Are You Leaving Money on the Table Without Realising?
You’ve compared quotes. You’ve tweaked your excess. You’ve even binned off that optional legal cover. But what if there’s more? What if there are quiet, tucked-away factors nudging your premium higher; and you didn’t even spot them?
Truth is, some of the smartest ways to reduce insurance costs don’t show up in the usual advice. They’re buried in the fine print, wrapped in assumptions, or just brushed off as “minor”. But they might not be minor for your wallet.
Here’s a rundown of some lesser-known tricks and considerations. Some practical, some a little quirky; all worth a look.
1. Tweak Your Job Title; Carefully
“Hairdresser” and “barber” aren’t the same thing in the eyes of an insurer. Neither are “engineer” and “technician”. You get the idea.
The job you list might affect how your risk is calculated. One title might be seen as riskier than another, even if they describe the same work. Try experimenting; truthfully; with alternative wording. Never lie, but do test different phrasing if it still describes your role.
2. Add Another Named Driver (Yes, Really)
Adding an experienced, older named driver to your policy might reduce your premium. Even if they barely drive your car.
Insurers might view this as shared risk. Just don’t name someone if they’re not actually going to drive your car; that may be considered misleading. But if, say, your partner, parent, or sibling has a clean record and occasional use, it might help.
3. Avoid Automatic Renewals Like the Plague
Loyalty might be noble, but in insurance? It’s rarely rewarded. If you let your policy renew automatically, you’re putting blind trust in a system that’s rarely on your side.
The same provider might offer new customers a better deal than they offer you; for identical cover. Always get fresh quotes before your renewal comes up, and don’t be afraid to switch.
4. Park in the Right Place; Literally
Think your driveway is safer than the street? Not always. Some insurers have data that shows more claims happen on driveways than roads. It’s rare, but real.
If you park in different locations (e.g., garage at home, street at work), try different combinations when getting quotes. You might be surprised by what costs more; and why.
5. Lower Your Mileage; And Track It
If you only drive a few thousand miles a year, don’t just estimate; track it. Use MOT history or take photos of your odometer.
Policies based on lower mileage might reward you, but only if you’ve got some evidence. Some policies are also pay-per-mile, which might suit part-time drivers or second cars.
6. Remove Add-Ons You Don’t Actually Need
Windscreen cover, legal protection, courtesy car cover; all useful, in theory. But do you need every extra?
Strip out anything you’re unlikely to use. For example, if your car’s worth £500, is gap insurance really worth it? Or if you have home cover that includes legal support, do you need it twice?
7. Shop at the Right Time (Yes, Really)
Timing your quote might make a difference. Some data suggests the “sweet spot” is 20–26 days before renewal.
Leave it too late, and you might pay more. Search too early, and your quotes might expire. Strange? A bit. But insurers factor in perceived risk based on how early; or late; you search.
Final Thought: It’s Not Always Obvious
Getting a fair deal on insurance isn’t about trickery. It’s about not sleepwalking through it. A few minutes of thought; a little digging, a few tweaks; might save you hundreds. Not because you're cutting corners, but because you’re finally questioning the things most people don’t.
And once you’ve done it? You’ll never go back to ticking the boxes without thinking twice.