Shopping for Car Insurance in the UK

Just like with shopping for just about everything else in the UK, finding the best deals on car insurance is as quick and easy as the click of a mouse. The Internet has brought the world to your fingertips, and it's about time you began to utilize it, especially when it comes to items like car insurance that require comparison shopping in order for you to get the best deal. With this in mind, here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for car insurance in the UK.

First things first: One item of consideration that's more important than price is service. If you don't believe me, think about this: what good would the best policy with the best price be if your claim took months to process? What if your dozens of phone calls in which you left messages go unreturned? A delay in any shape or form is an inconvenience for you, and any inconvenience that you have to deal with will eventually cost you money. This item brings us to the next one on our list: price.

Since price is second on our list, be aware of hidden costs and fees that can be attached to some policies. If one policy seems so expensive that there must be something wrong, you're probably right. Don't be afraid to ask any potential insurer for an offer for insurance in writing so that you can easily compare and contrast all of your options.

Be sure to inform your potential insurer of all motor vehicles that you currently own and operate to make sure that your prices will remain as low as the initial quote. If your auto has extra options like anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device, be sure to mention it. If your auto has letters after the name, like a Corolla LE, be sure to mention the letters, for they will have an impact on the final cost.

Finally, always buy your auto insurance from a company that you can trust, one that you've heard of and have heard good things about. One or two disgruntled customers can make their opinion known to the world much quicker than 100 happy ones, so you'll need to do a bit of research if you have any doubts.

Of course, with so many potential insurers out there begging for your business, there are scores of Internet sites that will do the comparison and price shopping for you. These sites offer their services for free, as the insurer pays them on commission when you choose their policy. They will relay all pertinent information to you and you pick the policy that suits your needs the most, all without doing anything more than clicking a mouse.

By Mary Simone