Blog Archives

Consider buying a "written off" car

10/8/2018

In a previous blog, I said there were four categories for "insurance write-offs".

Pictures here illustrate cars damaged to different extents under the new categorisations.

Written-off cars are simply ones which an insurance company doesn't think it's economic to repair. It doesn't mean they can't be, or shouldn't be (unless someone died in it, or it couldn't be made safe again).

So, a written-off car will be cheaper because fewer people want to drive a car previously damaged. But bear in mind that fewer people will want it when you sell, so expect a lower price.

And your insurer MIGHT charge (a lot) more if they think it's not been properly repaired.

"Alert & smooth"

8/8/2018

Want to summer-ise driving in two words? How about these two?

And a refreshing picture, from Aikido. To help the words ...stick.

Renew your insurance 21 days early, and SAVE

2/8/2018

With car insurance, like comedy, it seems timing is everything. MomeySavingExpert.com analysed 18m+ quotes from Jan to May (after requesting data from Compare The Market, Confused & MoneySupermarket) and were shocked to discover huge price variances depending on when you get a policy.

The optimum time is 21 days before the new policy starts (which will be at renewal for most). Too early or too late and the price shoots up, as this graph shows. In fact, a typical policy would cost an avg £1,156 on renewal day, but £589 three weeks earlier.

When MSE challenged insurers about it, some thankfully were open. LV told us: "One factor is the gap between the date the quote is requested and the renewal date. Our historic claims data shows riskier drivers renew their policies nearer to renewal.".