Motorists who cover a lot of mileage throughout the year are at a higher risk of being involved in a road traffic accident, which subsequently increases premiums. By driving fewer miles, you are lowering your chances of having an incident, so your insurer will reduce the price of your car insurance policy as a result.
Understandably, safe drivers are generally rewarded with the most competitive premiums on the market, so by completing an additional advanced driving course, this will prove to insurers that you’re fully dedicated to improving your driving skills and becoming a cautious, sensible driver.
If you want to make it clear to your insurer that you’re driving safely, black box car insurance (also known as telematics cover) is a type of policy designed to reward sensible drivers with discounts on their premiums. A black box device is fitted to your vehicle and tracks the quality of your driving, so your premiums can therefore be calculated based on how you actually drive, despite past convictions.
One common way in which drivers save on their car insurance is by upping the amount of voluntary excess they would pay in the event of an accident. By increasing this amount – for example, from £50 to £250 – it could shave a significant amount of money off your premium. Remember, it’s important to set it at an amount you’d be able to comfortably afford if ever the time came to make a claim on your policy, as you’ll need to pay compulsory excess as well.
Unfortunately, not all insurers will provide affordable cover to drivers that have a history of criminal and/or driving convictions. However, there are insurers available who specialise in this type of insurance and will do their best to provide tailored cover to convicted drivers. Some may request to get a referral from the Probation Service and HM Prison Service, which could, in turn, lower your premium.
The more secure your car is, the less chance there is of your vehicle being stolen or broken into, which is one of the main reasons why insurance companies lower premiums for drivers who have extra security features. By investing in devices such as a steering wheel lock, dash cam or immobiliser, you are likely to see lower insurance premiums.
