5 hacks to make your driving experience cheaper
Owning and driving a car is notoriously expensive, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming financial burden. There are things you can do to make the whole on-road experience a lot cheaper, so here are five hacks that should take away some of the pressure.
1. Take out short-term car insurance
If you drive every day or several times a week consistently, this won’t be the right option for you. But if you only drive occasionally or have a car for emergencies, a 12-month policy which automatically renews each year could be wasting your funds. The good news is, by comparing short-term car insurance policies, you can insure your vehicle as and when you need for the best price. Many policies allow you to choose different lengths of cover ranging anywhere from 1 day to 180 days.
2. Shop around for insurance
As noted above, comparing insurance prices is key if you want to save money. This is particularly important during renewal periods as you might be able to get a better deal than if you simply let your exiting insurance plan renew automatically. Don’t forget to read the fine print, however, to see what each insurance policy entails as companies sometimes have slightly different offerings.
3. Buy the right car
When it comes to making your driving experience cheaper, buying the right car plays an important role. Firstly, each car is placed into an insurance group of between 1 and 50. While those in group 1 are relatively cheap to insure, cars in band 50 can cost you a whole lot more. Often, premiums sore if your car has a big engine, is not eco-friendly or has some kind of rare design. Therefore, if you’re looking for a new car online or are visiting forecourts, always keep insurance prices in mind.
4. Improve how you drive
Having a Black Box installed into your car can reduce the cost of your insurance – if you’re a good driver. It monitors your performance out on the road keeping tabs of speed, braking, acceleration and a whole lot more. Prove yourself to be a responsible motorist and your insurance company could see you as a lower risk and therefore drop prices which will make your experience cheaper. This is particularly important for young drivers who are often placed in a high-risk category due to lack of experience and therefore charged more for insurance.
5. Go electric
Electric and hybrid motoring is becoming increasingly popular helping to protect the environment and reduce bills in many ways. Firstly, electricity is less expensive than gas or petrol. On a national average, driving an EV will cost you half as much than if you travelled the same distance in a conventional vehicle. What’s more, many cities in the UK now charge vehicles that don’t meet emissions standards to enter. This can leave a dent in your pocket if you have to travel into emission-free zones daily for work, making EV vehicles more appealing.
With the above tips, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of road travel without going over budget.
