Drive cheaper: here’s how to lower your car premium effortlessly

Know what you are insuring

Before you start car insurance, look at the daily value and age of your car. If your car is less than six years old or still has a high new value, then all-risk offers protection against almost all damages. As the car gets older, switch to limited casco or only WA. This way you no longer pay for the repair of your own parking dents that exceed the daily value. In addition, check whether you pay more premium than ten percent of the new value on an annual basis; if so, downgrading is almost always more advantageous.

Choose the right extras

Many drivers blindly take all kinds of additional coverages. Ask yourself if traffic legal expenses insurance is already in your package policy or through family insurance. Double coverage costs money and provides nothing extra. The same goes for roadside assistance: if you already have membership in a mobility club, delete this option from your car insurance policy. Also look critically at no-claims protection; one claim in five years may be cheaper than years of protection premium.

Play with deductible and mileage

Insurers reward risk reduction. If you park overnight in a locked garage, report it and benefit from five to 10 percent discounts. If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year, choose a low-mileage category or pay-per-use policy. A higher deductible further lowers the premium; set an amount you can pay out of savings for small claims. In practice, a step from 150 to 300 euros deductible quickly saves 15 percent.

Accumulate and maintain claim-free years

The longer you drive claim-free, the lower the premium. If you start out with no history of your own, find out if you can transfer the years of a family car into your name. Some insurers let parents carry over accrued years when selling a second car. Paying for a minor scratch yourself is sometimes more economical than claiming; one report can cost five years of discount. Record your claim-free ladder in a reminder and ask for confirmation from the insurer each year.

Compare, negotiate and stay alert

Premiums change all the time. Use multiple comparison sites, but also check the insurer’s own Web site; sometimes an exclusive online discount applies there. If you have a competitive quote, call a competitor and ask them to match. Put an annual calendar note on the expiration date of your policy to compare again. A move, a change of job or a new security score for your car can positively affect the premium. This routine means you never pay for your coverage longer than necessary. With attention to your driving profile, coverage and annual review, you keep costs in check. This leaves money for more enjoyable trips; from weekend getaways to road trips in the sun. Choosing the smartest insurance is not higher math, just a matter of deliberate steering.