Until recently it was possible for insurance providers to offer women drivers reduced rates on car insurance, because, according to statistics, females are less likely to cause an accident. This situation has now, however, changed.

A ruling by the European Court of Justice, announced on Tuesday 1st March 2011, banned insurance companies from using gender as one of the factors used in determining premiums for annuities, life, medical and car insurance.

Although the changes required by this new law are not officially coming into effect until 21st December, there appears to be some confusion as to when exactly providers will raise their premiums or how they will implement the changes effectively. Naturally, insurers will attempt to keep the impact of this on consumers as minimal as possible, but there is a good chance of major changes in the pricing structures of all car insurance options being the result.

Chances are that age will become a much more important factor in setting premiums. This may affect younger drivers, or it may be a case of older drivers seeing changes. In any case, women drivers will need to prepare themselves for a potential rise in their premiums of around 25 to 30 per cent. Naturally, this makes it even more important to go and compare car insurance.

Comparison sites will explain the changes, detail what is now available and make it easier for women to obtain suitable car insurance quotes and compare the market even during this somewhat fluid, uncertain period.

Although they can expect to pay a little more, it is still possible to make substantial savings by obtaining quotes and comparing them carefully. Obtaining adequate protection to cover a vehicle and its driver is still as vital as ever, and it is important to bear this in mind when making this comparison.

Hot hatches, such as the Honda Civic Type R, are rarely cheap to insure. These small, sporty cars are generally fairly powerful for their size, meaning insurance companies judge them to be a greater risk.

It is, however, not only the make and model that affects the price of insurance premiums. The age of the driver will have an impact, as does his or her driving record – previous driving convictions and restrictions will significantly raise expenses.

Premiums can, however, be lowered by installing security measures such as alarms, immobilisers and GPS tracking systems. Keeping the hot hatch in a garage over night, as opposed to parking it on the side of the road, will also make a difference to your premium.

The type of cover you opt for obviously also influences the final cost. A policy covering only third party, fire and theft, for instance, will generally be cheaper than a fully comprehensive option -  the latter will, of course, offer far better protection, as a wider range of possible events is covered. Often, comprehensive protection also includes breakdown cover, courtesy cars and legal cover.

Because there is such a huge variety of different options, which will also be different from one insurance company to the next, it is essential to go and compare available choices.

Comparison sites not only explain the different deals, they also provide tips on how to reduce cost, as well as offering the opportunity to obtain a range of car insurance quotes from different providers. With these quotes in hand it is much easier to locate the deal that best suits your requirements.

From school runs to taking the kids to after-school clubs or their friends’ homes, and getting to and from work to shopping trips and family outings, a family car has many uses. Insurance providers are aware of this and take the mileage a family car is expected to cover each year or month into consideration when determining the cost of premiums.

Other factors influencing how much it will cost to insure a family vehicle include:

- The main driver’s age and driving history
- Whether additional drivers need to be insured
- Whether the car is parked in a garage or on the side of the road
- What type of security system is installed

Alarms, tracking systems and immobilisers will automatically reduce premiums, as will parking in a garage. Similarly, a comprehensive policy will be more costly than a third party, fire and theft policy.

To top it all, benefits, exclusions and premiums will also vary significantly between providers. This is where comparison sites come in to help. Here, available options are explained and consumers can compare the market, as well as obtaining car insurance quotes from the most suitable providers. After receiving these quotes, they can go and compare all the details thoroughly before having to make a commitment.

This comparison should include all available details, including those contained within the small print, as this is where exclusions, payout requirements and so on may be found. It is crucial to make sure that all potential risks are adequately covered.

All too often, drivers merely glance at the premiums when comparing, only to find later that the type of damage their car suffered may not be covered by their policy after all.

Drivers of cars like Aston Martins or Jaguars, Bentleys, Mercedes and Rolls Royce, Lexus, Range Rovers, Chryslers and BMWs tend to find that these prestige cars are rather pricey to insure.

Not only does the brand name have an impact on premiums, the power of these cars automatically pushes them into higher insurance groups as well. To find affordable cover for such a vehicle, it is important to go and compare a variety of options.

When trying to get prestige car insurance quotes, drivers need to provide a great deal of information; this can include their age, driving record (including restrictions, convictions and so on) and, of course, the model, make and year of the vehicle. Providers will also want to know if the driver was previously named on a prestige car policy and whether they have experience in driving this type of car. Then there will be questions relating to where the vehicle is kept overnight and what type of security measures are installed.

Security measures, which may simply consist of an alarm, classed as Category One security, or a combination of alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems, classed as Category Two, will influence the cost of premiums. This also applies to where the car is parked. A prestige vehicle kept inside a garage will be cheaper to insure than the same vehicle kept on the road. Premiums may also be affected by where the driver lives. High risk areas with high incidents of car thefts or vandalism will increase insurance costs.

Available cover, as well as exclusions and premiums will vary significantly between providers, and it is essential to carefully compare what’s on offer. This is made simple by comparison sites, where choices are explained and quotes can be obtained.

Finding a great deal on your family car insurance can make all the difference when it comes to booking that extra weekend away with the kids. It’s fair to say that we live in an age when everyone is tightening their economic belts – this is no huge revelation. So any savings you can make around the home are greatly received.

Calculating the best prices on car insurance can be a difficult and time consuming task; especially if your family has two or more cars, two or more drivers and/or several no claims bonuses to factor in. The solution is to use a price comparison site to compare the market and find the best deals for you and your family.
 
In all likelihood, more than one individual will drive a family car. The insurance policy you opt for will therefore need to reflect this. There are various things to consider when spouses share a car insurance policy; chief among these being whether either partner will lose their no claims bonus. It may well be cheaper for partners to have separate polices (with their other half as a named driver). Additionally, it is worth doing a bit of research if you are considering adding a younger driver (under 25) onto your family car insurance policy, as most insurers will charge considerably more for this. 

Another consideration to bear in mind when selecting family car insurance is whether you will need to include multiple cars on the same policy. A critical question to ask, when searching for this type of insurance, is whether multiple drivers will be included on the policy, in addition to multiple cars. You also need to investigate whether more vehicles can be added to the policy at a later date and whether all named drivers will lose their no claims bonuses if one has an accident.

Finding the right insurance for your performance car can be a tricky process. While your vehicle might be your pride and joy most insurers look at it very differently. High-performance vehicles are by their very nature in a different league to regular road cars; they are quicker, more agile and able to take the driving experience to a whole new level. As such, this class of vehicle is deemed to be a higher risk (as well as higher performance) by insurance providers.

It is difficult to fully appreciate the roar of the engine, the pure thrill of acceleration and the feeling of effortlessly taking a bend in the road when you are worried about the price of your insurance premiums.

As any enthusiast will tell you cars are about more than economics; a truly great vehicle has its own soul and that comes down to far more than just a price tag. However, that doesn’t mean you should surrender to the first insurance quote you get. There are two easy steps you can take to ensure that your insurance is as low as possible – and you are free to fully enjoy owning a performance car.

The first step to take is to go and compare car insurance online. Without getting a full view of the state of the market it’s impossible to know if you are getting the best deal. True, it can be difficult to compare quotes yourself (especially with performance car insurance) but an easy way to overcome this is to utilise a comparison site.

The second major step you can take to reduce your car insurance premiums is to utilise secure off-road parking. Tucking your car away at night in its own cosy garage will not only help you sleep better, it is a sure-fire way to reduce your insurance costs.

It is particularly important for young drivers to compare the market before purchasing insurance. Getting your first set of wheels brings a tremendous sense of freedom and you shouldn’t let high insurance costs hold you back. There are several things you can do to limit the cost of your car insurance and secure a good deal, even if you are relatively new to the road.

The Pass Plus scheme is one such measure. This test, which is taken after you have passed your main driving test, can save you up to 40 per cent a year on the cost of your insurance.

Another tip for reducing the cost of your premiums is to be included as a named driver on someone else’s policy. There are a few rules you need to obey when pursuing this course of action, in order to avoid breaking the law.

The most important thing to bear in mind is: if you are not the main driver you must drive fewer miles in the vehicle than the person who has been listed as the main driver. If someone else has claimed to be the main driver of your car on your insurance policy but is, in fact, not driving the car as much as you are (a practice known as ‘fronting’) the policy could be void and all claims rejected.

Another tip that can help reduce new drivers’ premiums is to increase the voluntary excess – generally the greater the excess the lower the premium.

Additionally, it’s worth making a careful note of your millage. If you drive fairly infrequently you will fall into a lower mileage bracket and may be eligible for lower insurance costs.

With so many factors to consider finding the best deal can be tricky – price comparison sites are a great help in this regard.

If you’re a convicted driver or have points on your licence, finding cheap car insurance quotes can be a slightly tricky process. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and if you’ve served the penalty you should be able to get on with your life. Unfortunately though, in the case of car insurance convictions can stay on your licence for several years, making it hard to obtain a good deal on your policy.

The solution is to shop around carefully. It’s understandable that you might feel ashamed of your conviction, or any points you have accumulated. But rather than bury your head in the sand and accept the first price you come across, it is worth doing some research.

Talking to insurance providers about your driving history might seem like a daunting prospect but it is not one you should fear. Most brokers will have a specialist team for providing information, advice and quotes to drivers with prior convictions.

It is certainly worth swallowing your pride and talking to an individual in such a team, as they are generally experienced at handling all manner of issues with insurance. Furthermore, there are even price comparison sites specifically designed for drivers with convictions and/or points on their licences. While most of us are aware of price comparison sites (and the useful service they provide to consumers), it is worth noting that they are still useful even if you have a black mark on your record.

Many drivers who have received a penalty automatically think they will have to give up driving because of increases to their insurance premiums. However, this is not always the case; with some thorough research and the help of a price comparison site it is possible to make savings and stay on the road.

Undergraduates are old enough to drive and have their own cars. Unfortunately, premiums for car insurance can be excessively high for young people, stretching a student’s often already tight budget to impossible limits. Young people tend to find that insuring their vehicle can cost them almost three times as much as it would cost an older person. This may seem unfair, but statistics show that around 20 per cent of drivers involved in accidents are within their first year of driving.

Young males in particular are often penalised with high premiums. This is due to the vision of ‘boy racers’ in many providers’ minds, but in theory should change, as anti-discrimination legislation prohibiting providers from offering different rates according to gender will come into effect from December 2012. While this is good news for males, as their premiums are expected to drop by 10 per cent, the news for female drivers is that their premiums are likely to rise by up to 30 per cent.

In any case, students and young drivers can reduce their cost by taking a little time to go and compare car insurance quotes on comparison sites. They can also keep the cost of student car insurance down by choosing a car within a low insurance group; fitting security devices, such as immobilisers, alarms or tracking devices; not making any modifications to their car and/or completing a Pass Plus course. It is possible to reduce premium rates by up to 35 per cent by completing this course.

If the student is likely to drive only occasionally, it may be possible to find a provider offering to fit a black box to their car. These devices track mileage, when and where the car is driven, braking and acceleration speeds. Because low mileage and safe driving are rewarded with discounts, this can significantly reduce premiums.

Young drivers often find that insuring their first car can be expensive fun. In fact, premiums often reach almost extortionate levels. While this may seem unfair, it is also understandable. Lack of experience and sometimes a little too much enthusiasm can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Naturally, insurance providers want to cover their losses, resulting in these high premiums.

It is however possible to find relatively cheap cover, even for young drivers, by taking the time to visit comparison sites and compare the market. Comparison sites offer young drivers the opportunity to get car insurance quotes from providers willing to offer them policies at affordable rates. These sites usually also offer a list of handy tips on how a young driver can help to reduce the cost of their insurance. These tips include, for example, increasing the voluntary excess on a policy. While this means paying a little more out of their own pocket if something does happen, it will lower premiums.

If a young driver can prove that he or she is a named driver on an existing policy, they may also be entitled to get a free introductory no claims bonus and cheaper premiums. Low mileage drivers usually also qualify for lower rates, and working out the expected mileage a young driver is likely to cover as accurately as possible may also help to reduce their cost.

Driving 100 miles per week, for instance, would make their yearly mileage 5,200 miles. Quotes often state prices with varying mileage, such as 3,000 or 5,000; 6,000 or 8,000 and 12,000 miles, in brackets. By taking advantage of these tips and comparing all the details of the quotes they have obtained from comparison sites, young drivers can often save up to 50 per cent on their insurance premiums.