Renewing Car Insurance? Find Ways to Save on Your Next Premium

Is it time for you to renew your car insurance and save? Here you can get a better understanding of what car insurance covers (including covering what is comprehensive car insurance versus the others) and how to save on your next premium. This will come in handy while either renewing your car insurance as is or switching car insurers altogether.

Many people don’t compare car insurance providers when it’s time to renew their car insurance policy. We suggest you take that time – or you might miss out on taking advantage of big car insurance discounts.

If you’re unhappy with your current car insurance policy and would like to find a cheaper policy, it might be time to switch. To save more and score a lower premium, here are some of our top tips…

#1 Compare policies properly

Even though it’s relatively easy to get online and compare one policy to another, many of us don’t. This is especially the case if we’re busy with work, life, and family. However, not doing so can be a costly mistake. Nowadays, comparing quotes from different car insurance companies is as easy as clicking a couple of buttons.

By comparing policies, such as evaluating and determining what features are most important to you, you can make an informed decision. When you look at that versus being stuck with an expensive car insurance policy for a year or longer, an hour or so spent exploring car insurance policies is totally doable!

Read our article on how to compare car insurance and save money.

#2 Make the most of discounts

Ensure the information you give the provider is accurate then see what you driver status and lifestyle can achieve for you. Like for when you’re a first time customer, you take out insurance for more than one car (or pet), you pay in full upfront, and so on.

Additionally, if you haven’t claimed on your insurance in the past few years you may qualify for a no-claims bonus. Unsurprisingly this can significantly reduce your premium too.

To maximise your discounts, be sure you give your insurance provider the most accurate picture of your circumstances.

#3 Adjust your excess if necessary

You may want to consider adjusting the excess payable if you’re a safe driver and you’re less likely to make an at-fault claim.

Going for a higher excess will lower your premium. In other words, you’d pay less for the policy while enjoying the same coverage and benefits. Conversely, choosing a lower one will increase your premium.

Read up on how to choose your excess to help yourself resolve the high excess vs low excess debate.

#4 Get rid of unnecessary add-ons

You may find when revisiting your policy that you have bells and whistles you no longer need. For example, you may not need a replacement vehicle in the event of an accident because your driving needs have changed. You might now have multiple commuting options.

You may be able to save money if you remove various features from your policy.

We offer a number of flexible options at PD Insurance because flexibility allows you to tailor your cover to your unique needs. Doing so could very well save you money on your car insurance policy.

FAQ

Have a look below at some of most frequently asked questions we hear:

What does comprehensive car insurance cover?

You can benefit from comprehensive car insurance if you want to protect your vehicle for work and for play – not just others’ cars and property. It’ll even protect your vehicle if it’s sitting in your driveway (think weather events and theft).

With this wider cover, if your car experiences accidental damage you’ll be well safeguarded. Your insurer will organise getting you back on the road as quickly as possible, giving you more time to focus on doing what you love.

You may find comprehensive car insurance isn’t expensive when you compare our premium to others in the market. Ensure you’re covered for the basics, then choose from a variety of optional benefits if necessary. 

Renew your car insurance and save with optional add-ons

With our comprehensive car insurance, you only pay for the optional extras that are important to you. Choose one or more of these to extend your cover:

• Roadside Assist – from a low price per year, you’ll have 24/7 Roadside Assistance at your fingertips.
• Excess Buster – if you need to pay a standard excess, we’ll take care of it for you (once a year).
• Contents Cover – insurance for valuable items in your car that are damaged during an incident or stolen.
• Windscreen & Window Glass – coverage for one excess free glass claim per year, up to a certain amount.
• Hire Car – a hire car while your car’s being repaired or replaced.

What is third party car insurance?

It’s possible to be confused by the term “third party” as it’s used in different types of insurance cover. With the third party insurance PD offers, you’ll be covered for third party property damage caused by your vehicle. You can also choose a little extra cover, for your vehicle.

We offer two different types:

1. Third Party Property Damage: Cover for damage you might cause to other people’s property – not damage caused to your car.
2. Third Party Fire and Theft: Cover for damage you might cause to other people’s property PLUS cover for loss or damage to your car caused by fire or theft.

For more information about third party cover, please refer to the Types of Cover section in our Product Disclosure Statement.

What is excess in car insurance?

Excess payments are fixed mandatory amounts you pay when making a claim. In other words, it’s a kind of deposit that you contribute to your car’s repair costs, and your insurer pays the rest.

For example, suppose the cost of repairing your car is $2,500 and your standard excess is $500, then you pay $500 and your insurer pays the remaining $2,000.

Excess is a mandatory component of pretty much every car insurance policy. However, as we’ve covered off earlier in this article, you can choose whether to pay a higher premium to reduce your excess – within certain limits determined by the insurer.

Not sure what your standard excess is? Find it in your current insurance certificate (if you’re a PD Insurance member, you can access it via your account online).

There are other types of excess too, depending on who the drivers of your car are. Some better known ones are unlisted driver excess, young driver excess and inexperienced driver excess.

Renew your car insurance and save with extra info

Here are some other articles you might find useful if you’re looking for car insurance-related information:

1. Is Your Car Insurance Valid if Your Drivers Licence has Expired?
2. New For Old Car Insurance: What’s It All About?
3. Does My Car Insurance Cover Towing?
4. Does Car Insurance Pay Even If An Accident Is Your Fault?
5. No Claim Bonus … Is It A Bamboozle?
6. New For Old Car Insurance: What’s It All About?
7. Why Is My Car Insurance Going Up?

Dot your i’s and cross your t’s

If you’ve decided to switch insurers, be sure the car insurance policy you choose covers everything you need as well as being the right price. That’s a big part of knowing how to renew your car insurance and save. It needs to be the right choice over the longer term.

Read our ‘How to Save Money on Car Insurance‘ article for more information on all the factors that contribute towards your insurance premium. Are there other ways you can save?

Our flexible options and added extras ensure you can customise your policy to get a great price at PD Insurance. Click below for a quote.