During these tough financial times, we are all looking at ways we can save ourselves money each month. Reducing essential bills is never that easy, but through shopping around for the best quotes or changing your insurance provider, car insurance might just be the place to start.

If we calculated what we spend per month, the majority of it is necessary but leaves us with little cash leftover to enjoy ourselves. Car insurance is essential, but we might be paying more for it than we actually need to.

It has never been so simple to reduce our motor cover either. Comparison sites dominate the internet and these will work out the best deals for your particular needs. All you have to do is put your details in to the website, click a button and hundreds of competitive quotes from a vast array of insurance companies will be there for you to look through. It can take just a few minutes to save you loads of money.

If your premium goes up or you are displeased with the service you are receiving from your current insurer, look into what other providers can offer. Car insurance is a big expense each year, so make sure you are getting the best deal out there.
The rates for motor cover can be quite changeable so comparing regularly is important. If you have recently bought a new car, moved house or got married/divorced, now is the time to act.

Some excellent research by tyre maker Michelin has revealed that drivers in the UK are losing out on more than £440million pounds by driving with the under-inflated tyres. An incredible figure.

Our website is all about saving fuel, and we have always said that checking your tyres is one of the easiest ways to make a difference, according to Michelin more than 370 million litres of fuel are being wasted each year due to under inflated tyres, I think this proves our point!

Until October this year a Michelin tyre specialist team are touring the UK and Ireland offering advice and correcting the pressure on peoples tyres. They are also giving away free glovebox guides, so keep your eyes peeled for them!

Here is also a supporting video on what they are doing:

So next time you have a spare minute go and check your pressure, if it’s low get pumping!

Image from sxc, by ‘sciucaness’.

More motorists are driving around in new year-10 plate vehicles as new car sales for 2010 have already surpassed the poor figures during the whole of 2009, thanks mainly to the Governments car scrappage scheme.

However, a new publication called ‘The Bangernomics Bible’ informs a person that driving around in a 10-year-old banger also has its benefits.

The book is full of useful tips for running an older car for next to nothing. Author James Ruppert, a motoring journalist and former car salesperson said, “There has been a growing trend for car buyers to convince themselves that it is a matter of urgency to replace their cars every three years or sometimes less, with another new car.”

The theory behind the book is trying to encourage people to buy and run an older vehicle, even if they can afford a new one, or keep the car they have for as long as possible.

The logic behind this is that after being on the road for five years or more, the vehicle has already lost the vast majority of its value and it is close to hitting the bottom of its depreciation in value ‘curve’. According to Rupperts theory, it means the car will not lose anything close to the depreciation value as a new or nearly new car would.

The managing director of a car fleet provider said of the concept, “For my last three cars I have tried to buy it new and turn it around every year, which cost about €2,000 each time. However, the last new car I bought, in 2007, was a Range Rover Sport and it absolutely nose-dived. I am three years in now. I have about €45,000 outstanding on it and its now worth about €35,000 in the market. It is an interesting concept but it assumes that the motivation behind buying a car is purely financial. There is a lot of other emotional stuff that goes with buying a new car.”

One motorist from Portlaoise owns a 1996 Nissan Micra that was bought in 2002 for €3,500 with almost 40,000 miles on the clock. Eights years on and with 134,000 miles behind it, the car is still running smoothly, only being serviced once a year.

The car owner estimates that is costs less than €600 a year to run in tax, servicing and motor insurance and has no plans to trade it in, despite the scrappage deals that have been on offer. They said, “The way I look at it, it runs perfectly, does what it needs to and is worth very little to anyone else. That whole concept of ‘why fix it if it is not broken’, kind of fits the situation.”

I’ve published two new articles on the main website about the new fuels from Shell, they are called FuelSave and replace their old standard Unleaded and Diesel fuels.

In a nutshell; it costs the same as their old fuel, but means you use less of it = saving you money!

One article is a full report from my day learning about the new fuels. Read about it here: http://www.save-petrol.co.uk/shell-fuelsave-day.php

The second article makes up part of the main tips on the website, the important juicy stuff like ‘how much money can I save’!. Read the article here: http://www.save-petrol.co.uk/cartips/shell-fuelsave.php

Below I’ve put a selection of quick Q and A’s about it.

Questions And Answers

Q: Does it cost more?
A: No, the price at the pumps is the same as their previous generation of fuels. They are already competitive with supermarkets so there is no reason not to use it in my opinion.

Q: Can I buy it anywhere?
A: Only on Shell forecourts, they have over 900 in the UK so it is likely there is one close to you.

Q: How do they know it works?
A: They performed demonstration scenarios such as ‘family drivers’ and ‘professional drivers’ to see how effective it is in real-life situations. Over 8000km was driven in total to test it out. External test laboratories (MIRA) were used to see how it performed. With all this data they have came up with the ‘save up to 1 litre claim’.

Q: Is it only for cars?
A: No, it is for everyone including drivers of trucks, motorcyclists etc.

Q: Does this bring the fuel closer to V-Power?
A: No, they are still completely different, FuelSave is aimed at your regular driver who wants to save money, V-Power is aimed at those with performance cars who want it for the performance improvement. V-Power also costs more, the difference is about 7p per litre (but can vary).

Japanese manufacturers Toyota scooped two awards at the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards, held at the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham, Berkshire.

The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 kept hold of top spot, claiming the prize in the large 4×4 class for the third year in a row, with the Toyota Prius winning the Green Car category.

Thatcham’s Vehicle Security Manager, Mike Briggs said, “It’s great to see Toyota taking first place in both the large 4×4 and the new Green Car categories. Prius demonstrates that consumers concerned about both security and the environment need not compromise. Toyota’s success shows it’s commitment to design-out crime, thereby reducing the risk to insurers and the motoring public.”

The Prius earned top position in the Green Car field for having the lowest emissions among the UK’s top-rated cars for security. This acclaim highlighted the importance that the motorists of today place on a vehicles crime prevention standards and CO2 performance, both for their piece of mind and reducing running costs.

The advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive system of the Prius allows it to be driven using its petrol engine, electric motor or a combination of both. This means the vehicle can achieve its best possible performance, whilst keeping CO2 emissions to just 89g/km.

As a full hybrid, the Prius can run at lower speeds over varying distances using its electric power source alone. Therefore, fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions will be zero.

Now in its eighth generation of motoring, the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has the ability to seat seven passengers, whilst also boasting a range of capabilities. Their stylish management, suspension and drivetrain system, coupled with the secure handling ensures a safe and comfortable ride both on the open road and on rougher terrain.

The British Insurance Vehicle Security awards are intended to raise the awareness of consumers of the best practice in vehicle security and crime prevention. The vehicles are assessed according to the New Vehicle Security Rating Scheme (NVSR), with points being awarded under the two separate categories, the ‘theft from’ and ‘theft of’ the vehicle. The overall winners of each group are those models who achieve the highest scores in each category.

Families in Ireland wishing to save money could consider reducing the number of cars they own, which cuts the amount spent on motor insurance.

Homes with working adults and teens tend to appreciate the freedom and independence that owning vehicles brings. However, depending on the age of those living on the property, cars and their associated costs often proves to be a large expense that some struggle to pay. For example, if you are a younger driver, or are responsible for them, you are likely to be very aware of the higher price paid for motor insurance.

Premiums for both male and female teens are significantly higher than adults who are several years older than them, with men from this age group much more likely to own expensive policies. This is due to the increased number of accidents that young people experience, so firms raise premiums to reflect these statistics. Consequently, household bills will rocket if they take into account car costs associated with teen drivers.

On the other hand, you may also share your home with older drivers who are also required to pay a little more towards their policies once they reach a certain age. Also, if you have been issued with penalty points or other fines, it is likely that your premium will rise accordingly, which can lead to soaring outgoings. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the effect that these instances have on household expenses.

Although teens value their independence, it may be worthwhile to put them on to a parent’s policy rather than buy them their first car straight away. Some insurance firms allow policyholders who have younger drivers to do this, although it may prevent them from building up a no claims bonus as they are not registered as the named motorist. If the younger driver has some experience as a named policyholder and has made no claims, they could find that a different company offers them a discount on their premium for their clean driving record, which is another way to save costs should they go ahead and purchase their own vehicle.

Meanwhile, mature drivers ought to look for policies that reward them for building up a no claims bonus. After several years of motoring without any claims, bonuses can be protected meaning if a collision occurs, you can continue to pay your premiums at the same rate as before the event took place. Experienced car owners who have received fines may like to shop around for their ideal policy. In this instance, you may find that monthly payments towards your premiums are better suited to your finances, as you are able to pay them gradually over the course of a year.

Buying a new or used car is not a decision that is often taken lightly. After buying a house, buying a car is the second largest household expenditure you will make. Therefore, it is always wise to do a little research in order to get it right. Whilst the initial price of the car is important the ongoing expenses are also worth considering. Many people keep their vehicles for a number of years and therefore should be aware of how much the car will cost to run and how fuel efficient it will be.

To help consumers make decisions on these things, a government initiative was introduced in 2005 where all new cars were given fuel economy labels that detailed the estimated running costs of the vehicle, its average fuel consumption and its environmental impact. The labels were designed by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (Low CVP) to be user friendly and to provide motorists with information that would help them choose the right car for them.

The labels are optional and it is up to dealers to sign up to the scheme, but since their introduction a large number of dealers have become involved. This is great news for motorists who are looking to purchase a new car, but did not really hold any relevance to those drivers looking to buy a second hand vehicle. So in August 2009 the scheme was rolled out to include used cars as well. Again participation by the dealers was voluntary and this time there were two levels for dealers to choose from.

The first involves only labelling used cars on their forecourt that are under two years of age. The second involves providing labels for all cars that were manufactured after 2001. The process is simple, with dealers who sign up to take part being issued with an online link from which they can print off the labels for the cars that they have in stock. The labels will be created by the VCA and colour coded to make reading the information easy.

Labels for used cars will also be similar to those for new cars, providing information on the make and model, as well as the vehicles MPG and an estimated fuel consumption level over twelve thousand miles. At present the scheme is not available for private sales although in the future it may be possible for individuals to retrieve this information from the internet before they make a car purchase. So far the response to the scheme by consumers has been positive with many people citing that a lack of information in the past has made choosing the right car more difficult. Nowadays motorists are not just focusing on the initial outlay involved in buying a car, but also the future costs such as fuel, motor insurance and road tax. These labels should provide drivers with a good indication of what these costs are likely to be and therefore whether they can afford the vehicle.

Every year honest drivers have to foot a bill of around €40 each because of uninsured motorists on Ireland’s roads according to the findings of a new survey. It is thought that there are as many as 100,000 uninsured drivers using the roads, which is costing law-abiding motorists about €60 million a year.

John Casey, the head of the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, the company that compensates the victims of drivers without insurance, said that around 5 per cent of motorists on the country’s roads were driving illegally without the necessary insurance. He warned that people who were ignoring the law would be chased through the courts if they were responsible for an accident.

The Motor Insurance Bureau (MIBI) paid out around €62 million in 2008 to people who had been involved in a collision with an uninsured driver. Although figures for 2009 have not yet been audited, it is expected that a rise in the cost of claims will be seen and Mr Casey said that the number of claims had risen over the past few years.

It is estimated that claims involving drivers without car insurance are adding €40 per premium held by law-abiding drivers every year. Although the MIBI is responsible for compensating motorists who have had an accident with an uninsured driver, all insurers pay into this fund, which is a cost borne by insured motorists. The MIBI are able to pursue uninsured drivers through the courts for damages, which is separate to any criminal proceedings that may be taken.

One insurance expert claimed that some motorists were uninsured due to an oversight, but a larger number were willingly ignoring the law to have motor insurance cover. The average insurance policy was €550, but as much as €44 of this figure was made up of the costs incurred for covering uninsured drivers.

There have since been calls for more roadside checks by the Gardai as statistically uninsured cars tended to be higher risk as the cars were often stolen or the vehicle was unregistered and had no National Car Test.

A recent survey which questioned 11,000 motorists revealed that one-in-three drivers had never been stopped by the Gardai and four out of 10 drivers never had to show their driving licence to a Garda.

Car insurance policies that offer benefits to the owners of new vehicles are a wise choice for Irish drivers who are investing in cars that have come straight from the production line.

If you have just made a purchase of this type, you may have put great thought into the decision to opt for a new model of vehicle. Although they are generally more expensive than pre-owned motors, they tend to feature state-of-the-art technology and mechanisms to make driving safer. As well as costing more to buy, motor insurance policies for vehicles of this type are usually more expensive.

When insurers give you a premium, it is based on different factors that consider the risk that your motor may be stolen and the likelihood of you being involved in a collision. Other important factors that are taken into account are the age and model of the car you drive. This is because a company needs to have an idea how much your garage bills will come to if it requires repairing at some stage.

Newer vehicles generally mean more advanced parts and paint, which can lead to higher premium prices than those allocated to slightly older cars. When it comes to buying policies, there are several different types available, but some tend to be more suited to the drivers of cars that have come from the production line. Third Party Fire and Theft may seem like the more affordable option as it provides a good level of protection from some events, such as supplying you with funds if your motor is stolen.

However, these policies do not provide financing to fix damage to your motor that has occurred during a collision that you are responsible for; meaning costly garage bills for your vehicle are self-funded. To get more coverage, you may like to opt for comprehensive insurance as this pays out to pay repair fees for your car and the one you hit. Hidden in the small print of some policies is an additional benefit for new vehicle owners called new car replacement.

When offered by firms, this is usually included as a part of Comprehensive and Third Party Fire and Theft policies, but you can inquire whether it is featured in your potential policy before buying. Once you have bought a policy with this benefit, you have peace of mind that if your vehicle is stolen without being located, it will be replaced by a similar new model. In addition, if there has been extensive damage to your vehicle then this benefit can see you also receiving a replacement vehicle.

It is obviously a very important part of your car, so not something you want to ‘go cheaper’ on. The prices of them vary, there is no one set cost. As guideline expect to pay anywhere from £30 to £180 (but expect it to be at the lower end of the range).

First
Don’t just presume you can fit any old battery. There are 2 different types, ‘standard’ and ‘calcium’. So first you need to find out what type of battery your car needs.

How Do I Do that?
On the halfords website they have a very cool tool which allows you to enter your Registration and it will tell you, alternatively you can enter your car details manually. Use the tool here: Halfords website.

Want To Save Money?
Once you have found out what battery you need, you could just go with Halfords to save yourself time. But if you want to save a few quid make a note of the battery and then shop around online. There are many places selling them, simple google searches can start you off, also check eBay as there are lots of good companies selling on there.

Disposal Of Old One
Remember if you are doing the swap yourself then you need to dispose of the old one responsibly. You can’t just take it to a landfill site. The batteries can be recycled so you need to take it to an approved waste disposal company. Many shops that sell car batteries will take your old one so it is worth asking them.

Image used is from sxc, copyright owned by respective owner.