A car insurance policy is a legal requirement for all UK motorists. It’s a necessary expense, but safe and cautious motoring can make getting insured cheaper.

Safety and cheaper car insurance go hand in hand as insurance companies work out your premium on the risk of you making a claim, and them having to pay out.
There are a number of factors which are taken into account to determine your level of risk.
These include:

Your age
Drivers who are below the age of 25 pay higher premiums, particularly if they’re male. This is because the likelihood of being involved in a road traffic accident is higher, due to a lack of experience on behalf of the driver.

Your driving history
Your record on the road will contribute a great deal to the price you eventually pay for your insurance. If you have a history of making insurance claims due to accidents or driving offences like speeding, driving without due care and attention or worse you will find insurance more expensive to obtain.

Your car
The sort of car that you drive will also determine the price of your policy. Most insurers work to the 40-group system devised by Thatcham. The grouping is worked out by taking into account factors including the car’s performance, value and availability of parts. The higher the category the car falls into, the more expensive it will be to insure. Faster cars are considered to be more dangerous. Some insurers opt to utilise their own grouping systems, but they generally work on the same principles.

Your personal circumstances
Your occupation and where you live will also have an impact on your policy.

Obtaining cheaper car insurance
There are a number of methods you can enlist to lower the price you pay for your car insurance policy. Some may require an initial investment, but could prove worthwhile in the long run.

Drive safely
Keeping on the right side of the law will help you achieve a cheaper car insurance premium. So keep to the speed limit and always drive with care and caution as to avoid speeding penalties and accidents. If you don’t have to call upon your insurance, you will be eligible for a ‘no-claims’ discount, which can dramatically reduce the cost of a policy.

Choose your car carefully
By choosing a car with modest performance, you could make yourself eligible for a cheaper insurance than a similar, faster model. Likewise, diesel-powered cars are frequently cheaper to insure than their petrol counterparts.

Invest in security
By utilising security devices and measures approved by Thatcham, you could make your car safer by reducing the chance of it being targeted by thieves. You could fit a steering wheel lock, an alarm and immobiliser, or even a tracker, which will allow your car to be located if it is stolen.

Consider your excess
Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess – the contribution you make towards a claim – you can put yourself in the frame for cheaper car insurance. But always be certain that the sum you agree to is one that you can easily afford.

Consider your mileage
Agreeing to drive within a fixed mileage will reduce your chances of being involved in a road traffic accident, and has the potential to give you a cheaper insurance deal.

Shop around
Searching the insurance marketplace for the best deals is a good way of obtaining a cheaper policy. You could use a comparison website, which will allow you to compare and contrast the prices and features of car insurance from many different companies by just entering a few details.