BUYING car insurance 21 days before a new policy starts could save drivers £570 - and almost halve their bill. An investigation by MoneySavingExpert found that locking in to a new deal three weeks early is the ideal time to get the most for your money. For a typical policy that costs £1,156 on the day of renewal costs £589 21 days earlier - saving motorists £567. But it doesn't always pay to be organised though because the investigation also found that getting your insurance too early could also mean that you're overpaying by hundreds. On average, a policy bought 30 days in advance - the earliest you can usually get a quote on comparison sites - could cost motorists £531 MORE than holding off for another nine days and buying at the 21 day mark. MSE asked a number of insurers why there was a massive price difference and they said that it's all down to risk. Someone who leaves renewing their policy until the last minute is seen as a higher risk - some insurers … [Read more...] about Best day to buy car insurance revealed – and drivers could chop £570 off bills
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New UK driver laws: What’s changing plus what you need to do
New changes to UK laws are set to have a big impact on UK drivers when they come into place this month. From learners on the motorway to stricter MOTs, there's a lot to take in. We've teamed up with the experts at Halfords to give our readers the lowdown on everything you need to know. Our team have been through the official information and below are some of the most important things to remember. Get your car in shape before the MOT The new rules for MOTs introduced this month mean that there are new categorisation for problems. The new MOT system uses the following classifications: * Dangerous : this is a fail and you are not allowed to drive the car. * Major : this is a fail but you can drive to a garage to have the issue fixed. * Minor : the car has passed but there are issues that need fixing. The car isn't dangerous or polluting the environment. * Advisory : the car has passed but the issue could become more serious in future - monitor and repair if necessary * Meet the standard: … [Read more...] about New UK driver laws: What’s changing plus what you need to do
New UK driver laws: here’s what’s changing plus what you need to do now
New changes to UK laws are set to have a big impact on UK drivers when they come into place this month. From learners on the motorway to stricter MOTs, there's a lot to take in. We've teamed up with the experts at Halfords to give Mirror readers the lowdown on everything you need to know. Our team have been through the official information and below are some of the most important things to remember. Get your car in shape before the MOT The new rules for MOTs introduced this month mean that there are new categorisation for problems. The new MOT system uses the following classifications: * Dangerous : this is a fail and you are not allowed to drive the car. * Major : this is a fail but you can drive to a garage to have the issue fixed. * Minor : the car has passed but there are issues that need fixing. The car isn't dangerous or polluting the environment. * Advisory : the car has passed but the issue could become more serious in future - monitor and repair if necessary * Meet the … [Read more...] about New UK driver laws: here’s what’s changing plus what you need to do now
All you need to know about potholes
Potholes are the scourge of every driver and are a problem that is only getting worse. They are even more dangerous to cyclists and motorcyclists, with Roger Hamer, 83, killed in March 2016 when thrown off a push bike. His inquest heard government guidelines that relaxed rules on pothole repairs could lead to more cyclist deaths. Some country roads have so many potholes they may have to be permanently closed, it was claimed yesterday. And insurer Liverpool Victoria revealed they have caused 48% of car damage claims in the last year. But how is a pothole created – and how can we tackle the crisis? What causes potholes? The quick answer is weather, but they become more of an issue if roads are badly maintained. Potholes form when water penetrates cracks in the road, either eroding or freezing then expanding - leading to bigger cracks developing. Road expert and chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance Rick Green says: “The risk from heavy rain and flooding is particularly … [Read more...] about All you need to know about potholes
The mind-blowing cost of learning to drive – and how much you need to save to get on the road
THE incredible cost of learning to drive has been revealed - and you should start saving as soon as you're born. Teens looking to get behind the wheel need to shell out £1,625 before they're fully qualified, according to a new study. And for a 17-year-old that means saving £8 a week from the moment they enter the world. That includes getting a provisional licence, taking professional driving lessons, getting insured on a parents car to practice and taking the practical and theory tests. The mind-blowing cost is before you've then had to buy your first car and get insured on it. Young driver insurer Marmalade estimates this can run to almost £7,000 once you've bought the car, insured it, taxed it and serviced it. The cost of learning to drive Provisional licence: £34 Learner driver insurance: £156.12 (90- day policy with Marmalade based on a 17-year-old) Driving lessons: £1,314 (45 x hours at £29.20 with British School of Motoring) Revision materials … [Read more...] about The mind-blowing cost of learning to drive – and how much you need to save to get on the road