Fact Vs Fiction | Insurance car myths

Driving

4 min read

Searching for the perfect car insurance can be tricky and if it’s your first time looking around for a quote, it can be pretty baffling, especially with so much insurance jargon about.

The process is not helped by certain car insurance myths which seems to only confuse us further therefore we’ve included a few below to help you sort the facts from the fiction.

First things first though, it’s important to remember that nothing is universal in regards to insurance policies, there are no hard and fast rules between insurance providers and its key to consider each policy individually and its details.

My policy will be cheaper if…

If I pay in monthly instalments

Most of the time spreading your payments across a certain number of months is costlier than paying it in one go at the time because you have to pay a deposit initially plus interest, which is added on every month to your basic payment. If it’s interest free, it will say so.

My mileage is low

Many believe that by stating that their annual mileage is low then it automictically lowers their insurance premium however this is not the case and the price depends entirely on the driver and other factors.

It may even do the opposite, some insurers could possible view someone who drives very little as not being confident behind the wheel, which in turn may increase the risk of an accident.

I only take out third-party only cover

Yes, you might expect third party only to be cheapest form of cover, as it does only offer the lowest level of protection but drivers can end up paying more for LESS cover.

This is why it’s important to be honest and try not to cheat the system as this may do more harm than good without you even realising.

My car is kept in the garage

It’s a common assumption that stating your car is kept in a safe, secure garage would ensure a cheaper premium as it’s less risky however this isn’t always the case. It all depends on your location and the stats surrounding thefts and the potential for, in your area therefore whether it’s on the street or in a garage may not make a difference at all.

I auto-renew my policy

Unfortunately, not all insurance providers reward loyalty with cheaper policy renewal prices. It’s often the case that “new” policy applicants find a better deal than their current providers therefore it’s worth getting your local insurance broker to compare providers for you so they can search the market for you before your renewal date is up.

According to a study from MoneySavingExpert, it revealed the best time to buy your insurance is 21 days before your renewal date as you are deemed less risky than if you were to wait until the day your current insurance expires.