Parking on the Road Could Be Costing You

Motorists have been warned to be aware of ten surprising factors that could increase their car insurance premiums without them realising. Experts are urging drivers to ensure all the information they have told their insurer is accurate and up to date, as factors such as driver age, mileage, and where the car is parked overnight all affect premium costs. 

Price comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk believe thousands of UK drivers could be paying more than they need to for their car insurance.

A recent survey showed that 26.4% don’t update their policies throughout the year with changes to circumstances, and 15% don’t know inaccurate details could void their insurance.

Quotezone.co.uk urges all drivers to check their policies and ensure all the information they have told their insurer is accurate and current.

Factors such as driver age, mileage and where the vehicle is kept overnight can all affect the premium cost.

Modifications such as vehicle branding, spoilers or alloy wheels need to be declared or could run the risk of invalidating the insurance policy. All drivers must check the complete modifications list and update where appropriate when finalising their details.

Quotezone.co.uk Founder Greg Wilson comments: “We believe there could be thousands of motorists on Britain’s roads who haven’t given up-to-date information to their insurance company, as over 25% of our survey said they didn’t keep their provider updated throughout the year with any changes in circumstance.

“It could simply be because they’ve moved house or job or haven’t updated their mileage, but many factors can affect and even invalidate an insurance policy if the details are inaccurate – and it’s alarming that 15% aren’t aware of that.

“We wanted to raise awareness of the most surprising points to help ensure drivers are not being caught out. It’s also important to ensure they are correctly quoted for the policy they need and against accurate factors such as car mileage and any modifications.”

Here Are Quotezone.co.uk’s Ten Surprising Factors That Could Affect Car Insurance Premiums:

1. Change to Name or Gender

Failing to inform the DVLA of essential changes, such as to your name or gender, could land drivers with a £1,000 fine. Newlyweds who have recently changed their name should be particularly aware of the implications of having incorrect information on their insurance policy. To make the change, send your old licence and supporting documents to the DVLA to update your licence and vehicle log accordingly.

2. Mileage 

The process for many insurers is the more you drive, the more likely you are to end up in an accident and affect your claims bonus. But, some insurers will charge more to those who aren’t driving very often, as they are perceived as lacking in confidence. Low-mileage insurance is an option for those who drive less than the average motorist.

2. Penalty Points

Motorists must drive carefully and be aware of the knock-on effect of penalty points. Three points on a licence can mean 5% more on a premium every year for the four years an infringement stays on the licence. Six points can push up fees by about 25%.

3.  Where You Park

Where you park your car is essential for many insurance providers. A private driveway is far less risky than parking on the street and can significantly affect your premium cost. Parking your car on the roadside leaves it vulnerable to scrapes and accidents and can increase the insurance premium.

4.  Where You Live

Living in a perceived safer area can positively influence your premiums, whereas living in a built-up area or a place with a high crime rate can cause insurance providers to charge more – as they are viewed as areas with an increased risk for accidents.

5. Your Age

Many car insurance providers consider those over 75 high-risk drivers, meaning many older drivers may see their premiums increase at this age. Motorists who are still learning, are young or are new drivers can also experience increased premiums due to inexperience and heightened risk of accidents. So, it’s essential to look for these bespoke products on comparison sites such as Young Driver Insurance and get the most competitive policy and price possible.

6.  Modifications

Modifications to either appearance or performance can negatively impact your premium cost. Expensive modifications can make your vehicle more attractive to thieves, increasing the premium. It is important to declare all changes to your provider and know that failing to update your policy with new additions can invalidate the insurance.

7.  Fronting

If you share a car with your partner or want to insure a young driver, they can be added to your policy as a named driver. Adding a partner with no claims could benefit the cost of your premium. However, you must ensure the car’s primary driver is accurate and spends the most time behind the wheel – failure to do so is illegal. It could invalidate your insurance and leave you with a criminal record.

8.  Age and Value of Your Car

The insurance group, your car model is in will affect the premium cost. Car models are grouped based on the price, model, repair costs, performance, replacement parts, and body shell price. A less expensive car can lead to a lower premium cost, as the parts are cheaper to buy, making the car easier to fix.

9. Your Job

Those with jobs which require a high amount of time behind the wheel can experience higher premiums. Jobs associated with high-stress levels can also increase prices due to an increased chance of being involved in an accident. Also, if you use your car to get to work, even to get you to the train station, it’s classed as commuting and must be declared.

10. Added Extras

Adding a dash cam or a tracker to your vehicle could be worth adding – these are price-sensitive questions and could help reduce your premiums. Also, telematics products could be worth installing if you find yourself in a high-risk driver category, such as young drivers.

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users annually find savings on household bills and essentials. Head over to Quotezone.co.uk for more information on your premium cost and the factors affecting it.