With car insurance premiums set to rise again this year, we could all do with a little help getting the maximum value for money out of our premiums.

The fact is that many drivers are still paying more than they have to for their car insurance and could save hundreds by following a few simple steps at renewal time. So, here are the top ten ways to save some cash on your car insurance in 2008. Try them when renewal time rolls around this year.

1. Shop around instead of automatically renewing.

One of the biggest mistakes that insurance buyers make is assuming that their insurer will give them the same great deal this year that they got last year. Insurers re-evaluate their positions every year, and last year's quote that was one of the lowest in the market could easily become this year's highest. Get multiple quotes from at least two price comparison sites that don't make assumptions about your insurance needs.

2. Keep mum about the quotes.

When approaching your short-list of insurers, don't tell them how much you've been quoted by other insurers. An insurer or provider isn't interested in giving you their best price - just beating the quotes you've got from others. If the provider knows you have a quote of £300, they aren't going to jump in with their best price of £250. They'll undercut it by as little as possible to keep as much of the profit they can.

3. Act the part.

If you're using a broker for getting quotes in person, consider how you dress and act. Insurance is a money game. If you look and act rich, the agent might quote you high, assuming you can afford it. If you look and act poor, the broker might assume that you have a bad payment record and quote you high to get rid of you.

4. Be likeable.

Courtesy is one of the most surprising money-saving tips on the list. A broker has contacts that you don't have, and a good one can scout around to find you the best deals. When you have rapport with a broker and they like you, he or she is more likely to go the extra mile on your behalf.

5. Practice reluctance.

Use a little shopping psychology when you're shopping for quotes. The more pleased you sound with your current insurance provider, the harder others will work to win your business. If you sound like you really don't want to leave, they're likely to cut straight to their lowest quotes to grab a loyal customer like you.

6. Be careful about the questions you answer.

Questions like "what have you budgeted for insurance?" are designed to find out what the market will bear. The insurer, broker or provider might as well be asking "how much can we charge you?"

7. Avoid the bargaining game before it starts.

When you hear "come back if you get a better quote", it really means "I can give you a lower quote". Get to the point and save yourself some time by telling the insurance provider up front that you don't have time to play games. You're going to choose the cheapest quote from your first and only round of comparisons.

8. Know what the quote covers.

A quote might be the cheapest, but does it offer the same features and cover the same things? Make sure that you're comparing oranges with oranges - or at least with grapefruits.

9. Ask for a freebie.

Most insurers will charge you £20 for legal cover when it costs them about £2. You can save that £20 by offering the provider a bone - ask them to throw in legal cover for free, and you promise you'll come back if you get a better quote elsewhere. Most insurers will jump at the second chance.

10. Give your insurer a chance.

Once you've got three or four quotes short-listed, ring up your current car insurance provider and ask if they can beat it. Many times, they'll be willing to shave another £10-20 off to keep your business.

Car Insurance – Ease Claim Filing Headaches

Rather have your toenails torn out, than file a claim? Well, you are not alone, after an accident or car theft, most people do not want to suffer through a long-winded claims procedure.

The procedure for claims after a car accident is supposed to be straightforward. After you make the claim, preferably on a comprehensible form , an adjuster estimates the costs to restore your car and the insurance company writes you a check for that amount. Regrettably, the process isn't always so simple for millions of people who file claims each year.

Here are some things you can do to get claims settled as fast and as smoothly as possible:

Carry a disposable camera in your car to take photos of any accident scene. Record the location, time, weather, road conditions, etc. of the accident. Memory tends to fade, so notes taken on the spot are valuable for future questions.

Conversely you can make a rough sketch of damage to vehicles and property, and describe any apparent injuries and other factors, if you do not have a camera. Get and keep a copy of the police report for yourself as well.

Next call your insurer immediately: If you don't, the company could void your policy. Follow up in writing as well to ensure that your rights are protected under law. Reread your policy- Know what coverage you have and don't have so you know what you can claim. Request from your agent before filing details on the claims process and what information the company may need. Make sure you check deadlines as well. Some policies have time limits for filing claims, submitting bills and even resolving disputes.

If your auto is stolen, your initial response should be similar to any auto accident. First, have a police officer visit the scene and file a police report. Try to have your license plate number and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for the police. If the Registration is stolen along with the car, try to obtain a duplicate from the Transport Authorities without delay. Then notify your car insurance company right away. Auto insurance claims for stolen vehicles always take longer to process, because the police are given a reasonable amount of time to locate the stolen car. Stay in touch with the police regarding the development of the investigation. If the car is not traced after a realistic period, get a report from the police to that effect. If the vehicle is traced, tell the company immediately.

Then be sure to track your claim: acquire your claim number and contact the insurance company or claims adjuster for updates. Some car insurers have the ability to let you track your claim's condition online. Sometimes writing a letter to the adjuster or a supervisor can get things moving. Be persistent, but not unbearable.

Double check your policy for rental coverage to have transport while waiting. If the mishap wasn't your fault, you can get a rental auto while your car is being repaired, paid for by the other driver's insurance company. If the accident was your fault, you need to have rental reimbursement coverage. If your car was stolen and you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer will probably award you a specific amount each day for a rental.

This way when you need to claim on your car insurance, you know that everything will be dealt with quickly and smoothly.

Receive a free online auto insurance quote that will save you money by visiting www.your-car-insurance.biz, a reliable auto insurance website that provides auto insurance information and resources.

The Top Reasons Why You Want To Insure Your Car

Why should you pay car insurance? It's often very expensive, and you're a safe driver, right? You're practically giving money away. And for what benefit?

Well, even if you are the world's safest and most conscientious driver, you absolutely need car insurance. Going without it is irresponsible, dangerous, and it's against the law. Every province in Canada have laws regarding car insurance, and the punishments for not having it are no joke. You can get an expensive fine, damage your driving record, lose your driver's license, get your car impounded or even go to jail for driving without insurance. Coupled with another offense like speeding or running a stop-sign, it's even worse.

But you're a perfect driver, right? You don't speed, run stop signs and red lights, park illegally, drive without a seatbelt or make illegal turns. You have nothing to worry about, right?

Wrong. Even if your driving is beyond impeccable, you are on the road with other people who might make poor decisions. Maybe they are distracted, intoxicated, over-tired, talking on a cell phone or just plain careless. Maybe they forget to check their rear-view mirrors before changing lanes or they neglect to use their turn signals.

As careful and vigilant you may be, every second you spend behind the wheel you are at the mercy of other drivers. Tens of thousands of automobile accidents happen every day. If you get into something as insignificant as a fender-bender and get caught without insurance, you will find yourself in a very difficult and expensive situation.

Also, insuring your car has never been easier. There are dozens of internet sites devoted to helping you find out what type of insurance is best for you. Many sites will even generate quotes from multiple companies to help you determine which one is best for you. Using the internet, it's possible to find a good insurance policy and open it in less than an hour.

If you still think car insurance it too expensive, consider this: You can adjust your insurance coverage and drastically lower your monthly payments. You might consider using liability-only insurance. If you get this type of insurance, damages you do to another person's car in an accident are covered, but your own vehicle is not. If you have an older-low cost car, this might be the best option for you. Or you could consider raising your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you would have to pay if you got into an accident. When you increase that amount, you reduce your monthly payments. If you have money saved up and are a safe driver, this is a great option. You could save a lot of money.

Ultimately, the decision to have car insurance is yours. The government can make rules that encourage you to get car insurance, but it cannot make you lift the phone or get on the computer and sign up. If you still think you don't need auto insurance, think about what would happen to you if you got into an accident. Could you afford to not only lose your car but have to pay for damages to another person's car as well? Could you afford to pay a stiff fine, lose your driver's license, your car or spend time in jail? Give yourself peace of mind and get insured. You won't regret it.

If you have auto insurance you can ensure financial security and peace of mind for yourself and for your family. Having adequate coverage ensures total peace of mind.

Choosing A Car Insurance Provider Takes Intelligence

Choosing a car insurance provider is not like buying a sandwich or a new pair of shoes. Car insurance is a big commitment, a large expense, and potentially a major influence on your life. Choosing the wrong insurer or benefits package might cause you to pay far more than necessary, or even cost you thousands of dollars in the event of an accident.

First off, use every resource at hand when choosing an insurance provider. Ask your friends what company they use, but remember insurance premiums are highly individualized, and one company that gives someone you know a great deal might not do so for you.

There are dozens of popular internet sites devoted to car insurance advice. Do your research. See what the best options are for you, and follow up on them. Other websites will generate quotes for you from multiple insurers. Using these sites is a great way to see how different companies compare. You'll save a great deal of money by taking your time and finding the insurance company that offers you the most affordable package.

Almost every reputable company has a toll-free number you can call where you can talk to a representative. Don't be shy about using these numbers. If you have a question, call and ask. Any company that is worth considering should take the time to help you find out what you need to know. Plus, talking with a representative will give you a taste of how well a particular company treats their customers.

Once you find an insurance provider that offers you a reasonable rate, be sure the company is reputable and the insurance package you are considering is worthwhile. Do a quick internet search and find out what people are saying about the company. Are you finding lots of negative comments? Are they treating their customers unfairly? Be sure the company of your choice has a good reputation. One company might seem like the best option because of its low price, but if they have poor customer service or have a policy of refusing claims, you may not be happy in the long run.

Another important thing to consider when choosing a car insurance provider is what type of insurance you want. Different companies cater to different needs. Some serve people after a bargain. Others serve more demanding customers who are willing to spend more.

Know what your needs are. Are you driving an aging economy car? Then you might not want a full coverage package that costs a lot of money. Consider buying liability-only insurance from a low-cost insurer. Are you driving a brand-new luxury automobile? Then find an upscale insurer that will give you top-to-bottom comprehensive coverage.

Remember, nearly all provinces in Canada legally require drivers to have some form of auto insurance. Insurance is not to be taken lightly. Ignoring it altogether can cause you to get your car impounded, lose your driver's license or even be thrown in jail.

Taking the time to buy car insurance from a reputable, quality insurance company can potentially save you thousands of dollars and lots of legal trouble.

There is a lot of choice when it comes to picking an auto insurance provider. The biggest decision to be made is whether or not to utilize a broker, or to purchase insurance directly from an agent. The best way to ensure adequate coverage is to get a lot of quotes before you make a decision.