To think car insurance prices are insane and it’s unfair?

[WaterfallGlitter6]

I’ve had my license since I was 18 and I’m now 21 (22 next week). The insurance cost (£2,600 a year!!) for my Tiguan is insane even though I’ve never had an accident or claimed on my insurance at all. I understand that it’s higher because people my age are more likely to have accidents (I’ve never been involved in one and drive carefully) but for people who have never had to claim on their insurance and who drive carefully it’s unfair. I also understand it’s higher too because I have a Tiguan but I still think insurance prices are insanely high. AIBU to think car insurance prices are insane and it’s unfair?

That’s one of my worries with getting another car. I’m not sure what to do for the best now. Everything about the Tiguan is perfect, it’s just the insurance cost.

Honestly, I would be surprised if there is a huge amount you will be able to do to get the price down by much, and that's because age and experience are dominating the premium, more so than the value of the car or the insurance group. Of course a small car with a little engine will be cheaper but it still won't be in the hundreds. I don't know if it's been mentioned (sorry haven't RTFT) but most insurers ask for you maximum mileage each year; don't overestimate this, if you are doing 5000, tell them 5000, that can help. It's a pity you can't add other drivers, that one can really make a difference. Otherwise, address, whether the car is kept on or off the road can all make some difference. Cheaper cars don't necessarily mean cheaper issurance, especially if they have fewer safety features

It will get cheaper quite quicky as you gain experience without claiming but that's not much help to you now. Sorry its tough.

I had a quick look and Tiguan insurance groups range from 11 to 32 so if you are prepared to change the car you could certainly get the same model with a different spec in a much lower group. HTH

Definitely worth looking at other cars that will meet your needs. You need one with a much lower insurance group. And don't forget to pay annually if you can as that way you will avoid any interest payments. I have a separate savings account for my annual bills and I just pay so much a month into it, then there is enough to pay the bill when it arrives.

Are you the member of any groups which may be offered discounts if you ask? Trade union, NHS, ex forces, or other connections?

Look at the comparison websites but go to the actual company whose deal looks the best on a comparison website. Sometimes the feeling the comparison site gets from the insurance company makes it cheaper going directly.

You also need to compare different companies for insurance costs . Every single year, or you’ll always pay more.

I’m just having another look at more insurance companies now.

I do pay annually

I’ve just found another insurer quoting £1,800 for my Tiguan without a blackbox, do you think that’s as low as I’m going to get? It’s lower than with my current insurer

That's good. I know so many people who pay monthly and just don't realise how much the interest adds onto the premium.

That’s why I didn’t pay monthly and went with annually instead.

That’s what I’m doing this time and I will in future too

Is it probably going to be better to keep the car I currently have then? I am looking at other cars too but I don’t know what to do for the best now

Maybe not smaller, but you could certainly get cheaper. Not just price you pay for it, but also research which cars are cheaper to repair, i.e. parts etc. You could also get cheaper by buying older, which again, reduces insurance premiums.

I’m having a look at these now.

This. Prices are risk based. Insurers barely make any money from car insurance.

Of course you are being unreasonable. Insurance costs are a competitive business. You have the option to shop around and get quotes to compare.

You have all the control. You choose the car, you choose the miles, you choose the circumstances (Home location, parking, security). They just put all that into their computer and spit out a figure. If its expensive its either your situation or you are not shopping around enough.

For comparison my DS is 23 and has had insurance since 17. He drives a high value, high power, pretty new BMW. It costs him about £1000 per year but he has it parked on our drive at night, its limited to 7,000mls per year and he hasnt had a claim in 6 years.

I don’t know what to do about the car. Not sure if I should just keep my current car or try to sell it and get another car that may be cheaper to insure.

i don’t think I’m eligible for any discounts on the car insurance but I’ll have to check.

If you go on auto trader and find a car that you might be interested in, you can use the details to run a quote through the comparison sites so you’ll know the cost.

better to check before making any decision. As no point selling your car if the insurance on another one isn’t loads cheaper

Also, you may be able to lower it if you have an experienced second driver. My dd did. It has to be a genuine second driver though-although I have my own car so only used it rarely.

I don’t have anyone I can add as a second driver

That’s what I’m doing but I’m not sure if it’s going to be worth it for me to get another car or not

If I sell my car and buy the Ford the insurance is a couple of hundred less, that’s not going to be worth it is it?

The value of your car doesn’t matter it’s more the fact they may have to pay an expensive claim from another driver if you hit something expensive. I’m 46 and drive an suv and my insurance is £300 a year but that’s been built up over almost 30 years.