The Money Saving Expert founder claimed that the process is ‘trial and error’, but some choices may work in your favour
Martin Lewis claimed these three choices matter with car insurance(Image: ITV)
Car insurance is expensive for young or new drivers because they are statistically more likely to be in accidents, leading insurers to classify them as high-risk. Anyone deemed high risk by an insurance company will need to pay accordingly until they build up proof of their road safety.
Insurance is legally required for every driver before they can set out on the roads in the UK. Having a policy in place will protect you in the event of damages, accidents and injuries, but the cost of these policies will vary from person to person, with two people rarely paying the same amount for a similar service.
Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis recently claimed that drivers wanting to save a bit of money could make some specific choices when renewing their insurance to see if the price drops a little. He specifically aimed this advice at younger or new drivers, who are often hit with higher premiums during their first few years on the road.
Speaking on his ITV show earlier this week, he said that most people will make incorrect assumptions when trying to lower their insurance rates. But making three different choices could make a major difference and potentially even lead to some discounted rates.
Martin claimed that some of the better options for people to put in might seem “counterlogical”, but suggested that’s often the case when dealing with car insurance. What might seem “perfectly sensible” to get a cheaper rate could actually be doing more harm than good for your finances.
Picking the right kind of cover is important
Martin said: “You would think that third-party insurance always wins, but I’d check comprehensive too. By selecting comprehensive insurance, some insurers perceive you to be a lower risk than the type of person who’d go for third-party insurance.
“And, even though third-party insurance is lesser cover, the fact that you are perceived as a lower risk can, in some cases, make it cheaper – I’m not saying it always is, it’s a trial and error, I’m just saying don’t assume third-party is cheapest, bizarrely.
Third-party insurance is the lowest level of insurance cover offered in the UK, only covering damage to other people’s cars or property, or injuries to other people. Comprehensive cover includes this and extends to accidental damage, even if you’re at fault, as well as to damage caused by fire or theft.
Who you add to the policy makes a difference
Martin claimed: “Let’s imagine that… I am not a particularly good driver, with not a particularly good record. If I add [another driver] who could legitimately drive my car, and [they’ve] got a good record, they don’t add on top. We take an average risk profile, so my price can actually be lowered.”
He suggested that people with parents or relatives who have a good reputation on the road (no claims or convictions) might bring down the cost of a new policy by reducing the ‘risk’ that insurers automatically assume new drivers have. The finance expert said: “Try mum, dad, auntie Flo, whoever it is. You might try two or three of them. You can massively bring down the price, especially if you are high risk [for insurers], try adding an extra, legitimate and responsible driver.”
With this, Martin warned against adding someone as the main driver who isn’t. This is known as ‘fronting’, which is illegal and can also invalidate your policy. Use someone who could legitimately drive your car if you gave permission.
Changing your job title might even bring the bill down
Whilst this was described as being “a bit more trivial”, what you tell the insurance company about your job might add to or lower your risk level. Martin showed on his ITV show that a ‘beautician’ was more expensive than a ‘beauty technician’, despite the job titles being almost identical.
Martin said: “All of these can vary with different firms. So, if there is something in your job and if the title of your job is one that could legitimately call yourself something else, there are tools online. As long as it’s legitimate, never lie, that you can choose what your job title is may even affect the price. Isn’t that weird?”
People can check the free tool on Martin’s MoneySaving Expert website here. They need to enter how much they already pay for a year of insurance alongside their job title, and it will offer alternative job titles that best match their profession. In some cases, it can slash the bill by more than £100 a year.