Insurance Tips (£186 for me this year, woohoo!)

[Mentalpen]

AMS so what would happen if its insured for the street and its parked in the garage?

 

[james_h]

Great to read through all the posts and it seems that more people than I thought are getting charged more for parking a car on a drive or a garage which amazes me!... ..however I still can't believe this is the majority of insurers or policies.. I have never ever come across this or know anyone who has.

So.... I took the time this week to do a bit of research, speak to a few people, and get a few quotes my self as my insurance is due next month...


I called Aviva Friday (http://www.aviva.co.uk/) who used to be (not sure if they still are) one of the biggest UK Motor Insurers.

I went through the usual quoting system, usual questions etc etc...when asked where will be vehicle be kept over night, I said a locked garage. I also said can you quote me for parking on the road as well. Suprise suprise it was nearly £100 cheaper parking in a secure garage (so attached to the house).

I also did an online quote on Elephant (http://www.elephant.co.uk/). I won't bore anyone with the details but again cheaper - this time around £80.

I also remember from my current insurance Autonet (http://www.autonetinsurance.co.uk/) that is was cheapest to park in a locked garage overnight..hence why I have it on the cover...

I spoke to an old friend who used to work at an independent brokers.. he was amazed I was even asking him the question. Needless to say he laffed at me.


I did a bit of internet research as well.. to see what the advice of of other bodies was.

1)
• Fit an alarm or immobiliser
• Your garage is for your car – use it!
• Get windows security etched

SOURCE: http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/dudley/documents/VC-Annual-Review.pdf
I used this as West Midlands is where I live and the site is obviously reputable and run by the UK Police Authority.

2)
The street outside the home is where the
highest volume of incidents occurs – 43 per cent in the 2005/06 BCS.

SOURCE: http://avcis.police.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CarTheft_Index_2006.pdf
Car theft Index 2006 - latest I could find.

3)
Keeping the car properly secured when not in use is vital. If you have a garage then use it

SOURCE: http://www.car-theft.co.uk/preventing-car-crime/

4)
Plus, as theft and accidental damage add a wedge to insurance costs, if you leave your car in a garage or driveway it's a big theft deterrent and means accidental damage is less likely.

SOURCE: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance
Interesting as this site has adverts on for nearly every UK motor insurance....

5)
Watch where you park
More than half of vehicle thefts occur at night, so keep your car in a securely locked garage overnight. If that's not possible, at least try and park the car off the road, perhaps in a drive way.

SOURCE: http://www.moneysupermarket.com/car-insurance/money-saving-tips/



*Can I just also add that nearly every statistic I looked at put vandalism and accidental damage to a car parked on a road/car park top of the claim list (after actual driving damage).

I think the breaking in to the home to steal the keys has gone up due to the complicated anti theft systems in place on modern cars... but again this is a small amount of claims that insurers receive - the highest amount was the above. One of links stated that the odds for having your car actually stolen worked out at once every 107 years!

Also I'm sure post code may make a difference.. maybe in a city or build up area where damage parked on a busy street is more likely a garage works out cheaper..if you live in the middle of Scotland maybe it's less as less traffic/people etc.

 

[Austin-182]

Also telling your insurance company that you are gay with your own dad makes it really cheap.....

When i was 18 i did my insurance online and thought "spouce" meant son. My insurance at 18 was £160 when most people were paying at least £1000. It was only renewal time the next year over the phone when the person confirmed all details on the policy that myself and my dad were not a married gay couple.

True story.

I do find it very discriminating though, 18 year old has to pay £1000+ yet gay 18 year old has to pay £160

 

[Tom]

Good work James. I also got a quote for Juliannes KA and we tried to see if there was a difference and secured car park was cheaper than road parking on all occasions.

When i was 18 i did my insurance online and thought "spouce" meant son. My insurance at 18 was £160 when most people were paying at least £1000. It was only renewal time the next year over the phone when the person confirmed all details on the policy that myself and my dad were not a married gay couple.

Haha quality!

 

[greeni197]

I find all this insurance a bit of a hit and miss.. For example i have found if you apply for insurance at the end of the month the cost is always a lot lower than at the start of the month but yet other months will be like bingo and they just throw any number at you.

But I'm happy as at 22 with 4yr no claims im paying 745.82 on the raider
The van and the 172 on the other hand are 1200 and cheapest quote of 954

 

[Nick.]

Ive just put my Clio on a multicar policy with my 17 year old sisters toyota aygo and my mums honda jazz and its dropped my insurance down from £1100 to £550 a year! Im 21 with 4 years no claims

 

[Mentalpen]

Ok just done 3 quotes.

I'm with aviva already so i used them, also they don't care about factory mods so its easier to quote.

200 & 265 Trophy with multi car discount.

Both On Road.

£578

Both On Drive

£644

Both In Garage (current policy)

£697


I guess its down to where you live.

 

[andyr27]

i always thought that if its in the road the more chance of it been spotted being nicked - whereas on a drive / garage they can take some more time getting in and away

 

[Dylan]

My new wrap and cup spoiler pack put my premium up £28. I didn't think that was too bad for the peace of mind. Thought I'd best tell them I'd changed it seeing as though i wrote off my 106gti and 172 cup, and learned from my mistakes. Esure for the win!

 

[danny197]

Just got a quote for 17,000 for my renewal!

 

[Mentalpen]

just got a quote for 17,000 for my renewal!

£17,000?

 

[Ams]

AMS so what would happen if its insured for the street and its parked in the garage?

I wouldn't like to say mate as I don't work there anymore

An important detail I forgot to add is it depends on the statistics of your area/postcode. If residents, current and past, in your area have made more claims for "garaged" cars than street cars then your garaged quote will be higher or almost equal to the street parking quote.

 

[Mentalpen]

I live in a small (700 odd houses) village so I guess more people are likely to claim from a garage than street.

I don't know one single house on our side of the village that parks on the street.

 

[atlinf]

I've just read this, and going through the cash back site is going to save me £500!! THANK YOU!

 

[Mrred32]

Thanks for the tips guys. Mines not up till next month but I'll probably be moving away from Churchill. 23 with 5 years no claims and 1300 on a 197 I think is a little excessive:S

 

[jakehewitt]

21, 3 years no claim £880 for 197
Was pretty happy

 

[Gam]

Mine was £500 and its my first 197.

23, 4 years NCB and got my dad as a named driver only.

 

[Jcs]

197 cup - 7 years no claims - Direct line - £400

Mainly because I was mid policy, had other offers of about 350 but after cancelation fees etc tisn't worth it.

 

[Gareth_197]

Just got a really good deal with mine this month, 21, 4 years ncb on the admiral multi car policy, 197 for £650.

Last year it was over £1100 so since iv hit 21 its basically halved.

 

[Chrisgti6]

Just got a really good deal with mine this month, 21, 4 years ncb on the admiral multi car policy, 197 for £650.

Last year it was over £1100 so since iv hit 21 its basically halved.

If that's with you as the main/only driver then it's a very good deal. My 21 year old brother is paying £1500 for a Cabby 306.