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When your car insurance auto-renews, it’s one less thing to tick off your to-do list, but what if you’re missing out on saving money? Auto-renewal is the easier option, but it can also be the more expensive one too. You could find a cheaper car insurance quote if you shop around for a better deal. Here’s why you should consider ditching auto-renew and what you need to do to find the best car insurance deals.
Car insurance policies usually last for one year, and when they run out, most providers automatically renew them. By removing the hassle of remembering to renew, drivers can have peace of mind that they’re always insured to drive on the roads and avoid unwanted penalties and fines. Just because auto-renew is convenient, that’s not to say it comes without its downsides – it could end up costing you more money in the long run.
Your car insurance provider will send you a reminder around three to four weeks before your policy renewal date. At this point, you can choose to continue with your current provider or switch car insurance – most UK customers choose to auto-renew, but here’s why you may want to reconsider.
Auto-renewed car insurance usually has an annual price hike. Even though nothing has changed on your policy, you could end up overpaying. There are also different types of car insurance depending on what type of car you have. For example, classic car insurance is designed for older cars that are used for leisure purposes. Classic car insurance premiums will typically be less than standard car insurance since your provider knows the vehicle is only driven on occasion and is less likely to be involved in an accident.
Car insurance premiums have increased by nearly 50 per cent this past year.
Factors such as inflation, rising energy bills and the higher cost of repairing vehicles are driving the cost of premiums higher.
Although most providers auto-renew, it’s best not to assume your policy does. If you haven’t received a reminder letter, you should promptly contact your provider to check if your policy will automatically renew. When you take out a new policy, this is a good time to double-check if your policy will auto-renew or not.
Remember that just because your policy auto-renews, you are free to switch to a new provider – doing so could save you money.
The best time to renew your car insurance is around three weeks before your renewal date. The closer you get to reaching the end of your policy, the more expensive your new car insurance quote becomes.
You should receive your renewal letter from your current provider around three to four weeks before the renewal date – if you’re considering switching, this is the best time to do so.
There are plenty of car insurance providers to choose from, and you should shop around to find the best deal available to you. The best place to start is by looking at your current policy renewal letter. The letter will include your previous payment amount and your new one, should you decide to continue with your current provider. You’ll want to compare your renewal price with new quotes to establish which is the best deal.
To find the best deal on your car insurance you should:
Your insurance provider will review various details when establishing your premium. Certain factors relating to your driving history will determine the cost of your car insurance. If any of these details change, this too, could affect your premium.
Factors that affect your insurance premiums include:
You should check with your car insurance provider if you are obliged to inform them of any changes relating to the above. Each provider will have a different set of rules to follow, so it’s best to check directly.
When it comes to renewing your car insurance, there are a few things you can do to shave money off your premium.
You can use a car insurance calculator to find out how much your car insurance premium would be for the year. You might find you could save money by opting out of auto-renew and switching providers.
For some drivers, pay-as-you-go car insurance could be more beneficial than an annual policy. If you drive less than 6,000 miles annually, then an auto-renew policy might not be the best option for you. With pay-as-you-go car insurance, you’re charged for each mile or hour you drive plus a standard fixed rate, which covers your car against theft or damage when it’s parked.
You can cancel your auto-renewal policy at any time during your policy. To do this, you would need to call your provider, as more often than not you’re not able to do this online. If you are considering cancelling your auto-renew policy, make sure this doesn’t affect you being insured. It is illegal to drive on the road without car insurance.
One way to reduce your car insurance premiums is to consider telematics car insurance. This type of insurance, also known as black box insurance, allows your provider to monitor your driving style via a small black box that is installed in your vehicle. The black box provides details relating to mileage and your driving habits, all of which can help decrease your premiums.
