We’ve compiled a list of do’s and dont’s to help you reduce your car insurance premium – to protect not only your car, but also your wallet.
The below list is simple – You will find DO’s and DON’TS that may assist in lowering your existing insurance premium keeping your vehicle safe. While also keeping your wallet full!
DO: ALWAYS BUY A CAR THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
The number one thing which goes into your car insurance cost is your car! So make sure you don’t have a Ferrari when all you need is a Falcon. When it comes to lowering your car insurance the first things an insurance company will look are:
- Make
- Model
- Age
- Price
A straightforward example on avoiding over buying your car’s needs would be – You have a family of three people. Yourself, Spouse and a child. You also have a cat (let’s call the cat cruise.) With this family, you probably don’t need a seven-seat minivan or SUV to drive you all around in when a normal 5 seater SUV or car will suffice just fine. On the subject of buying a car, consider the costs involved in fuel and maintenance. You might see a very fancy European sports car and think that looks great, and look at that cheap price! Behind that cheap price are expensive and frequent maintenance costs, parts that are not only very expensive but also difficult to source. All of these things count in your insurance.
Ok, so what should you look out for?
Well choosing a vehicle that is easy to repair, find parts for and is low to medium costs is one way to save on your car insurance.
As mentioned above, most European cars cost more to repair and maintain than cars either manufactured here in Australia or that have large footholds here (think Nissan, Toyota, Honda etc)
Do: Purchase a suitable level of cover for your budget
Another key element in car insurance calculations is what level of cover you choose.
Buying a basic tier of car insurance can help in reducing your insurance premiums, but the scenarios you can claim for will be limited. This could leave you with large out-of-pocket costs – depending on the incident of course.
Do your research and choose a level of cover that matches your needs.
By thoroughly reviewing your options, you may find a policy to suit your circumstances. Compare car insurance providers on their premiums, extras, excess, product features and benefits.
Do: Choose your extras
Many policies give you the option of paying for add-on benefits to increase your coverage. Examples of car insurance extras include personal effects cover and a hire car after an accident. While these provide more coverage, they’ll also increase your premiums.
So, are these extras right for you? It depends on what you need.
Roadside Assistance, is available as a stand-alone, ancillary product through many insurers and driving clubs across Australia, and it can help you get moving again after a breakdown.
Do: Set your excess
Choosing a higher excess is one way of getting a cheaper price on your car insurance policy. While the aim is to pay a lower premium, it’s important to think carefully and make sure you choose a manageable excess amount.
Pretty simple and well known, whilst the end goal is to pay a lower premium you should be thinking about the excess when talking about insurance.
Remember that your excess is what you pay out of your pocket if you need to make a claim – can you afford $500, $1000, or $1200 excess?
Do: Drive less
Have you ever received a quote for insurance and wondered why you have set km’s you can drive?
Some insurance companies will even let you buy more km’s from them if you go over the set amount. There is a good reason for this though and its quite simple. If you are on the road less, then statistics tell us that you are less likely to be involved in an accident which goes a long way in potentially reducing your premium.
Whatever your life situation is, think about how much you actually use your car in a year and check with your insurer to see if you qualify for a low kilometre premium policy.
Do: Install security devices
A lot of modern cars come with great anti-theft measures, but unless you are driving the likes of a tesla your car lilkey won’t come with an in-built dash camera. Having a dash camera and reversing cameras could help you get cheaper car insurance. How? They help reduce the risk of an incident by giving you more tools to keep you safe or deter thieves.
Don’t: Avoid situations where thieves can win.
Always take the necessary precautions to ensure your car isn’t a target for theft. These include (but aren’t limited to):
Don’t leave your car unlocked (sounds simple but we’ve all been tempted to run into the servo)
Park where possible in a garage, locked behind a gate or better yet underground.
Choose a well-lit, secured location if you need to park away from home.
don’t leave valuables such as laptops, phones, purses or wallets in your unattended vehicle; and
Don’t: Forget to nominate drivers
Nominating drivers can help reduce your premiums and your excess. If you nominate all drivers to be over the age of 25, you can save on your car insurance premiums as younger drivers are typically more expensive to insure.
As long as no one 25 or younger drives the car in an incident, you’ll save paying the inexperienced driver and young driver excess payments on top of your standard excess. What’s more, other car policies may include an unlisted driver excess if anyone who isn’t a nominated driver was behind the wheel during an incident. Note that the unlisted driver excess can be added along with the inexperienced or young driver excess, which can sting you during a claim.
Don’t: Drive carelessly on the roads
Not only is it vital for your own safety, and everyone else on the road, but maintaining a good driving history will help you avoid paying more for your insurance. A bad driving record may mean insurers will charge you more on your insurance premiums.
Don’t: Claim excessively
You may have chosen a low excess on your policy, but that doesn’t mean you need to claim for every scratch, ding or chip. Each claim may affect your premium at the time of renewal.
Weigh up the cost of paying for the repair outright. Sometimes it might end up being cheaper in the long run to pay for repairs yourself than making a claim to your insurer.
Go ahead and claim on your insurance – that’s what it’s there for – but be smart and strategic about when and what to claim on to protect your risk rating and future premiums.
Don’t: Forget to maintain your car
Don’t be afraid to admit when you need a professional (if you think it’s time to get a service you can view our list of services here) While doing your own home maintenance and repairs are ways to save money on car insurance and at the repair shop, bad DIY work can come back to haunt you and may be more costly than going to get it serviced professionally.
Don’t: Just renew without comparing
According to a PureProfile survey in 2018, 89% of Aussies renew their policy without shopping around, even with 81% also admitting the cost of their insurance goes up each year.1 Comparing car insurance might just change that.
Reviewing your cover and looking for a better deal is something you can do every year to reduce your car insurance premiums or to find a policy that you’re happier with. Comparing what’s out there and taking control of your finances will always be one of our biggest tips on how to save money on car insurance. It can also help you determine if you’re still getting value from your current cover.
Need a hand with your car? We’d love to assist in any way possible.