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Can't afford my car insurance since i moved house

44 replies

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 15:50

I moved house after a horrible spilt from my long term partner. He was abusive and i finally managed to get away. Now live in a flat in the middle of town. It's not the best area unfortunately and when I tried to update my car insurance, the monthly payment has gone from £25/m to almost £60. It's a Zafira, 59 reg and not flash at all!

I'm only working part time at the moment due to a chronic health condition and can't physically manage any more hours. I need the car because there's no public transport to the location where I work (it's on a farm in the middle of nowhere). No chance of working from home because I nanny for two small kids.

I genuinely don't know what to do - I cried on the phone today. I need the car!

OP posts:
Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:52

Shop around

great new customer discounts

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:53

You do declare that used for business purposes? If you drive your charges around

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:54

How do you even nanny two children with a chronic health condition that forces you to work part time? Must be bloody difficult!

saleorbouy · 13/03/2023 15:58

Try some other companies or use a broker who might be able to get a better quote knowing the key motivators for price changes.
Could you increase the excess to reduce the premium?

DanceMonster · 13/03/2023 16:01

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:54

How do you even nanny two children with a chronic health condition that forces you to work part time? Must be bloody difficult!

Parents with chronic health conditions manage to parent.
OP have you tried shopping around?

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 17:36

I've just had a look on the comparison sites and it's not any cheaper than unfortunately.

The children don't come in my car so no need for business insurance. If we go out, i use the family car.

I manage because I have to - they're older so that helps!

OP posts:
Ariela · 13/03/2023 17:57

Ask your employers for a small rise to cover the insurance difference, so you can get to work?

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 17:59

Unfortunately we can’t magic up something affordable op. All I’d say is be honest with your employer asap

Zippedydoo123 · 13/03/2023 17:59

Are u eligible for PIP? Part 1 is easy to complete but part 2 needs the help of a specialist adviser so go to the CAB for that.

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 18:30

I have limited capacity for work with my UC, but i haven't tried PIPs because the advisor I spoke to seemed to think I'd not get it.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 13/03/2023 18:38

Have you tried direct line? They don’t come up on price comparison websites.
also whoever you have household insurance with as they’ll usually do a discount if you take out a second policy with them, or you bank may offer discounted rates for coexisting customers.
increasing your excess usually reduces premiums slightly if you’re willing to carry that risk. Likewise, remove any additional extras such as legal advice, courtesy cars etc or drop your policy down to third party only…..but again, these all comes with risks that you need to decide if you can afford to take.

Theoldwrinkley · 13/03/2023 18:43

I would suggest a broker. A broker is not a comparison website. They can probably advise you of any other savings you could look at, eg going 3rd party fire and theft rather than fully comp?....although it's not necessarily cheaper.

Brahumbug · 13/03/2023 18:58

Have a look on Top cash back, not only can you get cashback but the car insurance in cheap to begin with through them.

NoTouch · 13/03/2023 19:15

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 18:30

I have limited capacity for work with my UC, but i haven't tried PIPs because the advisor I spoke to seemed to think I'd not get it.

My niece was told the same about PIP for UC and never bothered trying to claim, she managed to work almost FT on supermarket till, but she had a very understanding boss, once she was diagnosed and it was officially classed as a disability.

Then she had an emergency ileostomy after she was admitted for a life threatening flare up that went on for weeks and they couldn't get under control. The ridiculous thing was, once she had recovered and got used to her stoma, she was off work less, managed to up her hours, was hospitalised less, off sick less, life was so much easier for her and she could go places and do things again, like taking the dogs for 2 hours walks, without worrying about her condition, she has even had a successful pregnancy and baby since....... then they accepted her for PIP 🤦‍♀️

Who was the advisor you spoke to? She met someone while dog walking who also had a stoma and helped her fill in her forms, they were rejected first time, but accepted the second time. Have you tried speaking to people on UC support groups to see if they have managed to get PIP without surgery?

Sarain · 13/03/2023 19:19

Just speak to the family and ask for more money. They will likely stump up a bit more money to keep you.

Radiodread · 13/03/2023 19:42

Could someone else insure it on your behalf with you as a named driver? With them as the registered keeper and actually keeping it on their premises of cours, I wouldn't suggest anything unlawful or fraudulent. Or there is that access to work scheme?

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 20:40

Sarain · 13/03/2023 19:19

Just speak to the family and ask for more money. They will likely stump up a bit more money to keep you.

I asked them just before I moved and was flatly refused unfortunately. Been looking at other jobs but i'm limited to what I can do.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 13/03/2023 20:45

Radiodread · 13/03/2023 19:42

Could someone else insure it on your behalf with you as a named driver? With them as the registered keeper and actually keeping it on their premises of cours, I wouldn't suggest anything unlawful or fraudulent. Or there is that access to work scheme?

This is fraudulent, regardless of how you suggest circumventing it.

However, the OP could look at getting another (older, with a clean driving record) driver added as a named driver, such as her father (if he's in the picture) as quite often this can bring the cost down. Worth getting a quote if the OP knows a mature driver she can add (she'll need their date of birth for the quote).

bloodywhitecat · 13/03/2023 20:51

Have you tried the companies that are NOT on comparison sites?

Elieza · 13/03/2023 20:52

Put your ex back on your policy. Or your mum or best friend or whatever. You don’t need to tell them you’ve done it.

Having s second driver decreases your policy costs. Try it and see. I saved £60 on mine!!

Dinopawus · 13/03/2023 21:00

Do you have any scope to drive a slightly smaller car? I'm wondering if that would help with your premium and be more fuel efficient??

MargaretThursday · 13/03/2023 21:12

Have you tried one that will put a black box in? That's what we went with (also Zafira, similar age) They fit the black box and it reduced our insurance by about half (I wouldn't expect so much drop for you, my dd had just passed her test at that point)

MargaretThursday · 13/03/2023 21:14

HundredMilesAnHour · 13/03/2023 20:45

This is fraudulent, regardless of how you suggest circumventing it.

However, the OP could look at getting another (older, with a clean driving record) driver added as a named driver, such as her father (if he's in the picture) as quite often this can bring the cost down. Worth getting a quote if the OP knows a mature driver she can add (she'll need their date of birth for the quote).

Dd bought her car last autumn and found it was cheaper to add me and dh to it than not! Not by a huge amount, but a little bit, so that might work.

PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 21:14

Elieza · 13/03/2023 20:52

Put your ex back on your policy. Or your mum or best friend or whatever. You don’t need to tell them you’ve done it.

Having s second driver decreases your policy costs. Try it and see. I saved £60 on mine!!

My mum and brother are on already!

I have been looking for a different car, but mine is paid off and not really worth much against buying a newer smaller car. And unfortunately i occasionally use a mobility scooter so need a decent boot.

OP posts:
PinkLemonadee · 13/03/2023 21:16

Also, I'm early 40s, been driving since I was 18 with no accidents or points or anything!

It's literally the area that's the issue 😭

OP posts:
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