Motoring News

Potential car purchasers are being encouraged to think of money saving ways to pay less every year for insurance, car tax and fuel by choosing their model wisely.

This March weekend promises to be one of the busiest for motor dealers as the "08" plate is introduced.

Car buyers need to be aware that every car is given an insurance rating of one to 20 by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which is dependent upon how expensive your car is to repair, how powerful and how secure it is. Rating group 20 would be a high powered or very expensive model.

By shopping around, before taking delivery of the car, customers are encouraged to get several quotes for their new vehicle.

Tina Shortle, marketing director of swiftcover.com, comments: "With household bills rising ever higher, it seems crazy that UK consumers should willingly waste over £1.9 billion by sticking with the same old insurer year after year.

Other tips to save money on car insurance include adding a partner (especially if your partner is female, since statistically they are considered safer drivers) and checking that the "extra" benefits which are added to your policy are worth the additional premium.

Increasing the excess amount which drivers would pay after an accident will save money.

Parking off-road on a driveway, or in a garage, and adding security such as immobilisers and alarms will also reduce premium costs.