CAR insurance premiums are set to soar due to rising prices of second-hand cars and a shortage of repair parts, experts have warned.
Here are my top tips for getting a reduction.
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GET IN EARLY: Shop around, and do it three weeks before your policy is due to start.
Early shoppers are seen as more careful than ones who wait until the last day to renew. Savings can be around £500, says consumer website moneysavingexpert.com.
SAVING: £500
DIG DEEP: A typical motorist can save more than £200 by paying annually rather than monthly, according to moneysupermarket.com.
SAVING: £200
CHOOSE YOUR WORDS: How you describe your job can affect your insurance premium.
For example, saying you work in software rather than computer games can save £100.
Just don’t lie, as it might invalidate your insurance.
SAVING: £100
CHEAPEST BY FAR: Compare the mileage figures in your car’s service record with the current total to see how far you drive a year.
Lower your policy’s mileage if you’re driving more than you thought, or investigate specialist pay-per-mile policies, which can save some drivers up to £750, says insurer bymiles.co.uk.
SAVING: £750
ADD YOUR DAD: Adding someone with a good driving history to your policy will lower your premiums, particularly if you’re a young driver, as insurers will assume that responsibilities are shared.
Comparison site money.co.uk found savings are up to £476.
SAVING: £476
BLACK BOX BARGAINS: Telematics, or black box policies — aimed at young drivers and those with motoring convictions — involve installing a tracker in your car to monitor how well you drive.
Some 54 per cent of drivers aged 17 to 24 could save with a black box rather than a regular policy, typically saving £848.
SAVING: £848
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
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MIX it up with this Kenwood food processor, down from £99.99 to £49.99.
SAVE: £50
Cheap treat
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MORRISONS has launched a 3-pack of festive doughnuts in gingerbread, snowman and festive sprinkle varieties.
A mixed pack is £2 – less than 70p per doughnut.
Top tips
BUY a real Christmas tree from Ikea for £29 and receive a £20 voucher to spend at the retailer between January 10 and February 13.
Head to your local Ikea store – except for Ikea Manchester and Ikea Leeds – and pick up the Abies Nordmanniana Christmas tree. Max height 170cm.
Top swap
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CHRISTMAS jumper day at school?
Grab this kids’ red reindeer sweater from Jojo Maman Bebe, £20, or a similar one for £6.40 from Peacocks.
SAVE: £13.60
Savers’ little helper
GRAB a pack of Walkers “Taste Icons” crisps to get a voucher for £5 off a £20 spend at thousands of local restaurants until February 15.
To redeem it, fill in the form at local.walkers.co.uk and enter the code found on your packet, then select a local participating restaurant near you and you’ll be emailed a QR code voucher.
Shop & save
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ICELAND has launched a combo of Yorkshire pudding with pigs in blankets and mac ’n’ cheese. Two for £5 or £3 each.
SAVE: £1
Hot right now
TOY seller Bright Minds has 25 per cent off its bestsellers, including a talking microscope (£49.99) and pressed flower art kit (£9.74).
Budgeting expert reveals the four things she’s stopped buying in order to meet her financial goals
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