Sports Car Insurance

Car Insurance

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Drivers of high performance cars will almost certainly have paid high prices to get behind the wheel of the vehicle of their dreams.

Sports car insurance tends to be expensive because in theory larger engines mean higher speeds making crashes more serious and repairs more expensive, when they do occur. Age and driving experience play a role too - the image of boy racers means that anyone under the age of 25 can expect to pay a high premium for sports car insurance.

Another factor that makes cheap sports car insurance hard to find is security. Sports cars are more attractive to thieves and vandals, which also impacts on the price you have to pay to protect them.

What to look for in a sports car insurance policy

Pay close attention to the policy features available. For example, are you covered if you take your sports car on a track or compete in a race day? Many insurers are willing to negotiate an agreed value so there is no nasty surprise when you come to make a claim and some specialists offer discounts if you join a car owner's club.

Cost will be a key consideration when shopping for sports car insurance and you should gather as many quotes as possible with a comparison website. Also consider specialist insurers that may offer additional incentives. For example, providers of classic sports car insurance may offer a limited mileage policy.

How to lower the cost of sports car insurance

Sports car insurance differs from modified car insurance in that replacement parts for the vehicle should be easier to find. If you have modified a vehicle to offer greater performance it shows an intention to drive at high speeds - so limit any modifications you make.

If you have a convertible that you only drive during the summer then let your insurer know - it should be able to scale back your premium considerably.

Further savings can be made if you agree to a mileage limit, join a car owner's club and park your sports car in a garage when not in use. Pay attention to the security of your vehicle - most insurers want Thatcham Category One or Two systems installed. You may also enhance your chances of finding cheap insurance for a sports car if you install an approved tracking device.

Finally, limit the number of drivers on your policy and particularly those under the age of 25.

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Short Term Car Insurance

Car Insurance

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Most car insurance polices offer cover for 12 months, but what if you only require cover for a shorter period of time? This is where short term car insurance, also known as temporary car insurance, can be useful.

How does short term car insurance work?

Adding someone to your existing car insurance policy, such as a visiting friend or relative, can be risky because they could wipe out your no-claims bonus. However, by setting up a short term policy, whether it is monthly car insurance or daily car insurance, they can legally drive your vehicle without putting your discount at risk.

In addition, you may need to drive someone else's vehicle. By setting up short term car insurance you can cover yourself even if you only need protection for one day.

So with short term car insurance there is less risk to the standard policyholder, instant cover is available and setting up a policy is often quicker than adding a named driver.

Why would you need short term car insurance?

Short term car insurance is ideal for a number of people including:

• Those hiring a car or borrowing a friend's vehicle.
• Temporary additional drivers, which could include overseas visitors.
• Those lending a car to a friend or relative.
• Drivers who have just bought a new car and need cover as soon as they drive away from the dealership, but who haven't yet had chance to sort out an annual policy.

What to look for in a short term car insurance policy

Most short term car insurance policies are available for a period of one to 28 days. You should pay close attention to the period you are securing the car insurance for and you should enquire as to whether you can take out a new policy at the end of the term if you require it.

Temporary car insurance is available to anyone with a UK driving licence, although there may be a minimum age limit. Some temporary car insurance companies will also cover people with European or other driving licences, but don't assume that is the case - always check.

As with any standard car insurance policy you should pay less for premiums if you have a good driving record although the type of vehicle will also have an impact on the cost, with high performance cars costing more to cover than those with a small engine. For cheap short term car insurance shop around online as a number of specialist providers are available.

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Young Driver Car Insurance

Car Insurance

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Obtaining cheap car insurance for young drivers has often been a frustrating experience, due to the sky-high premiums many are forced to pay.

If you are a younger driver, in your early 20s, or have only just passed your driving test, this guide aims to help by providing tips on how to get a good deal on your motor cover.

There are several reasons why younger drivers pay more for their car insurance.

These include:

• Drivers are statistically more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test than at any other time. One in five drivers will have an accident in their first year on the road.
• A third of fatalities on UK roads are caused by young drivers aged 17 to 25.
• Young drivers also experience more theft, fire and vandalism to their vehicles, which leads to claims on their car insurance.
• Young drivers are more likely to be ferrying around a car full of friends and therefore face a much greater risk of being involved in an accident than someone who just uses their car to nip out to the shops mid-afternoon.

Cheaper Car Insurance For Younger Drivers

So how can you get cheap young driver car insurance? Much of the advice given in our standard car insurance guide applies equally to younger drivers. However, here are some extra tips that can help shave pounds off the cost of your motor policy.

• Forget about turbo-charged cars, with big spoilers, fat tyres, alloy rims and other “sexy” extras. For at least two years after passing your test, aim to drive a car that has a small engine, or is in the lowest possible insurance group.
• If at all possible, avoid being added to a parent’s insurance policy. It prevents you from building up your own no-claims bonus.
• If you are the main driver or registered keeper of the car, DO NOT insure it in your parents’ name and put yourself down as a named driver. This is known as “fronting” and in the event of an accident it could mean the claim is not paid. Moreover, the younger driver can be charged with driving without insurance.
• Consider taking part in the Pass Plus scheme. This is a certificate where a young driver who has already passed his or her driving test receives specific lessons in night, motorway and town traffic driving. Achieving the Pass Plus can earn significant discounts (as much as 35%) on your car insurance.

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Women’s car insurance

Car Insurance

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Until a decade or so ago, the issue of cheap car insurance for women drivers was not high on most insurers’ agenda.

Today, women can enjoy some excellent motor insurance deals. But as with all these things, it makes sense to shop around. Find out how to get the best rates below.

Women may still face discrimination in certain areas of their lives, but one area where this definitely does not appear to be happening is over the cost of their car insurance.

Premiums for women drivers tend to be lower than they are for men, especially up to the age of about 45. Thereafter they level off.

The reasons why female car insurance is cheaper than men’s are simple: premiums are based on a wide range of statistics which show they are much safer drivers than men.

• Government figures show that over 92% of convictions for driving offences in the UK are for men.
• Men are responsible for 98% of all convictions for dangerous driving.
• Women drivers tend to drive more slowly, carefully and shorter distances than men.
• Although women tend to have as many accidents as men, they are less likely to be serious. Therefore their overall claims experience is better than those of their male counterparts.

Cheaper Car Insurance For Female Drivers

So how can women get the best car insurance deals? Much of the advice available in our main car insurance guide applies equally to women drivers. Here are a few extra tips to help you keep car insurance premiums as cheap as possible:

• Consider a car that has a small engine or is in a low insurance group.
• If you have only just passed your test, consider taking out your own cover rather than piggybacking on your parents: you can build up a no-claims bonus that much quicker – in the second year your costs could fall by up to 30%.
• Avoid modifications, such as alloy wheels, extra spoilers or racing exhausts.
• Look out for additional security features, such as locks and immobilisers as these will help minimise your premiums.
• If you only tend to drive occasionally, look for policies that offer discounts for lower mileages. It’s also worth getting quotes from insurers that specialise in covering female drivers.
• If you are an older driver, try to avoid putting your children on your policy.

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