Insuring your car has reached new premium cost levels and figures suggest that it has risen by 50% over a two year period. Much of the increase has been put down to the explosion in whiplash claims, which it suggested adds around £90 to every premium. Now more than ever it pays to be vigilant when renewing your policy and there are some simple rules that you should follow.
Firstly you should not wait until renewal time to save, start looking around in advance and remember you can opt out of your present policy at any time, but you may have to pay a fee – it could be worth it. Be careful about accepting an offer to pay monthly, it is after all a loan from the insurer and could have an APR of as much as 30%. It might be cheaper to pay by credit card, one that gives you a 0% interest over a year. Surprising to many, third party is often more expensive than fully comprehensive, choosing comprehensive can make some insurers see you as a lower risk, so check this out.
Finally remember that if you own a car you need insurance even if you do not intend to drive it. Last year, rules changed to say every vehicle must be insured, even sat on your driveway, unless you have a valid Statutory Off-Road Notification.
The European motor show circuit gets started with the Geneva show on March 6th and already we have word of a few of the new and exciting cars which will be on display. Many of the cars seen will not be officially released until later in the year, some could even be two or three years away from production if they ever reach that stage. Naturally some may come onto the used car market later in the year, but it’s still nice to see what the manufacturers have in store for us. There will be concept cars of course and hybrid models, but it is the popular makes that most will look forward to seeing.
Ford are exhibiting their Ford B-Max, this is the production-ready version of Ford’s compact MPV, complete with what they describe as ‘ingenious and unrivalled technology’, such as a new design of door with integrated B-pillar. A New SUV from Vauxhall, the Mokka will be available with two- or four-wheel drive and goes on sale at the end of the year. The replacement for the Nissan Note, which in keeping with the latest range of strange names from Nissan, is to be called the Invitation. This is a new model in the compact hatchback segment that could fit in between the Micra and Juke. Skoda’s VW Up-based city car, the Citigo, gets the five-door treatment – it goes on sale in May. The 500 ‘Large’ is for those who want a 500 but need a bit more space. The five-seater will be available with two-cylinder and four-cylinder petrol engines, and a four-cylinder diesel.
The year 2012 looks as though it could produce some interesting new cars for us to look forward to in the future.
