do which could help reduce the cost of your current car insurance premium.

Look at the policy benefits rather than price alone

Check whether a policy provides a courtesy car while yours is being repaired, or offers the cover you need for driving in Europe. Help with the recovery of uninsured losses, which could include your out of pocket expenses following an accident, is another useful benefit. Once you've considered the benefits a policy offers, always check the compulsory excesses before accepting a quote.

Think about your driving

If you're looking for a reduction on your next car insurance premium, then the way you drive can help. Stay within the speed limit – a speeding ticket is likely to increase your premium. And if you reduce the annual mileage on your vehicle, perhaps by cutting back on journeys or using other forms of transport, you are likely to cut your premium as well.

A secure car can reduce insurance costs

Avoid parking your car on the street at night. Keeping it on a drive is preferable, but use the garage if you have one and lock it at night – the extra security could bring a discount on your premium.
Improving the security of your motor vehicle can also help reduce your car insurance premium. Insurance companies can tell you which security devices will bring a discount. Tracking devices and immobilisers are likely to attract the best discounts.

Cheap car insurance for young drivers

If you're a young or newly qualified driver, it's worth considering the Driving Standards Agency's Pass Plus initiative. The course helps you improve your driving experience in key areas like driving at night and on motorways, and could get you a discount on your car insurance.
Learn more about cheap car insurance for young drivers

Cheap car insurance for older drivers

If you're approaching retirement and looking forward to putting the daily commute behind you, there's more good news. Once you retire, tell your insurer about the reduction in your annual mileage, which could reduce your premium.
Or for parents with teenage children who are learning to drive, it's worth encouraging them to buy their own car and insure it themselves. This will help them gain their own no-claims discount and cheaper car insurance in the long run. But if you're thinking about getting your son or daughter insured as an additional driver of your car, then if they have an accident your no-claims bonus will be affected.

Paying a voluntary excess for cover

Finally, consider how much you'd be prepared to pay out if you have to make a claim. If you can afford to pay another £100 or £200 as a voluntary excess your annual premium costs may come down.

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Best terminology explained of Car insurance

Your car insurance – we try to make buying a policy as clear and straightforward as possible for you.
But sometimes it's easy to confuse IPT with TPFT, or the FCA with the ABI.
To help you make sense of the jargon that's often used to describe car insurance, here is our guide to motor insurance terminology.

Association of British Insurers (ABI)

Many insurance companies are members of the ABI, but membership is not compulsory and the ABI is not a regulatory body.
ABI members sit on the Group Rating Panel, which recommends the car insurance group rating for each new model built to a UK specification.

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Approved repairer

A garage recommended by your insurance company for car repairs covered by your insurance policy.

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Comprehensive cover

The highest level of car insurance cover, which usually covers you for:

• injuries to other people
• damage to other people's property
• accidents caused by your passengers or a driver named on your policy
• the use of a trailer, while attached to your car
• fire damage and/or theft
• accidental damage to your own car
• medical expenses, up to a stated limit
• loss of or damage to personal effects in the car, up to a stated limit

Please note that policy features will vary between insurers, so always check them before you buy.

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Driving other cars (DOC)

Many insurers don't offer this as a standard policy feature, so make sure you're covered before getting behind the wheel of someone else's car. It's also worth noting that when it is included, you usually only get third party only cover.

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Fault claim

An accident or loss where you are considered to be to blame, or where you or your insurance company cannot recover costs from somebody else.
Remember, if your car is hit while parked, by someone who cannot be traced, this counts as a fault claim.

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Non-fault claim

With a non-fault claim your insurer is able to recover the cost of the claim from someone else.

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Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

The UK's financial watchdog, the FCA regulates the financial services industry, including insurance companies. The FCA can advise you on making a complaint against an insurance company.

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Indemnity

As an insurance policy holder you are placed in the same financial position following a loss as you were before it. For example, if your insurance company pays to repair your car following an accident, you are in the same financial position as you were before the car was damaged.

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Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)

A tax on general insurance premiums, including premiums for car insurance. The tax is included in the price of your car insurance premium.

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Insured value

The total amount the insurance company will pay out for your car if it's damaged beyond repair. This will either be the amount you stated the vehicle was worth when taking out the policy, or the current market value at the time of the claim – whichever is lower.

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Material fact

Any information that may influence either an insurer's decision to offer you cover or the premium they charge for it. If you leave out information which may influence a decision to offer cover, your policy may be invalidated.

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No-claims bonus (NCB)

For each year you drive without making a claim on your insurance you get a year's no-claims bonus, subject to a maximum. This bonus reduces the cost of your car insurance premium for the following year. Also described as a no-claims discount (NCD).

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Settlement

What your insurer pays out for a claim.

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Thatcham Research

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham Research) carries out research for the motor insurance industry on the cost of car repairs and vehicle security. The Group Rating Panel, which meets to assign new car models to an insurance group, is administered by Thatcham Research on behalf of the Association of British Insurers.

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Third party only (TPO)

Third party cover is the minimum level of car insurance cover required by law and contains no cover for damage to your vehicle. It usually covers your legal liability for:

• injuries to other people
• damage to other people's property
• accidents caused by your passengers or a driver named on your policy

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Third party, fire and theft (TPFT)

Third party fire and theft cover provides the same level of cover as third party cover, but protects you against damage to your vehicle from fire, or theft of the vehicle, as long as you're not at fault.

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Uninsured losses

Any losses not covered by your insurance policy, such as your policy excess, any out-of-pocket expenses following an accident, eg a loss of earnings, or compensation for an injury suffered in an accident.

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Uninsured loss recovery (ULR cover)

The assistance in recovering your uninsured losses from a third party, where an accident is the third party's fault.

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Underwriter

An underwriter decides whether to accept you as an insurance risk and then calculates your car insurance premium.

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6 best ways to bring down the cost of your car insurance

If you're a young driver looking to insure your first car, you probably already know that you face some of the highest car insurance premiums around.
Just a look at road accident figures for young drivers can explain why insurance premiums are so high.
What you may not know is that there are a few things you could do to bring down the cost of car insurance in your first years on the road.

 

1. Five facts about accidents involving young drivers*

1. One in five drivers has an accident in the first year of driving
2. 26 per cent of road accidents involve at least one young car driver aged 17 to 24
3. 79 teenage drivers were killed on the roads in 2009, another 770 were seriously injured and 9,500 slightly injured
4. A higher proportion of young driver accidents occur on Friday and Saturday nights
5. 57% of reported accidents involving young car drivers occur in urban areas

Being aware of the risks that come with being an inexperienced driver can help you to think about how you can drive safely and avoid incidents which may involve an insurance claim.
* Sources
AA Public Affairs report: Young drivers
DfT Road Accident Statistics Factsheet No. 6, 2009: Reported road accidents involving young car drivers

2. Earn a no-claims discount

If you drive safely – by following the Highway Code and staying within the speed limit – you will reduce your chances of being involved in an accident. By avoiding accidents you will improve your chances of earning that all important no-claims discount when you come to renew your car insurance.

3. Choose a car in a low insurance group

In the UK every new car is assigned to a car insurance group. Rated from 1 to 50, each insurance group is based on how much the car is likely to cost insurers per claim. Cars in group 1 represent the lowest cost for insurers, so the lower the insurance group a car is in, the lower your insurance premium is likely to be.

4. Car security

Thinking about the security of your car could help you reduce your premium. Things to consider:
Where your car is kept overnight
If you can, the ideal place to keep your car is in a locked garage. If this isn't an option, your car is best kept off the street.
Security devices
It may be worth considering additional security devices for your car. Your insurer can advise on approved security devices. Devices which may attract lower premiums include:

• alarm/immobiliser systems
• high security door and ignition locks
• mechanical immobilisers
• glass etching – etching the registration number to vehicle glass
• a visible VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) which can be seen through the windscreen acting as a further deterrent to thieves

Remove valuables from you car
Take the stereo, sat nav and valuables with you when you lock your car.

5. Don't modify your car

Fins, spoilers and other extras may look good, but if you modify your car it's likely to mean a higher car insurance bill.

6. Compare like with like when buying car insurance

Car insurance policies with the same price may not offer the same level of benefits. So when you search for insurance compare like with like to see whether a policy covers everything you need.
If you think you've found a bargain, always look closely at the detail, particularly at any compulsory excesses which you would have to pay when making a claim. What looks like cheap car insurance could actually be expensive if the excess is more than you can afford to pay.

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