Need more help?How has coronavirus affected car insurance?
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has changed the driving habits of many UK drivers. The increased number of people working from home, plus restrictions on travel and activities means we’re driving less than we used to.
If you’re going to continue using your car less, it might mean you pay less for your insurance. If you’re renewing your policy, make sure to update your mileage and how you use your car as this will affect your price.
If your car insurance isn’t up for renewal but your occupation has changed, for example you’ve become unemployed or if you now have a second job, you should let your insurer know. The furlough scheme officially came to an end on 30 September. If your employment status has changed as a result of this, you should let your insurer know.Is it cheaper to pay for car insurance annually or monthly?
Typically it’s cheaper to pay for insurance in one go. Opting to pay monthly via direct debit could end up costing you 15% extra (based on Confused.com data January - September 2021). Do I need a credit check to get insurance quotes?
When you get quotes through Confused.com, you’ll usually see ‘soft searches’ on your credit report. These are nothing to worry about. They’re only visible to you and don’t affect your credit rating. A ‘soft search’ is usually just used to confirm your identity.
The only time you’ll see a ‘hard’ search on your credit history is if you choose to buy car insurance and pay for it monthly. This is because the monthly payment is paid over a contract period, usually 12 months, and the insurer needs to check you’ll be able to cover the cost over the length of the policy.What is voluntary excess?
This is the amount you’d have to pay in the event of a claim, in addition to any compulsory excesses set by the insurer.Is my pickup classed as a car or van?
If you have a pickup and you’re looking for insurance, you’ll need to go to our van insurance halaman to get a quote. This is because 4x4s are generally classified as cars and pickup trucks aren’t. This is due to their longer wheel base and the fact they often exceed 3.5 tonnes.What is a no-claims insentif (NCB)?
A no-claims insentif (NCB) is the number of years that you haven’t claimed on your car insurance policy. Insurers offer discount for each year you haven’t claimed. The more years you have, the bigger the discount as you’re less likely to claim in the future.I have previous no-claims bonus (NCB) on a company car. Can I use it for my own car insurance?
Most insurance companies will only accept your NCB if you’ve earned it as a policyholder of a privately insured car.
When getting a quote, please enter your total NCB years as 0. It’s best to check with your chosen insurer before buying the policy to see if they’re able to accept any NCB from a company car.Does my job affect my car insurance?
Your job title, the industry you work in and your employment status will affect the price of your quote. This is because insurers use your occupation as a rating factor, and people in certain professions are seen as riskier than others. Our guide on how job titles affect your car insurance explains more. What if I can’t find my job title?
If you can’t find your exact job title, it could be listed under a similar description instead. For example, if you’re an IT manager, try entering ‘computer’ or ‘manager’ to see if another option fits the bill.
If you’re worried that your choice doesn’t describe your job properly, don’t be. You’ll be able to confirm it with your insurer before you go-ahead and buy.Will the annual mileage I do affect the price of my quote?
Generally, yes – the price of your quote will change if you alter the annual mileage.
Your mileage is considered by insurers when calculating your price. Make sure you’re as accurate as possible, as underestimating your mileage could invalidate a future claimHow can I work out my annual mileage?
If you know on average how many miles you drive per week, you can get an estimate by multiplying that figure by 52 to get a yearly figure.
Or if you’ve had your car for a year or more, you can compare the mileage on last year’s MOT document to this year’s. If you don’t have the documents to hand, you can use the GOV.UK MOT checker to find the details.Am I insured to drive abroad?
There are some rule changes you need to be aware of since the UK left the EU. You’ll need to apply for a green card at least one month before you travel, this acts as proof of your insurance while you’re abroad.
If you have a standard 12-month car insurance policy in the UK, you’ll usually be covered to drive in some European countries for up to 30 days. The countries that are covered and the level of cover you have may have changed since Brexit. See our guide on driving abroad for more information.How long are quotes valid for?
This can change depending on the insurer offering you a quote. For example, some quotes expire the same day you get them, and others can last longer.
You can find the expiry date for each quote below the annual or total price. You can find your previous quotes under the ‘quotes’ section of your Confused.com account.How do I work out my car’s value?
When you get a quote, we’ll estimate the market value of your car based on averages of the make and contoh, and age. If you want to find out an accurate idea of your car’s value you can use our free car valuation tool.How do I claim on my car insurance?
The first step to making a car insurance claim is to contact your insurer. You’ll need to provide some details for your insurer.
Find out more about how to make a car insurance claim.I made a claim last year, will my insurance go up?
Unfortunately, your insurance price is likely to go up if you’ve claimed. Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, a claim will usually result in an increased price. If you’ve lost your NCB, you’ll also lose out on any discounts that may have been applied to your previous policies.Will I be charged if I cancel my policy?
Most insurers won’t charge a cancellation fee within the first 14 days of your policy start date. But if you want to cancel your policy after that, you’ll probably face a cancellation fee.
This is typically charged to cover admin fees and documents. Find out more about how to cancel your car insurance policy.Can I add someone to an existing car insurance policy?
Yes, you can add named drivers to your car insurance policy. To add another driver, you’ll need their:
- Age
- Occupation
- Details of any accidents and claims
- Details of any motoring convictions
Depending on the driver, this might raiser or lower your car insurance costs.Can I drive someone else’s car?
You might be able to drive someone else’s car if you have a comprehensive car insurance policy. Check with your insurer to see if your policy has the Driving Other Cars (DOC) feature, as not all policies offer this. Even if you have it, this only entitles you to third-party cover on someone else’s car. So, if you want to be fully covered, consider a temporary car insurance policy, or get yourself added as a named driver.Can I insure two cars at the same time?
Yes, you can insure more than one car. Some car insurance companies offer a multi-car insurance policy. This lets you add multiple cars under a single policy, which should be easier to manage. You might also get a discount for each car you add to the policy.Can I renew my car insurance online?
If you decide to renew your car insurance policy with the same insurer, you don’t need to do anything. Unless you decide to change your car insurance provider, your policy should automatically renew.
Many car insurance companies let you review and update your policy details online. So, it’s worth checking that your details are up to date.
Even if you’re comfortable with your renewal price, it’s still worth shopping around and comparing car insurance quotes. You could cave yourself even more money for just a few minutes’ work.
You usually get your renewal notice a few weeks before your policy ends, so you’ve got plenty of time to look for cheaper car insurance. And the earlier you sort it, the bigger the savings could be.Do driving courses help lower the cost of insurance?
Some insurance companies might offer a discount if you’ve taken a Pass Plus course or an advanced driving course. These courses bolster your driving skills, which could reduce your risk of an accident. Check with the insurer whether they offer these discounts.Does lower mileage mean cheaper car insurance?
This is sometimes the case, but not always. A high mileage means you’re on the road a lot, which increases the risk of you making a claim. So, keeping your mileage in check is one way to lower your insurance costs.