• Postcode - The post code where you keep your vehicle overnight affects the rating; rural areas such as Devon & Cornwall are the cheapest with the Inner City areas being the most expensive. Insurers base their ratings on claims statistics and sometimes a change of address of only a few miles xcan result in a change of premium. Cheaper Insurance premiums can sometimes be obtained if you are able to keep your vehicle off the road at night, on the drive can help and in a locked garage is even better.

• The type of cover you require - In the United Kingdom, there are three types of motor insurance cover; The minimum is Third Party Only ,This is the basic cover required by law. the first two parties are your self and the insurer, third party relates to anyone else who is involved in an accident which results in a claim ie another vehicle owner. This type of cover does not cover damage to your vehicle or Fire or Theft. This is usually the cheapest form of cover but sometimes due to rating anomalies it can be more expensive than Third Party Fire & Theft.  Third Party Fire & Theft, this is the next to cheapest car insurance, it usually provides the same cover as the above but is extended to include Fire & Theft cover. Comprehensive is the most expensive form of car insurance and includes Accidental Damage to the car & normally Windscreen Cover. Other peripheral covers such as Rugs, Clothing & Personal Effects are usually included but the sums insured are often very minimal.  Following an accident some insurers under Comprehensive Insurance will provide a courtesy car to you. Always check you insurance policy wording; comprehensive does not mean that everything will be automatically covered. However, insurers are now obliged to point out to you any significant and unusual policy   restrictions /conditions before your commit to purchasing your insurance contract.

• Male or Female - An endless debate of who are the better drivers. In simple terms females under the age of 30 tend to receive cheaper insurance quotes from insurers. Do they have fewer accidents? - The answer is normally no but the accidents they do have are mostly less severe and thus cost insurance companies less money.

• Age & Experience - The most expensive insurance rates are for young drivers with males fairing worse than females. Experience counts for a lot with insurers and basically the older you are the cheaper the premium. This continues until about the age of 65 when insurers start apply loadings again, now isn't that something to look forward to.

• Type of Driving Licence - Cheaper insurance rates are available if you hold a full Uk driving licence. If you hold a Provisional licence or a non Uk licence you may have a loading applied to your policy. Insurers usually class drivers as inexperienced until a full UK driving licence has been held for a period of 2 years.

• No Claims Bonus - For ever year you manage to hold an insurance policy without an accident, your insurer will reward you with a no claims bonus. Usually 6 years is the maximum on offer. Each year is expressed as a percentage; 30%.40%,50%.60%65% etc. If you are worried about loosing your bonus following a claim (Bear in mind it is a no claim not a no blame bonus) most insurers will give you the option of paying a little extra and having the bonus protected.

• Who you allow to drive your car  - If you are prepared to restrict the drivers under your car insurance policy you will usually receive a discount. Smaller discounts are allowed if you restrict cover to Insured & spouse only. Insurers are not normally keen to issue open driving policies as they are concerned about the car possibly being used by a un- declared young driver. If you are going to elect to go for an Any Licensed driver policy remember if you do not declare usage by young or in experienced driver you may have a problem if you subsequently need to make a claim.
  Occupation.
  
  Insurers have lists of occupations that attract loadings or may even be declined altogether. This is nothing personal but takes in to account many years of underwriting experience with various occupation classes and insures will have statistics to back up their reasons. 

• Accidents & Convictions - If you have had previous accidents or convictions, you possibly could be viewed as a person who is more likely to cost the insurer money and thus they may place a loading on your policy. With the advent of police speed cameras more and more people are receiving minor traffic offences, they still have to be declared to the insurer and you may find your self having a claim turned down if you forget to declare an incident or a conviction.

Remember, there is no such thing really as cheap car insurance, certain insurers may prove cheaper than others if all of your circumstances fit the profile they are looking for, quite simply shopping a round pays. Always tell the truth, it is very unwise to be economic with the truth as at the end of the day if you have a claim and have not disclosed all material facts to your insurer, you may find that your claim is declined