Getting a quote – frequently asked questions
Will you credit check me when I apply for car insurance?
As a responsible lender we are committed to ensuring that our customers can afford the products that we offer. To do this we complete an affordability assessment, which includes a credit search that will leave a record on your credit file.
When we provide a quote, we do a 'soft search' of your credit report. This gives us a snapshot of your key information without affecting your credit score or leaving a credit footprint for other lenders to see.
If you decide to purchase your insurance, and apply for credit through paying by our insurance premium finance instalment facilities, we will give details of your account and how you conduct it to our credit reference agency. This will leave a record on your credit file converting the ‘soft search’ in to what is known as a ‘hard search’, meaning it will be visible to other lenders and could affect you if you apply for credit in future.
If you borrow and do not repay in full and on time, we may cancel your insurance and your insurance finance. We will inform our credit reference agency who will record the cancellation of the credit agreement.
Is it safe to use my credit or debit card on your site?
Yes. We use the latest security measures to keep your money and personal information safe online. This includes:
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firewall protection – this stops third parties getting access and keeps your account information safe
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time-out – this automatically signs you out after 10 minutes of inactivity
Do I have to list claims for things that were not my fault when I’m getting a quote?
Yes, you’ll need to let us know about every claim you’ve made in the past, and we’ll ask you for specific details – including who was at fault - during the quote process.
Can I get cover if I have driving convictions?
Yes, usually, but it may be more difficult and a bit more expensive. Just call us for a quote or get a quote online, and we’ll check with our panel of insurers and give you our best price.
How can I get the best price for car insurance?
There are a few things that can help you bring the cost of your car insurance down. Here are some tips.
It starts with the car
The type, value and engine size all make a difference. Generally, you’ll pay less on insurance for a smaller car. It also depends which car insurance group your car is in. There’s more on this under What are car insurance groups?
Pay more excess
If you add voluntary excess to your policy, you can bring down the cost of your insurance. But you will pay more if you make a claim, so make sure you can afford the extra cost if that happens.
Have a look at our guide to car insurance excess for more information.
Only pay for what you need
We offer comprehensive as well as third party, fire and theft insurance. Make sure you compare the two and work out what you need. And don’t forget our optional extras.
But beware of false economy. Third party might be cheaper upfront, but it only covers someone else’s car if you have an accident. If you can’t afford to fix or replace your own car if it’s damaged, comprehensive might be the best option.
Make sure your car is safe
Park your car off the road – or better still, in a garage. Alarms, trackers and immobilisers can also bring the cost down. If your car is more secure, there’s less risk, so your cover may be cheaper.
Does keeping my car in a garage help to lower my insurance cost?
Yes – the more secure your car is, the lower your insurance will be. So things like alarms, immobilisers and trackers all help as well.
Are car insurance prices affected by age?
Usually yes, but it depends on the insurer.
If you call us for a quote or get a quote online, we’ll check with our panel of insurers and give you our best price.
Age is one of the most significant factors insurers take into account when you get a quote. Younger drivers have less experience behind the wheel, and are statistically more likely to have an accident. So they generally pay more for their cover. Older drivers usually pay the least for their cover, as the costs of their claims are generally quite low.
How can I lower my insurance costs as a young driver?
We've put together a Young and new drivers car insurance guide with some tips on lowering the cost of your insurance.
How can I get cheaper insurance as a new driver?
Have a look at our advice for younger drivers – How can I get cheaper insurance as a young driver? Or our Young and new driver’s car insurance guide. You'll find lots of tips for bringing the cost down.
Can I retrieve a quote?
When you get a quote from us, we save the information you gave us to get your quote, but not the quote itself. That’s because insurance prices constantly change. So you can retrieve the information you put in, to save you re-entering it, but we’ll give you a new, more up-to-date quote so you get the best available price for that time.