How to compare car insurance Northern Ireland style
Posted: May 6th, 2010 | Author: George | Filed under: Northern Ireland Insurance | Tags: compare car insurance Northern IrelandSometimes it can be so easy to let your motor insurance renew with your current provider automatically. Insurers make it so easy by sending you a fresh certificate of insurance and telling you that they will deduct the new premium by direct debit. But if you take a moment to compare car insurance Northern Ireland cover by shopping around, you could find a more suitable deal (eg. superior cover) and make savings on the cost too!
Getting ready
Shopping around can typically be quick and easy if you use a specialist NI car insurance website that allows you to access many providers.
So, what do you need to know when looking for a NI car insurance quote? Firstly, make sure that you have this information in front of you:
- Your personal information such as gender, date of birth etc, and whether you have any no claims discount;
- car make;
- age of your car;
- registration number; and
- details of any security fittings.
It is also worth reading through any renewal information that your current provider has sent. After all, you need to compare car insurance Northern Ireland policies on a like for like basis.
Providing information
Next, answer the online questions that insurers use to gauge how much to quote drivers as fully as possible. In particular, insurers will need information on the following:
- where you keep your car (garage or roadside);
- the mileage that you cover; and
- the purposes that you use it for (eg. business, commuting, leisure).
It’s essential that the answers you give are accurate. If they are not, an insurer could refuse to honour your claim on the basis that the cover was given on false information.
Comparing prices
If you are going to compare car insurance Northern Ireland cover, typically the different insurance providers will offer a variety of prices. Tempting as it may be to take the cheapest available, consider also how you want to pay for the policies. Do you need to spread the premium in monthly instalments, and if so is there an extra charge for being able to do this? Alternatively, do you want to pay by credit card and is this permitted?
Not only should you compare the price, but you should also compare the cover that is on offer. Are you looking for third party insurance, or cover that is fully comprehensive? Is hire car included in the cover, and is there any breakdown cover on offer?
Seeking discounts
The most obvious discount to look for is a no claims one. Otherwise known as a no claims bonus, proof of your entitlement to this can typically be found on your current car insurance renewal document. Providers vary in how much they will deduct for having a safe motoring history, so this could be a significant issue when you compare car insurance Northern Ireland companies.
