12 top tips to keep your car insurance premiums down

Ministers say moving all driving records online could reduce the cost of car insurance by up to £15 a year.

It will allow insurers to check licence or traffic offence details more accurately from June.

The migration, which will be finished by the middle of 2015, will end the need for the "paper counterpart" document drivers have to keep with their licence.

Some people though think that the money which will be saved by using the plan won't be passed onto drivers.

Check out our top tips for saving money on your insurance premiums.

1. Make your car more secure

Insurance companies will give you a better deal if you park in a garage or driveway, if possible.

Fit an approved alarm or immobiliser.

2. Are you are a low-risk driver?

Some insurers will give you a discount if you have taken a Pass Plus or have taken an advanced driving course.

3. Drive an average model

Choose a car that is not expensive to repair, usually a popular model.

Also adding alloys or other modifications will end up costing more.

4. Be realistic about mileage

Don't over-estimate your mileage.

The lower your annual mileage, the lower your premium.

5. Add a second, more experienced driver

Sometimes adding a second, low-risk driver - even if they don't use the car much - will bring the cost down.

But remember adding a newly-qualified young driver will increase the premium and don't break the law by pretending the second driver is the main driver.

6. Pay for your car insurance annually, not monthly

Check with your insurance company because sometimes you are charged interest if you pay by instalments.

7. Consider buying separate breakdown cover

If breakdown cover is included in your car insurance, you may find better cover for the same price or less elsewhere.

Also, check with your bank as some accounts offer free cover.

8. Protect or increase your no-claims bonus

Make sure you can carry over your no-claims bonus if you choose to go to a new insurer.

Consider paying an extra premium to protect your no claims bonus, if you haven't claimed for five years or more.

9. Buy two or more policies

Some companies offer a discount if you take your home insurance cover with the same provider.

10. Your job matters

Certain job titles attract higher premiums. For example, journalists and estate agents are seen as "high risk".

If you alter the wording of your job description, it can help to bring the price down.

Don't say anything completely inaccurate as this could jeopardise any claim you make.

11. What do you use your car for?

If you only use your car for social reasons or for commuting, say so.

Ticking the "business use" box will add to the cost.

However, if you do use it for business make sure you're accurate, otherwise you may end up with a rejected claim.

12. Third party cover isn't necessarily the cheapest

Sometimes fully comprehensive cover can end up being cheaper than third party, according to research released in 2011.

It's because insurers think drivers with riskier profiles often tend to opt for third party policies, and because they go on to make more claims it can bump up the cost.

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